Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-06-10
CHAPTER XVI. (continued.)

i CHAPTER XVI. (continued.)
He had come down to spy out on
Anthony Strangways' behalf. Bonholt
was exceedingly anxious to find out
what there was suspicious, because he
was rather afraid of Anthony, after
bis revelation that the woman calling
herself Olive vanstone, who had been
stopping with the Ruthens, was,
whether she herself knew 1t or not.
Philip Hume's widow, and as such had
= prior right Of inheritance to the
comfortable fortune he was enjoying.
Anthony had been convinced that
something was happening - some
queer game" as he had put tin this
house. and Bonholt Hume was begin
ming to feel that the suspicion was
correct.
He looked cautiously round. then
bent and put his eye to the keyhole
He could see nothing, but he could
hear voice, the Doctors speaking
In low. rapid tone to some one in q
room just beyond the door, and that
some one was evidently not Ralph
Strangways, for the words he caught
with dificulty were.
Eyes. this man has plainly come to
spy out about Ralph Strangways, for
all his plausible talk. There's one
thing-he'll find out nothing; he won't
ind out that
Bonholt Strengthened himself sud
denly and made step from the door.
He had heard footstep In the hall.
He turned quickly. going very red.
wondering II he had been caught
eavesdropping; inwardly raging. too.
II he could have caught the next few
words spoken behind that locked
baize door he felt he might have
something important to communicate
to Anthony.
Miss Strangways had come into the
hall; Bonholt could not be sure from
her manner whether she had actually
seen him with his ear to the door. He
tried to cover his confusion by an ap-
pearance Of unconcern, as overdone as
when weeks ago Stephen Ruthen had
caught him prying into drawer In
bis study.
How d'you do. Miss Strangways?
So long since we met. felt must
run down and see my dear old friend,
your father. Surely you remember
me. Mr., Hume?"
She bowed slightly without extend
ing her hand. She knew perfectly well
that this man and her father had
never been more than mere racing
acquaintances-and why was he loiter-
Ing near that door?
The turf and meE connected with
It were alike abhorrent to this girl.
who had been brought up in the at
mosphere OF racing, who had seen SO
much Of Its attendant evils. 1t was
the turf that had brought her father
70 the brink Of ruin: it was this gam
bling fever, that was horror to her,
which had drawn this swarm of
racing touts and betting men to ho-
yer about this place trying to obtain
/ : glimpse Of Ralph Strangways--
ghouls who would not hesitate to In
trude on . mans deathbed In their
sagerness to know whether horse
could rum In race. Was this man
here tor that same purpose?
Il am sorry II the servant has left
you TO wait In the hail. she said.
coldly.
No: I've seen the doctor: he has
Just gone to see II your father is
strong enough to zee me. and I'm
thinkingly strolled out after him.
Won't you wait for him here. Mr..
Hnme?" She held open the door OF
tie morning room. And Bonholt.
Tuning. went Ii again. II only be
could have heard the rest Of the doc
tors wordsl
Thank you. am sorry to hear
such bad news Of your father" be
said. watching her face. believe me,
- N ola friend. sympathize
| deeply
Thank you. she said II must
eak you 70 excuse me. Mr.. Hume
And tho girl went away.
~ Ralph Strangways Is living he'i
q : pretty bad way. that's certain
muttere1 Hume to himself. He had
oesn the tears start into the grit
oyss u hia deliberate words, and sh<
h31 not contradictod him.
M6rxnret atrangwAys walked away
1 The note waa 81 her hand that ha(
been left = the gate q the time Bon
HUI HnIno Mas aaking for M. atrans
4 Ways a insolent note. unsigned. BIZ
0x1dently written Az the man who hi