The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-05-16

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mustache. Louisa, with head bent and
somewhat restless and fdgety.
waited to hear what Luke would say.
II only" he said, you would con-
sent. Uncle Rad, to let Mr.. Dobson go
through this mans papers"
Dobson's time" sretorted Lord Rad
clyffe with surprising good humor. Il
know That the man Is an impostor. I
don't hkk it." he reiterated emphatic
lily II know It"
"IIow2"
Before the old man had time to re-
ply, the butler-sobes solemn Parker
came in with a card on a salver, which
he presented to his master. Lord Rad
clyffe took up the card and ,grunted as
he glanced al 1t. He always grunted
when he was threatened with visitors.
Why" he said gruffly, and he threw
the card back onto the salver, haven't
you told Mr.. WARREN"
Mr.. Warren" said solemn Parker.
is out, my lord"
Then ask Mr.. Dobson to call another
time
TITS not Mr.. Dobson hisself, my lord.
But a young gentleman from his Of
Then tell the young gentleman from
the office that I haven't time to bother
about him"
Shall I see him. sir7" asked Luke.
ready to go.
Certainly not" retored the irascible
old man. "Stay where you are. You
have got Miss Harris to entertain"
1.-THE young gentleman" resumed
Parker with respectful insistence,r'sa
he wouldn't keep your lordshtp five
minutes. He said he'd brought some
papers for our l%ordship's signature"
THE Tower farm lease. Uncle Rad"
remarked Luke.
II think, Mr.. Luke" assented the but
Ter, that the young gentleman did
mention the word lease"
why has that COMPOUNDED Warren
taken himself off sJust when I want
him?" was Lord Radclyffe's gruff COM
ment as he rose from the table.
let me go, sir" insisted Luke.
mo. hang 1t, boy, you can't sign my
name-not yet. anyway. I am not yet
a helpless imbecile. Show the young
man into the library, Parker. l can't
think why Dobson is always in such q
COMPOUNDED hurry about leases-send-
ing a fool of a clerk UP at most In
convenient hours"
Still muttering half audibly, he
walked to the library door. which Park
err held open for him, and ever this he
did not do without surreptitiously tax
ing hold Of Luke's hand and giving it a
friendly squeeze. For a moment 1t
despite contrary orders. He paused.
undecided, standing in the middle of
the room, Louisa's kind gray eyes fol-
lowing his slightest movement.
Jim stoHdly pulled the cigar box to-
ward him, and Edie, with chin resting
in both hands, looked sulky and gener-
ally out of sorts.
Parker-silent and correct Of mien-
had closed the library door behind his
master, and now with noiseless tread
he crossed the dining room and opened
the other door-the one that CAV on
the hall. Louisa instinctively turned
in the middle Of the hall-a young man
in jacket suit and overcoat, who had
looked up, with palpitating eagerness
expressed in his face, the moment he
caught sight Of Parker.
It was the same man who had lifted
his hat to Luke and to herself in Bat
tersea park this very morning. Luke
Ia him too and apparently recognized
him.
That's why he bowed to us, Luke
in the park-you remember" she said,
as soon as the door had once more
closed on Parker and the visitor.
Funny hat you didn't know him."
she continued, since Luke had made no
comment.
Il didn't" he remarked curtly.
Didn't what?"
II did not and do not know this
man."
mot Mr.. Dobson's clerk?"
Luke did not answer. but went out
into the hall. Parker vas standing
beside the library door, which he had
just closed, having introduced the Wis
itor into his lordship's presence.
PACKER" said Luke. abruptly, what
made you tell IFS lordship that that
SOM"
The question had come SO suddenly
that Parker-pompous. dignified Park
er-was thrown off his balance, and the
reply which took some time in coming,
sounded unconvincing.
THE young gentleman" he said,
slowly, told me, Mr.. Luke, thai he
came from Mr.. Dobson."
NO, Parker" asserted Luke, unhesi-
tatingly, "he did nothing of the sort.
He wanted to see his lordship and got,
you to help him concoct some lie where
by he could get what he wanted"
A grayfsh hue spread over Parker's
pink and fabby co&ntenance.
"Lord help me. Mr.. Luke" he muir
INJURED, tonelessly. how did you
know"
II didn't" replied Luke CURLY. Il
guessed. Now I know"
81 didn't think l was doing no harm"
mo harm by introducing into his
lordship's presence strangers who might
be ma%lefactors?"
Already Luke. at Parker's first ad-
mission, had gone quickly to the IL
brary door. Here he paused. with his
hand on the latch. uncertain If he
should enter. The house was an old
one. well built and stout: from within
came the even sound Of a voice speak
ing quietly, but no isolated word could
be distinguished. Parker was founder
ing in a quagmdre Of confused explain
atoms.
"Malefactor, Mr.. Luke!" he argued,
that young man a no malefactor.
He spoke ever SO nicely. And he had
plenty of money about him. I didn't
see l was doing no harm. He wanted
to see his lordship and asked me to
help him to It"
and" quieried Luke, impatiently,
paid you to help him. eh?"
81 thought" replied the man, loftily'
ignoring the suggestion. that taking
in che of Mr.. Dobson's cards that was
lying in the tray could do no harm. 1
thought it couldn't do no harm. The
young gentleman said his lordship
would be very grateful to me when he
found out what I'd done"
"And how grateful was the yOrnR