The Wagner post. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1912-current, 1912-05-24
Continued From Last Weekly

Close on an hour went by and then
tinkle Of a distant bell broke the
silence. Voices were heard somewhat
louder OF tone In the library, and Lord
firm.
TN see you again tomorrow he
said, at Mr.. -. Tell me the name
ana address again, please"
Inc 1907 leading from library to hall
was opened. A footman helped the
stranger on with coat and hat. Then
the street door banged to again and
once more the house lapsed into si-
renee n gloom.
Il think I had better go, now"
Louisa rose and Luke said in mat
ter-of-fact tones:
III put you into a cab"
NO. she said, II prefer to walk. I
am DIN straight back to the Lang
nam. Will Q go to the Ducies' at
Yes" he said, 'just to see YOU"
YouH know more by them,
snail know all there Is to know"
Luxe h said. you are not
1t was the second time she had put
the question to him, but this time its
purport was a very different one. He
piled simply:
Only for YOU"
Why for meT"
because, Lou, you are just all the
world to me-and a man must feel a
little afraid when he thinks he may
lose the world"
Not me, Luke" she said, you
pened."
Let me get you Q cab"
he was English, you see, and could
not nj to say anything Just then.
Inc hood gates OF sentiment might
burst sunde now with the slightest
WORD uttered that was not strictly
commonplace Louisa understood, else
sne had not loved him as she did. 1t
never occurred to her to think thai he
was indifferent. Nay more, his sudden
transition from sentiment to the call
ing OF q cab-from sentiment to the
trivialities Of life pleased her in its
very essence Of incongruity.
him, smiling.
Then she gave him her hand. 1t
was still gloveless and he took 1t in
his, turning h palm upward SO that
ne might bury his lips in it's delicately
perfumed depths. His kiss almost
scalded her flesh, his lips were burn
ing hot. Passion held In check will
consume with inward fire, while its ex-
preston often cools like the Nereid's
embrace.
He went to the door with her and
watched her slender, trim figure walk
ing rapidly away until 1t disappeared
round the corner of the square.
When he turned back into the hall
ne found himself face to face with
Lord Radclyfe. Not Uncle Rabbit
an altogether different man, an old
man now with the cynical lines round
n mouth accumulated and deepened
into burrows, the eyes hollow and col
orless. the shoulders bent as IL under
an ~unbearable load.
Uncle Rad" said Luke speaking
very gently, forcing his voice to be-
tray nothing Of anxiety or surprise,
can ] do anything for your
BUT even at sight OF his nephew, of
n man who had hitherto always sue
e In dissipating by his very pres
ence every cloud on the misanthrope's
brow, even at sight OF him. Lord Rad
iyhe seemed to shrink within himself,
MS race became almost ashen in its
pallor, and lines of cruel hardness quite
disfigured his mouth.
want to be alone today he said
dryly. Tell them to send me up some
tea In the afternoon. I'll go to my
room now-I shan't want any dinner"
But, sir, won't your"
Il want to be alone today the old
man reiterated ~tonelessly, "and to be
left alone"
Very well, SIR"
Lord Radcliffe walked slowly toward
n staircase. Luke-his heart torn
with anxiety and how
heavy was the old mans step, how list
less his movements. The younger mans
instinct drew him instantly to the side
or the elder. He placed an affectionate
nand on his uncle's shoulder.
Uncle Rad" he said appealingiy.
cant ! do anything for your.
Lord Radcliffe turned, and for a mo-
ment his eve softened as they rested
on the face he loved so well. His
wrinkled hand sought the firm, young
one which fingered on his shoulder.
But he did not take 1t, only put ii
gently aside. then said quietly:
mo. my boy: there's nothing you
can do. except to leave me alone"
Then he went upstairs and shut him
SELF up ! n his own room and Luke saw
him no more that day.
CHApTER ry