The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-07-09
Through a
WOnnan'S Heart.
By Sidney Warwick.
CHAPTER xxvIiI.-(continued.)

speaking tne green DalZe door tnat
shut of Ralph Strangways' rooms
from the rest of the house suddenly
opened. and a tall, elderly man in a
long, green dressing gown. supporting
himself by a gold-headed, tasseled
stick. appeared at the doorway; and
.Bonholt Hume. startled at this sud
den unexpected apparition, cried:
Ralph Strangways."
what this? What's this I hear?"
the old man demanded, querulously,
looking from one to the other. frown-
ing under his white. bushy eyebrows.
Though ii was years since Bonholt
had seen Mr.. Strangways. he saw that
the eyes were as alert and keea ms
ever. though the man himself APP
peared to have aged very much. And
here was Ralph Stransways, owner
of Pride o life, in the flesh, not so
i'll but that he was up and about
and all that mystery that Anthony
Strangways. usually a cool. levcl.head-
ed man of the word, had conjured up
about his cousin evidently a Pigment
of his Imagination. Almost immedi.
ately Bonholt Hume pulled himself
together from his bcwildered sur
prise.
MY dear Mr.. Strangways. ! am re-
joiced-" he began, making a step
forward, with oatstretched hand.
The other man waved him off.
How surely received you here to-
night, Mr.. Hume? You surely re-
ceived my .nessage this afternoon
that | did not choose to see you?
Spies, sir-yes. spies-are not want
ed here," the figure In the dressing
gown broke out excitedly, evidently
working himself up into a passion.
Il know that you and my cousin An
thony are thick as thieves-Anthony,
who would be glad to hear of my
death! Let me tell you-you who
have come spying here"
The doctor went to the side of the
old man. whose pale face was work
ing convulsively. and laid soothing
hand on his arm.
rs this wise, Mr.. Strangways?" he
said, first to come out at all. and
then to let this gentleman's presence
excite you-"
The old man threw OF the doctors
hand impatienily. but the words
turned away from Bonholt Hume. ig.
noring him utterly. And your errand
in my house, sir?" he said to the de-
tective
The detective repeated his story.
A look of frowning suspicion had
deepened in the old mans face: his
eyes were bent searchingly on the doc.
tor as he leaned heavily ON his stick.
You haven't been letting this es.
capped prisoner into the grounds of the
house, Brewer" he demanded.
THAT'S the worst of my illness. PEG,
pose on me with impunity now that
I'm I'LL" with another vehement out,
burst of his quick temper. IF | find
you've been harhoring this rogue in
my house. Brewer, Tll-I'll-"
The doctor shrugged his shoulders
IF you persist in exciting yourself
like this. Mr. Strangways, can't
answer for the consequences. And II
you can't trust me. think
mo. no: you're good fellow
Brewer" broke in the white haired
man, in a suddenly changed voice. Il
know what your care and attention
and skill have done for me. There :
some mistake-at least so far rs yor
are concerned. Brewer" He turned
to the detective. But you shall
search the house. | am a justice oil
the peace. and l insist on your doins
that-not only to satisfy yourself. bu
to satisfy me that this escaped seoun
drel isn't hiding in my house"
The hall door opened and Marsare
Strangways appeared. to look in be
wildered amazement at the scene OF
which she had intruded.
AS she saw the figure in the dress
ing gown. leaning heavily on the tas
selled stick. by the open baize door
an eager. almost ineredulous, CT.
broke from her: Father" II was al
though the girl could scarcely beiiev,
her eyes. She made a swift move
ment toward the old man. thel
paused. with a startled look and part
ed lips, as IL about to speak.
cBut-"
Already the doctor had move,
quickly toward her. and, under cove
of some commonplace remark. touch
ed her arm warningly.
.Hush!" he whispered. SO low tina
neither the detective nor Bonhol
Hume heard anything but the seem
ingly careless remark with which h
had arrested the words on her lips
'.hush!"
seaae~eN~~~~eese