Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-09-28
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STAIRCASE MD VI J
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS /Gyk
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opening II at the foot of the stairs
to show me dozen big yellow eggs
nesting among the bottles.
Real eggs" ne said proudly. "None
OF your anemfc store eggs, but flle real
thing-some of them still warm. Feel
them! Egg-nog for Miss Louise!"
He was beaming with satisfaction,
and before he left, he insisted on 60
ing back to the pantry and making
an egg-nog with his own hands. Some
how, all the time he was doing it,
had vision of Dr. Willoughby. nv
nerve specialist in the city, trying to
make an egg-nog. wondered IL he
ever prescribed anything so plebeian
and so delicious. And while DR..
Stewart whisked the eggs he talked.
II said to Mrs. Stewart" he con-
fided, little red in the face from the
exertion, after went home the other
day, that you would think me an old
gossip, for saying what I did about
Walker and Miss Louise"
Nothing of the Sort" protested.
The fact u.s." he went on, evidently
justifying himself, Il got that piece of
information just SIS we get a lot of
things, through the kitchen end of the
house. Young Walkers chauffeur
Walkers more fashionable than am,
and he goes around the country in
Stanhope car-well his chauffeur
comes to see our servant girl, and he
told her the whole thing. l thought
it was probable, because Walker spent
lot of time up here last summer,
when the family was here, and be-
sides, Riggs, that's Walkers man, had
a very pat little story about the doc
tors building house on this proper
ty, just at the foot of the hill. The
sugar, please"
The egg-nog was finished. Drop by
drop the liquor had cooked the egg.
and now, with final whisk, a last
toss in the shaker. it was ready. a
symphony in gold and white. The
doctor shifted it.
Real eggs, real milk, and touch
of real Kentucky whisky" he said
He insisted on carrying it up him
self, but at the foot of the stairs he
paused
Riggs said the plans were drawn
for the house" he said, barking back
to the old subject. Drawn by Hus-
ton in town. So naturally believed
him."
When the doctor came down, was
ready with question.
| Doctor" I asked. "is there any one
in the neighborhood named Caring
ton? Nina Carrington?"
| "Carrington?" He wrinkled his fore
head. Darlington? No, 1 don't re-
member any such family. There used
| to be Covingtons down the creek"
The name was Darlington" I said,
and the subject lapsed.
Gertrude and Halsey went for a
long walk that afternoon and Louise
slept. Time hung heavy on my hands,
and I did as l had fallen into habit
| Of doing lately-J sat down and
| thought things over. One result of
my meditations was that got up sud.
denly and went to the telephone. I
had taken the most intense dislike to
this DIR. Walker, whom l had never
seen, and who was being talked of in
the countryside as the fiance of Louise
Armstrong.
knew Sam Huston well. There
had been a time, when Sam was a
good deal younger than he is now, be-
fore he had married Anne Endicott,
when knew him even better. So now
I felt no hesitation in calling him over
the telephone. But when his Office
boy had given way to his confidential
clerk. and that functionary had conde-
scended to connect his employers
desk telephone, was somewhat at a
loss as to how to begin.
Why, how are you, Rachel?" Sam
said generously. "Going to build that
house at Rock We've" 1t was a 20.
year-old joke of his.
Sometime, perhaps" said. Gust
now l want to ask you a question
about something which is none of NV
| business
| Il see you haven't changed an iota
in quarter of a century, Rachel"
This was intended to be another Jest.
ASK ahead; everything but my do
nestle affairs is at your service"
TRY to be serious" said. And
tell me this: Has your firm made any
plans for house recently for a DR..
Walker at Casanova"
Eyes. we have"
where was it to be built? have
q reason for asking"
1T was to be, believe, on the Arm
strong place. Mr. Armstrong himself
/! consulted me. and the inference was
in fact, l am quite certain-the
house was to be occupied by Mr.. Arm.
strongs daughter. who was engaged
to marry DR.. Walker"
| When the architect had inquired for
the different members of my family.
and had finally rung Off was certain
of one thing. Louise Armstrong was
in love with Halsey, and the man she
was going to marry was DR.. Walker.
Moreover, this decision was not new:
marriage had been contemplated for
some time. There must certainly be
some explanation-but what was It?
That day 1 repeated to Louise the
telegram Mr.. Harton had opened. She
seemed to understand, but an unhap.
pier face l have never seen. She
looked like a criminal whose reprieye
Is over, and the day Of execution an
preaching.
Go Be Continued.)