The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1909-03-27


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 communal
ty to its foundations. and not eves
his 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 / mix myself up in it? The
man is dead. and. from all accounts
1t 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
a disagreeable laugh:
We knew them-yes, so we did
Why should | forget 1t? l have done
all ! ever mean to do for him. Ant
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 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
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 q druA
which gives him that queer greenish
look"
Poor Lady Edith said Il be.
lieve she has troubles OF her own with
him."
And how bravely she hides them"
added Gabrielle. thoughtfully. We'll,
it only goes to prove what I have
said all along: Blood will tell"
But If 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
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
ITCHY OF youth and health. and quite
willing to put the dreadful episode
away from us.
There was a ball at 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, a.
we'll as many other cottagers, sailed
ONCt " itASlpAtcB oAo 80 NV AASSs
was good. the music excellent, and
men plentiful. We enjoyed ourselves
very much indeed.
Mr.. B)ake danced once with me, but
1 noticed that his eyes continually fol.
lowed Lady Ediths 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 l stood for q mo.
ment alone by the open door, Lady
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 .
chair.
Elise she said; II am going to
pain you"
looked at her in silence. wonder.
ing greatly, but she seemed to find 1t
difiicult to continue.
Have you ever thought" she said
at last, that there is anything strange
about Mr.. Bennett?"
Stranger l repeated. Strange"
Not 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"
stared blankly at her and she r.
sumed slowly:
You make it very hard for me. yet
must tell you. The man is not suit
able for you to know; l warned you
once before, but was not certain. 30
dared not say too much. Wilfrid says