The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1912-06-21

cueeks redder IMAM ever. The two
men confronted each other unilinch.
ingly for a moment, then Mr.. Maitland
touched bell. button In the wall by
his side. Instantly the footman made
bis appearance.
James," said the old man. his voice
shaking and his knees trembling with
passion. which he did not quite sue
coed in controlling. despite a desper.
ate effort. SHOW this-er-gentle
man the door, Good morning. sir; our
irst and last interview Is over
He bowed with ceremonious polite.
ness as he spoke. becoming more and
more composed as he felt himself
mastering the situation. And Arm.
strong, to do him justice. knew a gen,
tleman when he saw him. and secretly
admired the older man and began to
feel a touch Of shame at his own rude
way Of putting things.
beg pardon. sir" said the footman
breaking the awkward silence. but
here is a telegram that has just come
sir"
There was nothing for Armstrong to
do or say. Indeed. having expressed
himself SO unrestrainedly to his rapid
Embarrassing regret, as the old man
took the telegram he turned away in
considerable discontinue. James bow.
Ing before him at the door opening
into the hall and following him as he
slowly passed out. Mr.. Stephen Matt.
land mechanically and with great de-
liberation and with no premonition OF
evil tidings. tore open the yellow en-.
velope and glanced at the dispatch.
Neither the visitor nor the footman
had got out Of sight or hearing when
they heard the old man groan and
fall back helplessly into a chair. Both
men turned and ran back to the door.
for there was that in the exclamation
which gave rise to instant apprehen.
sion. Stephen Maitland now. as white
as death, sat collapsed In the chair
gasping for breath. his hand on his
heart: the telegram lay open on the
floor. Armstrong recognized the Sc
robustness OF the situation, and In
three steps was by the others side.
What is it," he asked eagerly. his
hatred and resentment vanishing at
the sight OF the old mans CHASTITY
stricken countenance.
Enid" gasped her father. 81 said
| would rather see her-dead, butt
Is not true-I-
James Armstrong was a man OF
prompt decision. without a moments
hesitation he picked up the telegram
II was full OF explicitly, thus II read:
I'VE we're encamped last week In
the mountains. Enid went down the
canon for a days fishing alone. A sud.
den cloudburst filled the canon. wash.
ed away the camp. Enid undoubted.
ly got caught in the torrent and was
drowned. We have found some OF her
clothing. but not her body. Have
searched every foot of the canon.
Think body has got into the lake. now
frozen. snow falling. mountains I'm
passable: will search for her in the
spring when the winter breaks. am
following this telegram In person by
the first train. Would rather have
died a Thousand deaths than had this
happen. God help us.
ROBERT MAITLAND"
Armstrong read II. stared at II a
moment, frowning heavily. passed II
over to the footman and turned to the
stricken father.
"Old man. I loved her." he said.
simply. Il love her still: I believe
that she loves me. They haven't
found her body. clothes mean moth
ing. I'll find her. I'll search the noun
tains until I do. Don't give way:
something tells me that she's alive.
and I'll find her"
IF you do" said the broken old
man. crushed by the swift and awful
response to his thoughtless exclama-
ton. land she loves you. you shall
have her for your wife"
1T doesn't need that to make me
find her." answered Armstrong grim
ly. she is a woman, lost In the noun
tains In the winter. alone. They
shouldn't have given up the search.
I'll find her as there 10 a God above
me whether she's for me or not"
A good deal Of a man. this James
Armstrong Of Colorado. In spite OF
many things In his past Of which he
thought SO little that he lacked the
grace to be ashamed Of them. Stephen
Maitland looked at him with a GER
tain respect and a growing hope. as
he stood there In the library. stern.
resolute strong