The Ordway new era., 1910-07-08
THT TCRCULAR STAIRCASE
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the nanQS OF tnlS tumily. ! rented the
house at an exorbitant figure and I
have moved out here for the summer.
My city home IL dismantled and In the
hands OF decorators. l have been here
one week. during which | have had
not single night OF uninterrupted
sleep. and intend to stay until I
have recuperated. Moreover. II Mr..
Armstrong died insolvent. as believe
was the case. his widow ought to be
glad to be rid OF so expensive a piece
OF property"
The lawyer cleared his throat.
Il am very sorry you have made
this decision" he said. Miss lines,
Mrs. Fftzhugh tells me Louise Arm.
strong Is with you"
she is
Has she been informed OF this
double bereavement"
Not yet" | said. She has been
very Ill: perhaps tonight she can be
told"
1T is very sad: very sad" he said
Il have telegram for her, Miss In.
nes. Shall l send 1t out?'
Better open 1t and read 1t to me-"
| suggested. IF 1t Is important, that
will save time
There was pause while Mr.. Har.
ton opened the telegram. Then he
read 1t slowly. judicially.
Watch for Nina Darlington Home
Monday. Signed F. L. W."
Hum" said. Watch for Nina
Darlington. Home Monday Very
well. Mr.. Harton. I will tell her, but
she is not in condition to watch for
any one
We'll. Miss Innes. II you decide tc
-er-relinquish the lease. let me
know" the lawyer said.
II shall not relinQuish it," replied,
and imagined his irritation from the
way he hung up the receiver.
wrote the telegram down word for
word. afraid to trust my memory. and
decided to ask Dr. Stewart how soon
Louise might be told the truth. The
closing of the Traders bank l con.
sidered unnecessary for her to know,
but the death Of her stepfather and
stepbrother must be broken to her
soon. or she might hear it in some
unexpected and shocking manner.
DR.. Stewart came about four o'clock,
bringing his leather satchel into the
house with great deal of care. and
opening 1t at the foot OF the stairs
to show me a dozen big yellow eggs
nesting among the bottles. .a
Real eggs" he said proudly. None
of your anemic store eggs. but the real
thing-some Of them still warm. Feel
7
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 1t, ]
had vision of DR.. Willoughby, my
nerve specialist in the city. trying to
make an egg-nog. I wondered II he
ever prescribed anything so plebeian
and so delicious. And while Dr.
Stewart whisked the eggs he talked.
Il said to Mrs. Stewart" he con.
f1ded. 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 did about
Walker and Miss Louise"
Nothing of the sort" protested.
THE fact is," he went on. evidently
justifying himself. 81 got that piece OF
information just as we get 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 a
Stanhope car-well. his chauffeur
comes to see our servant girl, and he
told her the whole thing. l thought
1t 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, 1t was ready,
symphony in gold and white. The
doctor shifted it.
Real eggs, real milk. and a 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, I was
ready with question.
Doctor" I asked. "is there any one
in the neighborhood named Caring.
ton? Nina Carrington?"
Darlington" He wrinkled his fore.
head. harrington? No, l don't re.
member any such family. There used
to be Covingtons down the creek"