Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1909-08-26

land ever since.
AS for Jack Lathom, since his flight
from the rectory on the night he had
driven there in Miss .Strangways' car,
his friends had heard no further news
OF him; he had disappeared from their
ken completely.
Her anxiet'- about her lover was not
Hilda's only trouble. Her brother
Stephen had beer lying dangerously i'll
for some weeks, and, although his con-
fession was in the hands of the police,
for them to question him, had brought
matters to a deadlock so far as acting
on his unconfirmed written statement
was concerned.
In the Kings Arms a group Of
towns-people were still exchanging
views about tomorrow race-in the
very smoke-room where weeks ago the
members of Mrs. Chatterton's theat-
rical company had sat, after supper,
into the early hours discussing the
same subject as was the staple Of
conversation noW-When the hands of
the clock pointed to eleven o'clock,
and the barman cried, with an alacri-
ty that did not commend itself to the
company:
CLOSING time, gents, pleased"
The party reluctantly drained their
glasses and rose.
You keep your clocks ten minutes
fast. Mrs Kirby" said one of the COM
pany, in playfully grumbling tones.
'"Tisn't fair, that! It's a shame to
turn us out till it's actually eleven"
ooh, some of you would grumble
at closing time if it was midnight"
retorted Mrs. Kirby. IF you'd been
on your feet all day, as l have, you
wouldn't be sorry to hear eleven strike
even ten minutes before Greenwich
tfmei"
Presently the company had made
their reluctant way into the street,
and the barman had the doors shut
and shooting the bolt by the first
stroke of eleven from the church
tower.
We'll, I'm glad the Squire's lived
to TIE day of the race" said one, as
they paused outside the great gates.
looking up the long, dark drive to-
wards the house; land quite apart
from my respect for the old chap,
there's so much money on his horse,
it would have been rough luck if it's
owners death had prevented Pride O.
Life from starting, and those who've
bet on it's chances not to have run
for their money. But no fear Of that
now"
But, l say, that's queer"
Usually at this hour the old house
was dark, with scarcely a light show
ing anywhere; but tonight lights were
flashing in the windows, signs of I'M
usual stir within; moving lights behind
the windows, and then hurried foot
steps coming down the drive-and the
old servant appeared in haste to I'M
fasten the gate, and moment later
DR.. Brewer came swiftly on his bicy-
Gle, through the gate, into the road,
riding at tremendous pace towards
the town.
81 say, did you see the doctors
face?" said one of the little group that
had stood aside as the rider passed.
The others had seen it; in the star
light, as the doctor passed them, his
face had looked curiously white and
set, like that of man under stress
of great agitation.
And his lamp not lighted; too
much in a hurry to think about il"
said another, as they walked back to
the town. The doctors bicycle was
standing outside Timson the chem
lists shop, as they turned into the
main street; evidently Timson had
been rung up in great haste. Il won
der if anything's up?" continued the
former speaker. Il wonder if-well,
there's time yet for a slip between
cup and lip-if Pride O. Life will be
able to run after all tomorrow"
His friends laughed at him for a
pessimist; yet a glimpse of DR.. Brew.
er's face in the shop, outlined white
and anxious against the one gas-jet
that the Hurried chemist had lighted,
made the party wonder whether the
morning would bring any startling
news.
But whatever had taken the doctor
in such urgent haste to the chemists
at half-past eleven on the night before,
the smile on his face was reasurring
enough when he was seen at ten o.
clock the next morning in the town.
'How is my patient, Mr.. Mallard?
Well, not quite strong enough to see
any of his friends today, as we had
rather hoped he might do. So much
hangs on this race that, of course, the
excitement is rather a strain, and he
had not so good night as usual. But
wonderfully well, all things consid.
cred, and once the excitement of to-
day is over he hopes to see some of
his old friends again. He'll be glad
to know you asked after him."
And with nod and a smile the
doctor passed on his way.
(To be continued.)