Rocky Ford enterprise., 1909-03-26

| 1ulnesS never 1alled, and she was al
ways ready to respond to any appeal
for advice or assistance. We grew 70
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 even.
which had shaken our little communi.
ty to its foundations, and not ever
hin 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 l mix myself up in it? The
man is dead, and. from all accounts,
it seems a good riddance."
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 I forget 1t? / have done
all l ever mean to do for him. And
don't ask me to go near that house
where he lies dead-his 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 a 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 l
thought. for this sad affair has COM
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 a
dull. pasty hue. and his eyes were
shifty and troubled.
Il believe" remarked Elizabeth that
night when we were alone. that Lord
Wilfrid takes some kind OF a drug
which gives him that queer greenish
look
Poor Lady Edith" l said. Il be.
lieve she has troubles of her own with
him.
And how bravely she hides them!"
added Gabrielle. thoughtfully. We'll.
II only goes to prove what I have
said all along: Blood will tell"
But II Lord wilfrid failed in the
ordinary courtesies OF humanity. Cor.
don Bennett did all and more than
could have been expected Of him. and
| soon forgot his scarf-pin with the
Sphinx's head. and also the fact that
I had seen him trying to force an en-.
trance into our boathouse. which ex.
traordinary proceeding was still unex-
planned.
So the days passed. and We slowly
resumed our ordinary routine. recov.
ering from the shock with the elias
ticity OF youth and health, and quite
willing to put the dreadful episode
away from us.
There was a ball Mt the hotel one
night, and we all went. glad Of the
diversion afforded by the lights and
music. and pleasantly conscious that
our gowns were all that could be de-
sired.
Gordon Bennett and Mr.. Blake, as
well as many other cottagers. sailed
over to participate, and as the floor
was good, the music excellent. and
men plentiful. we enjoyed ourselves
very much indeed.
Mr. Blake danced once with me, but
noticed that his eyes continually fol.
lowed Lady Edith's graceful figure.
again attired in the black gown which
afforded such an effective background
for her golden hair and white shoul-
ders.
rs she not lovely?" inquired. as
my glance followed his.
She is wonderful" he said. almost
beneath his breath-"wonderful."
After supper. as I stood for q mo-
ment alone by the open door. Lady
Edith touched me on the shoulder and
beckoned me to join her on the veran.
da. Her face was very grave, and
observed that her hand was cold and
shook a little as she drew me to q
chair.
Elise" she said: Il am going to
pain you
looked at her in silence, wonder.
difficult to continue.
Have you ever thought" she said
at last. that there is anything strange
about Mr. Bennett?"
Stranger" l repeated. Strange"
mot quite right, mean. What
men call straight. Have you ever
seen him do anything which seemed to
require an explanation? Have you
ever asked him a question he could
not answer"
| I stared blankly at her and she re-
sumed slowly:
You make 1t very hard for me, yet