The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-05-07
CHAPTER xx-(continued.,


Bonholt Hume had left his cottage
and taken up his residence in the old
hall almost Immediately upon his sue
cession. But the big. lonely house
oppressed him. He sometimes thought
OF selling the place. lock. stock and
above everything else was the fact
barrel, of disposing of the great foun-
dry down in Fells garth and going
away. He could afford to enjoy life
now. The business in Fellsgarth was
not what 1t had been in Philip Hume's
fathers time, but II should realize a
comfortable sum. He would be able
to enjoy life. For two years he had
not dared to show himself at race
meeting: there were so many old rae
ing debts unsettled-debts that would
have 10 be cleared of before he could
return to the turf.
The spring twilight had long since
closed in, and the lamps were lit
Bonholt Hume seemed to hate the
darkness In this lonely house; the
lights must be full on and the cur
tains drawn almost before the last
CLEAN OF day had gone. He was glad
he would not be dining alone tonights
even though the guest whom he was
expecting. an old racing acquaintance.
would no doubt require settlement
Of certain bygone gambling debts
had indeed limited at II in the letter
In which he had said he was coming
! over to see his old friend in his new
state of prosperity.
But for those debts. which he had
conveniently put out Of his memory
and forgotten until the letter came.
Bonholt Hume would have been glad
enough to have welcomed Anthony
Strangways, to have had crack over
old times. to have discussed the
chances Of Anthony's mare in the
great race.
He was expecting S,rangways mo-
mentarily. At any time he might
hear the wheels of the motor car up
the drive, bringing his guest from the
station.
"Strangways mustn't open his
mouth too wide." said Bonholt Hume
to himself suddenly. There was no
geniality in his face now as he sat
alone with his thoughts: the smiling
bonhomie was gone-a network of
mean. calculating lines gave him
quite different look. 'or il he does
shall plead the gaming act. He
can't enforce payment
He heard the wheels of the car and
pulled himself out OF his thoughts.
assuming smile before which the
unlovely. Calculating lines seemed TO
disappear as by magic. leaving a
pleasant, almost cherubic face. Then
the door opened and servant APP
peared-a taciturn-looking man. who
had been with him before his success
sion to Philip Hume's estate.
"Mr. Strangways hasn't come by the
train. SIR" he announced.
"He hasn't come" Bonholt Hume
frowned. Keep the dinner back.
Matthew. There's a train In two
hours time. Send the car to meet
it, said his master, CURLY.
The man left the room, and Bon
holt Hume went back to his thoughts,
and the lines OF brooding care came
back. as they always seemed to come
back when he was alone in this great
house that had been Philip Hume's.
Outside the lighted room with the
closely drawn curtains young rising
moon made the night clear as day;
the wooded grounds lay mysterious
and beautiful in the food OF silver.
The peaceful beauty OF the hight
seemed to mock the restless unquiet
In Stephen Rnthen's heart as he came
out of the vestry door at the side of
the church that night, after the even
ing weekday service: he wondered n
he would ever know peace again-this
man who felt himself hypoerite now
to preach to others. he who was let
ting a man he knew 10 be guiltless
suffer to shield the guilty.
The few people who had attended
the service had gone. On an impulse
Stephen Ruthen did not take the path
leading to the rectory: he walked.
like man bowed down with an in
tolerable load. across the churchyard
towards grave under the trees.
where soon a tombstone would be
erected TO the memory of Philip
Hume.
The burden has become intolerable.
the burden of his secret. the horror
that he lived with daily. What was
he to do? Even II he were to tell
the truth. would his story be be-
lieved? Would Olive even herself be-
lieye it-she from whose mind all
memory OF that night in her delirium
had been SO strangely blotted out?
And how could he bring himself to
tell that truth?
And with that thought In his mind
the rector suddenly started. as he
came in sight of the graye-a grave