Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1908-12-24
CHAPTER V.-(Continued.)

w
SNOWFALL had struck a little child OF
three who stood watching the fun,
bowling her over. The tall elderly
man who had gone quickly forward to
pick the mite up was Philip Humes
relative, BonhOlt In a very short
space Of time he had comforted the
child; Bonholt Hume was great IA
vOrite with all the village children.
The rector saw him put his hand into
his pocket and slip something into the
child's hand. The mite, clasping the
coin in its little fat fist, marched to
an open cottage door, all its troubles
forgotten.
Mr. Bonholt Hume came towards
the group by the church gate, man
scarcely fifty, but with snowy white
hair that made him look older than
his years. He had been cousin to
Philip Hume's father, and occupied
small house not far from his weather.
relatives place, the Old Hail. There
was an anxious expression on the
usually placid and pleasant looking
face.
Morning, Mr.. Ruthen. Haven't
seen or heard anything of my nephew
Phil, I SUPPOSED" he said, as he came
up.
Bonholt Hume had an affectionate
way of referring to Philip as his
nephew, whom he had known since
boyhood.
What do you mean?' asked Ste
phen.
only that I'm bit worried" was
the reply; worried about Philip. l
can't understand what's happened to
him.
Happened to him." echoed the rec
tor. His face was turned away.
He didn't return home last night.
saw him a little before o'clock,
not far from his own house. 1t seems
he hasn't been home since. Where
could he have gone on such night?"
And there was a note of anxiety IN
BOnholt Hume's voice. eff he'd want
ed to go, say to Fellsgarth, or any
where out of the village, surely he'd
have had a trap or his motor car on
such a night! It's that makes it all
so mysterious to my mind. No one
seems to have seen him since that
row with young Lathom. You've
heard of that, of course?" he added,
abruptly.
Stephen Ruthen nodded
"a painful affair altogether-and, as
am convinced, entirely young
Lathom's fault hate to speak harsh
ly of any one, for we all have our
faults" said the older man, his voice
raised a little excitedly, "but I've
known Phil since boy, and l know
his disposition-no one better; and
well, young Lathom's curse is that I'M
governable temper of his"
81 think you speak too strongly"
interposed Stephen, quickly, He is
a little hasty, but he's a good fellow,
Jack Lathom"
Perhaps you haven't seen his out
bursts of ungovernable temper, as l
have done. And there seems to have
been bad blood between him and my
nephew; it is that fact that makes
me so anxious
But surely, Hume, you don't
mean
81 mean nothing said Bonholt, has
tily. except that I am worried at this
unaccountable disappearance, more
Derplexed and worried since the
mounted constable had to interfere.
Grierson, the farmer, saw the fracas;
he was coming along at the time, and
he heard young Lathom's angry
threats. A passionate, vengeful dis
position. am afraid, Mr.. Ruthen. 1t
is so strange Phil never returned
home. AS | said, where could he have
gone to in the village to keep him
away from home so long? And he
wouldn't be likely to go far afoot on
such a wild night. l expect I'm rather
foolishly nervous, but I'm fond OF the
lad. and that makes me anxious
Stephen Ruthen stood silent What
could he say to relieve Mr.. Hume's
anxiety? It was so wildly present IN
his mind, the thought Of dead man
living deep under mounting drift of
snow-a drift that BonhOlt Hume must
have passed this morning. What
could he say?
1T do seem a poser as you might
say, SIR" put in Burrow, who had been
listening with interest to the CONVEX
satiOn.
81 am Just thinking of driving over
to Fellsgarth to see young Lathom,
continued BonhOlt Hume his, pleas
ant face clouded.
you need hardly do that. l left
lack Lathom at the rectory ten min
utes ago, and if you care to come as
far YOU can see him, though l feel
sure he cannot throw any light on
YOUR nephews disappearance" said
the rector
"At the rectory, is be? I'll come
and see him now, if l may"
AS the two men walked away the
music from the organ seemed TO fol'
low them. 1t wove itself into the wen
of stephen Ruthens thoughts. How
like a Dead March it was!
The same idea seemed to cross MT
Humes mind
"I wish that chap wouldn't play
ousic like that" he said; cit puts
odd fancies into ones head, Ruthen!
He ouickened his pace as if eager &c
get out of earshot.
CHAPTER VI.
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