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

II was early afternoon when the
girl came out of the railway station
at Lendal-barely an hour and half
distant from Fellsgarth by quick train
into the quaint, struggling High
Street of the old-fashioned country
town, where ancient houses, with bulg-
ing upper stories that seemed to be
perpetually whispering gossip to each
ether across the narrow thoroughfare.
huddIed closely together clannishly.
rs II proud Of their century or more
Of years. At the station Hilda had
ascertained from a porter the direc-
walked through the sleepy High Street
consumed by = fever Of suppressed ex-
element. What would the next half
hour bring her?
Hilda, in spite of her brothers ef-
forts to dissuade her. had adhered
resolutely to her determination to go
TO Lendal; she had declined his offer
to accompany her. Mr.. Hume had
spoken positively of his conviction
that Jack was hiding In or near Mr..
Etrangways' house, aided by Miss
6trangways and the doctor In attend
ance at the Grange. The weeks Of
intolerable suspense since the day OF
her lovers escape from Wildfell-
weeks that had not dragged by with
out leaving some of their traces on
the girls face. robbing 1t, II not of Its
beauty. OF Its old brightness and ami
nation and color-followed by this I'M
expected news. had prompted the re-
sistless impulse that Hilda had acted
on to come to Lendal to seek out Miss
Etrangways. The overwhelming de-
sire had swept over her to see Jack
Lathom again. IL 1t were possible, or at
beast to assure herself that he was
we'll and In no present danger Of re-
arrest.
There were some gaudy bills fiut-
tering on a dead wall. Hilda saw that
they were theatrical bills; the heading
was "Chatterton's Theatre" Con.
sumed with impatience rs she was,
Jet she paused to glance down one of
the long strips with a sudden inter
her. Jack had been playing with this
theatrical company-news that had
for the flrst time lifted = corner Of
the impenetrabls veil that had fallen
between her and her lover since the
night Of his flight from Wiidfell.
Some distance down the street two
men came out Of small BARRIERS
shop. walking In front Of her. who she
felt sure, with quick thrill Of In
hAIA ~ he thAa 81 an
profession. and probably belonged Il
the company In which Jack had beer
playing: their appearance Was dis
tinctively suggestive OF the sootlights
In Mr.. Cnattsrton's Advertisement
for -artistes" he always required tina
APPLICANTS must dress well OF tn
stage; and perhaps 1t was due 10
laudabls desire to live ap TO thi
managerial requirement that III
taller Of the two men walking dow
the street IN front Of Hiida wore
long fur coat (that had undoubteel
seen better days. II no; quite reeen
III In spite Of the day bsinE oppre.
sively close. sand shoes aud q clot
cricket cap formed the pleasing e,
tremes OF the remaining part Of hi
attire. He spoke In deep and meal
ured booming voice that had such
carrying" quality that. though tn
two men we're some little distanc
aheAl Of her. the greater part of wha
they we're saying reached the girl
ears distinctly.
well. whatever he's done or hash
done. Joe. I'm not going to say a wor
AGAINST him." the taller man was n
marking. You and ! were in parlou
O5aits-fortune's footballs. In yer
vooth--that day hs came to the re