The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-07-30

10 boHaf eho@
he should be paid to the uttermost
farthing."
Fortunes footballs? BY Jove, I
should think SO. And we jolly nearly
got kicked too. Monty" Hilda heard
his companion retort with feryour.
The speaker was q short, stoutish
man. In a striped flannel blazer that
would have looked less conspicuous
IL its owner had not been wearing
bowler hat. which was perched jaunt-
lily at the back OF his head.
"Of course" he went on, Il don't
wonder old Chatterton should have
lost his hair over it-that's only nat
ural-and that he should be wild with
me for having introduced Craig
that's natural too; and after all he
said about Craig giving a gentleman
ly tone to the company! Only-well,
I'm sorry. l liked him: he was one of
the best, even II he is the Lathom
| that's wanted for murder-and I'd
| bet more money that I'm ever likely
| to touch that there's some blooming
| mistake. and that he no more did II
than you, Monty; in fact, come to
| that. old chap, you look dashed
sight more like Enter first murderer
than Craig! Excuse my frankness.
And hope with all my heart he'll get
clear away"
The rest of the conversation-that
had been quite audible to the girl
walking a yard or two behind the two
men. who were all unconscious how
| their casual remarks had both start
led and interested her-was lost. as
the two munmers drifted into the bar
Of an inn with an ancient weather
beaten signboard swinging out half
across the road.
| A little flush Of pleasure and pride
had come into the girls face.
| "'He was one of the BEST" she re-
peated softly to herself, quoting the
words the shorter man had used
They had referred to Jack Lathom
and It had touched the girl deeply
the way these two casual acquaint
ances had spoken Of the man she
loved. "oh. Jack, jack"
Hilda was near the Grange, now
Cling High Street into the countr,
road that led to Mr.. Strangways
house.
> Now that her journeys end wal
nearly reached she was beginning I,
realize the force OF some of Stephens
words when he had tried to dissuad,
her from carrying out her impulsiv,
resolution. Hilda was Indifferent al
to what Miss Strangways might thinl
Of the unconventional nature Of he
errand: she was the hunted mani
betrothed, the woman who loved hin
that was reason enough why sh,
should be anxious to seek news II
any way of him, and what anyon,
thought mattered nothing in compari
son. But Miss Strangways might
from motives OF prudence, deny tina
she knew anything of Jack Lathon
and withhold all information. II onl.
Miss Strangways could be induce.
TO trust her and tell her all she knew
| Hilda came to some great iron gate
opening upon the country road. BE
| yond the gates she caught a glimps'
|
house standing back half hidden II
| the grounds-this must be Mr.. Strans
ways place. But before she rang tn
, bell-she had tried the gates an,
found them locked-she turned to as
, a man sitting by the roadside. en-
5 ployed In breaking a heap of stone
3 In a very perfunctory fashion. II thi
= were Lendal Grange.
1 Yes. this Is Mr.. Strangwayl
o house." the man replied. regardin
n her curicusly.
y Just as Hilda was about to rim
!. the bell she saw an elderly man cor
s ing down the drive from the hous
It She thought that he looked half su
e picionsly at her as he proceeded |
a unlock the gates and push them wild
Is hack.
e Can you tell me If Miss Stran
n ways is at homer" she said.
2 Yes, she's at home, but | doubt
" she can see you now" said the o
I, servant. Here she is; she's just &
s. ing out for a drive with the old ge
n tleman."
4 Already. as he was speaking,
Is motor car had made its appearance
s. coming down the avenue towards Il
gates. 1t was driven by girl wi
he was evidently Miss Strangways:
e her side In the car was the old &c
Al tleman" referred to by the man-ser
IS ant-a figure SO much wrapped up.
spite of the heat Of the day. tn
Il Hilda could hardly see his fac
I'd though she noticed the iron-sr,
e. moustache and the white hair und
IS the soft felt hat that came down oy
~ his eyes; but her chief interest w
Is conferred In Miss Strangways.