The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1909-01-01
CHAPTER vi. (continued.)

any way responsible for Philip
dunes disappearance; that have"
Stephen Rutaen interposed with
white face; his voice was strained
and unnatural. as he cried. quickly:
Il cannot allow this to continue.
Mr.. Hume, make allowance for your
anxiety. but think you have spoken
In way that Mr.. Lathom has right
% resent"
For moment Bonholt Hume did
not speak. Then he said, with a re-
turn of his usual habitual courtesy:
III so. can only express my pro-
found regret. When a man is as wor-
ried as l am"
Jack broke the tension with laugh;
his natural good temper reasserted
itself in generous fashion.
"Oh, that's all right" he cried, in
kerupting the others apology. You're
naturally bit anxious, Mr.. Hume,
though l think you take more seri-
Gus view of it than you need-there's
sure to be a perfectly simple explana-
zion Of your nephew's absence. 1t
Isn't as Though it was weeks or even
days since he had been seen."
If his resentment had passed Hilda
Did not forgive her visitor so easily.
His words fingered ranking in her
mind like poisoned dart, uttei.y in
Sxpicable. She did not hold out her
hand to MIR. Hume when he left that
afternoon
The Gays passed, bringing no
change in the weather. The white
teeth of winter still held the country
In their tenacious grip; no sign of
change or thaw. Philip Hume's con-
tinued absence began to cause specu-
aation in others as we'll as the miss
ing mans uncle. The mystery of his
disappearance became a topic of gen.
eral comment, not only in the village,
but in the neighboring town of Fells-
garth. where the Humes' were we'll
known.
Mr.. Bonholt Hume walked through
the main street of Fellsgarth one aft
ernoon some four days after his inter-
view with Jack Lathom; more per-
sons than one were struck by the
deepening lines of anxiety in his face.
He seemed 10 know almost every
one: he was q man with multitude
of friends, and il he had any enemies
no one appeared to know of them;
he was popular alike at the club and
at the Exchange. He had gone to
the Exchange that afternoon.
A stout, red-laced man, catching
sight of him, canle up behind and slap
ped him on the shoulder.
Gust the man 1 wanted to sect"
he cried. Il want to know what you
have been doing to that nephew of
'vours?"
Bonholt Hume started and turned,
looking as though the unexpected salu-
Itation had positively startled him, he
had gone SO white, and for moment
Ihe seemed unable to find his voice.
Though his lips moved His red-faced
ACQUAINTANCE laughed boisterously.
why, what have you got on your
conscience to make you Jump like
that, Hume?' he cried. playfully; he
was a big man on change, with
noisy, Irritating voice. Il had an ap-
pointment with young Philip for yes
terday-rather an important appoint
ment, and he never turned up. Put
me to no end Of inconvenience.
What's all this talk hear about his
disappearance? Where's he gone?
Dodging bailiffs?"
81 wish l could tell you," replied
Bonholt. He was still rather white;
he had seemed bundle of nerves
since Philips disappearance. "And l
wish vow could ask a question with
out SO much personal violence!" fore
ing a smile or worried about Phil
10; no one seems to have seen him
since his second row with young
Iathom. Lathom processes to know
nothing"
well, what should he know? You
don't suppose Lathom spirited him
like a conjured making rabbits dis
appear into a hat?" broke in third
voice, that of mutual acquaintance
who had joined them. "But l expect
II the truth was known. Philips at
home, lying low, nursing that black
eve of his! Jove! didn't young
1IAt0Om 20 TOT IT'LL III IAC SAuO' @1Ao
he laughed.
II only wish my nephew were al
home, or that knew where he was,
said Bonholt; II should be a good
deal less anxious. Since the night he
and Lathom had their second unfortu
nate fracas, there hasn't been a wore
or sign of him."
"Well, it's too early for you to tak'
out letters of administration In re
epect of the property, Hume!" crie'
the first man, boisterously. Its en-
tailed, isn't it?-and you're the onl,
relative he has living!"
The loud.voiced mans badlnag
brought no responsive smile to Boz
holt Hume's face. He nodded an
walked away. as though not In tn
mood for conversation. The othe
men stood telling for a moment o
two.
sCome to think of IT. 1t is rur
BUSINESS. l suppose I! anything al
happen to Philip Hume, Bonhol