The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1911-07-06
new one came

and he began another Dattle with MS
invincible caution. Meanwhile Proth-
eroe improved the silent interval by
trying to learn from Elsie's face what
she thought or cared about Thorndyl<e's
disappearance. Much, every way, he
concluded, when Duncan spoke again.
Robbie, lad, the times come
when I'm in sair need o. good counsel.
Ye Wilma lat yer place max ye boggle
over a bit O. advice?'
with the town company, you
mean? discharged myself this morn
ing; but if hadn't it would make no
difference where l could be of service
to YOU"
"The guide Lord be Thankful" OK
claimed Duncan, fervently; and then he
proceeded to relate in their proper or
der the incidents in the history of Kill
grows wrong and Thorndyke's quest.
ending with an account of the attor-
ney's visit to the farmhouse. Protheroe
listened attentively, and he was ready
with his answer when Duncan finished.
"Sharpless lied" he said. Thorn
dyke wouldn't turn the case over to the
company. nor would he abandon it just
as he had got the whip hand of his op-
ponents. They've spirited him out of
the way so they can scare Kilgrow into
n cheap settlement; and Sharpless came
to you because he didn't know where
10 find the old mountaineer."
Protheroe spoke to Duncan, but he
kept his eyes fixed upon the face of the
young girl, who sat eagerly listening.
lie was trying another experiment in
physiognomy, and the result was not
altogether comforting.
"Ye dinna think they'd harm the lad,
do YEP"
81 imagine it would depend upon cir
cumstances. The object would be to
get rid of him until they could treat
with Kilgrow. You know Thorndykc
better than I do; would he be likely to
go peaceably?"
Duncan shook his head gravely. "Na,
I'm thinkin' he wouldna do that; he'd
be mair than likely to gle 'em deal O.
trouble"
The experiment was a cruel one, but
Protheroe continued it unpityingly.
I'm that case you can judge for yourself
by what was done day before yester-
day. Sharpless is thoroughly unscru-
pulous; and Thorndyke could send him
to the penitentiary. It's kidnapping at
the best, and it may be some thing much
worse"
The engineer found the result of his
experiment and his own punishment in
the expression Of horror that crept
over Elsie's face when his inference be-
came plain. 1t hurt him more than he
cared to admit.
All through the long summer, while
Philip and Elsie were apparently jour
neying hand in hand along the road in
which he had unselfishly set their feet,
Protheroe had Rugged his ideal, play
ing the heroic part of the highminded
lover who generously effaces himself
in order that the object of his affections
may be free to walk in a path of her
own choosing. 1t was an unjoyous
task, this that he had set himself, and
he was Inundated by the conviction,
repeated and emphasized every time he
saw Elsie, that it gained nothing in
gladsomeness with the lapse of time.
In such case, absence seemed to be the
proper emollient; but when Duncan
asked his help, he said nothing about
going away, and entered heartily into
the farmers plans for warning Kilgrow
and for beginning an immediate search
for the missing man. 1t was agreed
that the young engineer should try to
trace Thorndyke from Glenco or ALA
cooche while Duncan made n journey
to the Pocket; and when the farmer
had departed on his errand, Protheroe
turned back to the house for a final
word with Elsie.
She was alone in the sitting-room
when he entered, standing at the win &.
dow which looked out upon the road.
He saw that she had been crying, and
he went to her quickly and took her
hand in both of his.
Can say anything to comfort you
before / go?" he asked.
She shook her head.
what is IT, Elsie? does IL mean more
to you than the possible danger OF a
friend?"
Eyes, much more" The franlSness
of her reply staggered him. ut was