The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-05-14
CHAPTER xxi.-(consinued)

not what she did-he had always re-
aEsed that: and possibly the law
would have been merciful--who could
say? II had been chiefly In his dread
Of tho effect Of the revelation on the
woman herself-a shock that might
turn her brain. that would in any case
make. shipwreck Of all her life. He
could not strike this blow At tho WON
an he loved, even when the horror Of
the news OF LAthomss arrest had
come. Lathom would be acquitted
or. II not. time enough to speak when
Lathom was found guilty. he had ar.
gued desperately. The thoughts were
In his mind now. they were always
with him. And then Lathoms escape
had complicated matters.
Il was no longer then a question OF
his being tried and acquitted. La
Thorn was hunted man. suffering be-
cause Of his silence. And yet he had
not spoken. though Hilda's white face
and sad eyes were daily tortnring
reproach to him. Yet he had not
spoken-stultifying his life. a traitor,
to his creed. by this tacit lie OF silence
that he could not defend even TO him
self. but that was an impulse strong
er than himself. But what was to be
fthe outcome? He dared not ask kim.
self.
As he passed out OF the gate OF the
churchyard a woman was going by
with q shawl over her head, a woman
sobbing bitterly. He spoke to her.
You have had no news. am
afraid?" he said, and she shock her
head.
This woman was one of his parish
toner's. Her husband. a ne'er-do-well
wastsel. who was usually drunk and
had earned the name OF Thirsty Ned
In the village. had disappeared day
or two before, His cap hAd been
found On the bank Of the river.
No. the police have heard nothing.
They tell me as they're going to drag
the river for him. my poor Ned!" she
sobbed. Ned was good-forsnothing,
who drank most of what his wife
earned, with reputation for frequent.
~ beating her; and most aof her
neighbors were OF the opinion that II
was the best thing that could happen
Tor Mrs. Robinson II Ned wns never
70 turn up again; but Ned's wife was
almost heart broken. You see. they
found his cap On the river bank: Ned
was seen near the river. and he-he
wasn't himself at all, Tn afraid. II
Only he'd listened to you, parson,
about the drink! He was allus better
for little while after you'd talked to
him; he had such high opinion o.
you, parson--so just and fair dealing
TO every one. no matter whether
church folk or chapel folk!"
Stephen Ruthen stayed speaking to
the woman for a few moments. then
walked on to the rectory.
SO just" The words made him
vince.
At the old hail the belated guest
was shaking hands with Bonholt
Hume.
NO. didn't walk. don't know how
l came to miss the car you sent 10
meet me. ] came down with an &C.
Qnaintance-Jermyn. you know him
and ! drove most OF the way with
him. Sorry to have kept the dinner
waiting. Jove. Bonholt, 1t seems queer
TO come and ffn6 you here. the mas.
ter! Five-snd-twNuty years older than
PhiAp. ana get you're here and he's
gone. Why. what have you done with
his portrait>" staring at the blank
space on the va1l rs they entered the
dining room when | saw philin
last I was struck tY it-such . mood
likeness"
BOnholt's fAce was turned avay
On. II couldn't bear to see Il. II
was too painful a reminder" he ssad
Yos know how FOND Philip ana
were Of each other
We've YOU" Anthony Strangw,v
turned 70 look n the older man. hm
Bonholt's face was aserted. There
was . cynical smile On the formers
face. We'll. that's news. Now. II
should have thought ysu and philip
liked each other just about "A much
. my second cousin. Rsiph Strang-
ways. loves me! have lneard-vell.
never mind what I've heard.
Anthony Strangways was a man OF
forty. with . dark. rather song clean.
shaven face. He was quietly dressed
with nothing In his appearance 10 sus.
gest the turf. Yet all the Styxngvays.
passion for horses and gambling
burned In bis veins: he was Known to |
have gone the pace. and to ha,., won
and lost large sums In his time an the |
eari. Not q bad hooking man. with
N habitual touch of cynicism Il HIS
!ace. and penetrating gray eyes eh.t |
aid not miss much Of what came ~rb. |
10 their radius. And the man VIM
III che stubborn Differentiation OF tbs
straneways. OF which Mrs. Kirby a
The Kings Arms had spoken In Jack
Lathom's hearing.
told you ! walked part of the
ray. Huane-past the churehyard for
he nrst time since | came down 10 |
Philips funeral" remarked Strans.
rays In the course Ct dinner. oddly