The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1910-08-11

exertion, after l went home the other
day, that you would think me an old
gossip, for saying what l did about
Walker and Miss Louise"
Nothing Of the Sort" l protested.
The fact is" he went on, evidently
Justifying himself, Il got that piece Of
information just as we get a lot Of
things. through the kitchen end Of the
house. Young Walkers chauffeur
Walkers more fashionable than I am, I
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
a 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 a 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 a final whisk, a last
toss in the shaker, it was ready. a
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 1t up himN
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 HusH
ton in town. So I naturally believed,
him."
When the doctor came down. I was
ready with q question.
Doctor" I asked, us there any one
in the neighborhood named CARING
ton? Nina Carrington?"
Darlington? He wrinkled his fore,
head. Darlington? No, I don't re.
member any such family. There used
to be Covingtons down the creek"
THE name was Darlington" l said,
and the subject lapsed.
Gertrude and Halsey went for a
long walk hat afternoon and Louise
slept. Time hung heavy on my hands,
and ] did as ! had fallen into a habit
OF doing lately-I sat down and
thought things over. One result of
my meditations was that l got up sud
denly and went to the telephone. l
had taken the most intense dislike to
this DR.. Walker, whom l had never
seen, and who was being talked OF in
the countryside as the fiance of Louise
Armstrong.
I knew Sam Huston well. There
had been a time, when Sam was a
good deal younger than he is now, be-
fore he had married Anne Endicott,
when ] knew him ever better. So now
l felt no hesitation in calling him over
the telephone. But when his office
boy had given way to his confidential
clerk, and that functionary had conde-
scended to connect his employers
desk telephone, l was somewhat at q
loss as to how to begin.
Why, how are you, Rachel?" Sam
said generously. Going to build that
house at Rock View" 1t was a 20.
year-old joke Of his.
Sometime, perhaps" I said. Just
now I want to ask you a question
about something which is none of my
business"
Il see you haven't changed an iota
In a quarter of a century, Rachel"
This was intended to be another Jest.
ASK ahead; everything but my do
nestle affairs is at your service"
"Try to be serious" / said. And
tell me this: Has your firm made any
plans for a house recently for a DR..
Walker at Casanova?"
Eyes. w have"
Where was 1t to be built? I have
a reason for asking"
1T was to be, l believe, on the Arm
strong place. Mr.. Armstrong himself
consulted me, and the inference was
in fact, l Am quite certain-the
house was to be occupied by Mr.. Arm
strong's daughter, who was engaged
to marry DR.. Walker"
When the architect had inquired for
the different members of my family,
and had finally rung of, ! was certain
OF n thing. Louise Armstrong was
in love with Halsey. and the man she
was going to marry was DR.. Walker.
Moreover, this decision was not new;
marriage had been contemplated for
some time. There must certainly be
some explanation-but what was it?
That day I repeated to Louise the
telegram Mr.. Harton had opened. She
seemed to understand, but an unhap.
pier face I have never seen. She
looked like a criminal whose reprieve
ia over, and the day Of execution ap-
preaching.