The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1909-11-23


depend greatly upon her, and felt az
though We had known her always
Not SO Lord Wilfrid A card left
formally at Mrs Graham's door was
the only indication he gave OF any
knowledge of the deplorable event
which had shaken our little communi.
ty TO its foundations, and not even
his sister could induce him to do any
thing more.
Hang it ALL" he said roughly, one
evening when she had urged upon him
the necessity of at least offering to be
OF any assistance in his power, why
should | mix myself up in it? The
man is dead, and, from all accounts.
1t seems a good radiance"
But, Wilfrid, dear, remember we
knew them before we met them here |
1t does not seem kind"
She paused, for he interrupted, with |
disagreeable laugh:
I'VE knew them-yes, so we did |
Why should l forget it? l have done
all / ever mean to do for him. And
don't ask me to go near that house
where he lies dead-hs wife looks and
looks at you with her big solemn eyes,
reading your very soul. There are
some things even you cannot make me
| do, and"
"Wilfrid."
He stopped abruptly, and with
muttered apology left the veranda- His
sister sighed little as she turned to
Gabrielle. who sat next her
Poor Wilfrid," she said. only see
how nervous he is. He always had
! this strange aversion to death, and he
did not like Mr.. Graham-men know
men. l fear he is not as strong as
: thought, for this sad affair has CON-
( pletely unnerved him. Have you not
) noticed how badly he looks?"
1t was indeed patent that he was
? far from well. He was sullen and ir.
ritable, his complexion had assumed
: dull, pasty hue and his eyes were
r shifty and troubled.
/. Il believe" remarked Elizabeth that
e night when we we're alone. that Lord
s Wilfrid takes some kind Of = drug
which gives him that queer greenish
look"
Poor Lady Edith" said. Il BE-
lieve she has troubles of her own with
him."
And how bravely she hides them
added Gabrielle. thoughtfully. well
1t only goes to prove what l have
said all along: Blood will tell"
But il Lord Wilfrid failed in thu
ordinary courtesies of humanity. Cor
don Bennett did all and more thar
could have been expected OF him, ant
l soon forgot his scarf-pin with thu
Sphinx's head, and also the fact tina
had seen him trying to force an en-
trance into our boathouse, which e1
| traordinary proceeding was still une1
planned.
| So the days passed. and we slowl
resumed our ordinary routine, reco'
ering from the shock with the elias
ITCHY of youth and health, and quit
J willing to put the dreadful episod
away from us.
. There was a ball at the hotel on
night. and We all went, glad OF tn
diversion afforded by the lights an
music. and pleasantly conscious ths
our gowns were all that could be d
sired.
Gordon Bennett and Mr.. Blake,
we'll as many other cottagers, sale
n1. over to participate, and as the no'
% was good, the music excellent, al
~ men plentiful, we enjoyed ourseiv'
~. very much indeed.
Ao Mr.. Blake danced once with me, D
l.:
IN lowed Lady Edith's graceful ngul
again attired in the black gown whl'
H. afforded such an effective backgroul
NC for her golden hair and white sho'
~ ders.
ne rs she not lovely?" l inquired
NC nv glance followed his.
"She is wonderful he said, almC
lhe beneath his wonderful.
VI" After supper, as l stood Tor II
.eu ment alone by the open door, La
lax Edith touched me on the shoulder a
10 beckoned me to join her on the vera
leei da Her face was very grave, and
observed that her hand was colo
D, shook a little as she drew me to
chair.
cry ELISE" she said; Il am going
'0 pain YOU
looked at her in silence, wond
yes ing greatly, but she seemed to md
'ue difficult to continue.
app Have you ever thought" she 81
,liz- at last that there is anything strar
can about Mr.. Bennett?'
ehe stranger" l repeated. Strang'
her Not quite right, l mean WI
'use men call straight. Have you e
ecu seen him do anything which seemed
Win REQUIRE an explanation? Have
ham ever asked him a question he co
nnu not answer
ung 7 stared blankly at her and she
avn sumed slowly:
You make it very hard for me.
Tor | must tell you. The man is not
she able for you to know: l warned
d so once before, but was not certain,
as dared not say too much. Wilfrid S
One ,men hear these things) that he Is
hose man the police are after-the SUI
lied, gler. And worse still, that he is