The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-08-13
CHAPTER xxx,v-con,;oued

CHAPTER xxxiv : Continued,
From the threshold of the drawing
room Hilda watched through the hall
door the 1.-THE, graceful figure of Mar
garet Strangways pass down the path
in the gathering grey of the twilight:
then the man who had been sitting In
the car In the heavy coat came to-
wards the house, leaning on her arm
with the air of an infirm. elderly man,
through the hall. to where Hilda
stood, with moist, shining eyes, in the
doorway of the drawing-room. WHITE
and scarcely able to control the emo
tion that had swept over her. He
caught her two little hands In his and
they passed into the room. Miss
Stranpwavs. remaining outside in the
hall. CONSIDERABLY closed the door
softly on them.
'Hilda, Hilda."
She was in his arms. held close to
his heart, as so often in the days be-
fore the shadow had fallen across their
happiness. with the masses OF her
dark hair brushing his cheek and
making his blood tingle at their soft
caress: the girl was laughing and
crying for very Joy on his shoulder.
Jack. You have come back to me.
my poor. wronged love, II only 1t
were not to leave me again" There
was an infinite tenderness and pity in
the grey eyes that looked into his face,
dimmed with a rain of tears, in the
low voice that was sweet as no other
woman's could ever be to him. And
only this afternoon, l was so miser-
able, misunderstanding Oh, | am
ashamed now of the wicked doubts
that crept into my mind in spite OF
myself. jack"
His arm drew her closer and closer
e him, as they stood there in the old
fashioned room where the shadows Of
the dusk were already stealing. speak.
ing In low. eager whispers; there was
SO much to be said-whispered words
and brief-falling silences that were
even more eloquent; the silence that
has many voices" for youth and love.
In those moments of supreme Joy II
suddenly seemed impossible to him
that he could be the John LathoM,
who for weeks had walked in the
shadow Of fear. his feet set in the
path of exile; that Jack Lathom OF
yesterday had been hopeless and de
spairing. and he was surely the hap
piest man on earth.
Even though their parting must in
evitably come soon. for little while
he had found his love again; was hold
ing her tight-ah. so tight-in his
arms, with the tender music of hei
voice in his ears. the beautiful face
near his: a memory for this hunted
man to carry away into his exile.
How can l ever express all fee
after your wonderful kindness?" said
Hilda earnestly to Margaret, wher
presently she and Jack had remem
bered that Miss Strangways had beer
left standing in the hall. and Jack had
opened the door and brought her into
the room. mot only for helping Jack
as you have done, but for having faith
too. In his innocence" and little
catch of breath broke her voice for a
moment. words are sucn poor things
for so deep a debt-only | thank you
from the bottom of my heart"
In his study Stephen Ruthen. as
he sat talking to the blind man. was
wondering a little about the two Wis
itors. both strangers to him. who had
come to the house by motor-car. lie
had heard Miss Strangways speaking
TO his sister In the hall; he had seen
her few minutes later returning NJ
the path with an elderly man learning
on her arm. Evidently they had come
to see Hilda. since the servant had
brought mo message to the study.
Five minutes or so later the rector's
visitor rose to take his leave.
Stephens interview with Mr.. Grals
tonight had been purely in connecticS
with matters relating To the church
choir; Lathom's name had never one,
been mentioned. Since the blind or
ganist's appeal TO Stephen Ruthen OIL
the day Lathom was committed TO
trial a sense of eonstraint had existe,
between the two men that forbade an
words passing between them exeep
OF formal nature. But Lathom'
name leapt to Mr. Grale.s lips no,
with a sudden unexpectedness tina
startled the rector.
As the latter was opening the stud
door for his departing visitor. tn
faint murmur of voices reached thel
from the drawing-room; and the blin
mand passed abruptly in the middl
of something he was saying. in an ii
tent. listening attitude. and b
clutched at Stephen Ruthen's arm
-Parson." he whispered. excited,
$50 Jack Lathom's In your house, /
yon ROOM"
Stephen stared at him in amaz
msnt
The sound Of the voice speaking B