Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1909-07-22

had refused to take the word of a
he should be paid to the uttermost
farthing"
Fortunes footballs? BY Jove,
should think so! And we jolly nearly
got kicked too, Monty" Hi1da heard
| his companion retort with fervour.
The speaker was a short, stoutish
man, in striped flannel blazer that
would have looked less conspicuous
If it's owner had not been wearing a
bowler hat which was perched jaunt-
lily at the back of his head
| "Of course" he went on, II don't
wonder old Chatterton should have
lost his hair over it--that's only nat
me for having Introduced Craig
that's natural too; and after all he
said about Craig giving gentleman
| ly tone to the company! Only-well,
I'm sorry. I liked him; he was one of
the best, even If 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 it
than you, Monty; in fact, come to
| that old chap, you look a 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 mummers 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 ooh, Jack, jack"
Hilda was near the Grange, now.
| She had turned out of the long, strag-
Cling High Street into the country
road that led to Mr.. Strangways'
house.
Now that her journeys end was
nearly reached she was beginning to
realize the force of some of Stephens
words when he had tried to dissuade
her from carrying out her impulsive
resolution. Hilda was Indifferent as
to what Miss Strangways might think
Of the unconventional nature of her
errand; she was the hunted mans
betrothed, the woman who loved him
that was reason enough why she
should be anxious to seek news in
any way of him, and what anyone
thought mattered nothing in compari-
son. But Miss Strangways might,
from motives of prudence, deny that
she knew anything Of Jack Lathom
and withhold all information. If only
Miss Strangways could be induced
to trust her and tell her all she knew!
Hilda came to some great iron gates
opening upon the country road. Be
yond the gates she caught glimpse
through a long avenue of trees of a
house standing back half hidden in
the grounds-this must be Mr.. Strang-
ways place. But before she rang the
bell-she had tried the gates and
found them locked-she turned to ask
man sitting by the roadside, en-
ployed in breaking heap of stones
in a very perfunctory fashion, if this
were Lendal Grange.
Yes, this is Mr.. Strangways'
house." the man replied, regarding
her curiously.
Just as Hilda was about to ring
the bell she saw an elderly man COM
| ing down the drive from the house.
She thought that he looked half sus-
piciously at her as he proceeded to
unlock the gates and push them wide
| back
Can you tell me if Miss Strang-
ways is at homer" she said.
Yes, she's at home, but l doubt if
she can see you now" said the old
servant. Here she is; she's just go
| ing out for drive with the old gen
| tleman."
Already, as he was speaking, a
motor car had made it's appearance,
coming down the avenue towards the
gates. 1t was driven by girl who
was evidently Miss Strangways; by
| her side in the car was "the old gen
| tleman" referred to by the man-serv-
ant-a figure so much wrapped up, in
spite of the heat Of the day, that
Hilda could hardly see his face,
though she noticed the iron-grey
moustache and the white hair under
the soft felt hat that came down over
his eyes; but her chief interest was
| centered In Miss Strangways.
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