The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-05-16

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nlustache. Louisa, with head bent and
fingers somewhat restless and fdgety
waited to hear what Luke would say.
III only" he said, "you would con-
sent. Uncle Rad, to let Mr.. Dobson &C
through this mans papers"
what were the good Of wasting Mr.
Dobsons timer" retorted Lord Rad
clyffe with surprising good humor. ~
know that the man is an impostor. ]
dont think it," he reiterated emphatic
ally. Il know it."
"HoY?"". ''
BEFORE the old man had time to re-
ply, the butler-sober, solemn Parker
came in with a card on a salver, which
ne presented to his master. Lord Rad
clyife took up the card and grunted as
ne glanced at it. 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"
It's not Mr.. Dobson hisself, my lord.
But a young gentleman from his Of
fee"
Then tell the young gentleman from
the office that ! haven't time to bother
about him."
Shall I see him, sir?" asked Luke,
ready to go.
Certainly not" retored the irascible
old man. Stay where you are. You
have got Miss Harris to entertain"
THE young gentleman" resumed
Parker with respectful insistence, said
he wouldn't keep your lordship five
minutes. He said he'd brought some
papers for your lordship's signature"
THE Tower farm lease. Uncle Rad"
remarked Luke.
Il think, Mr.. Luke" assented the but
Ter, that the young gentleman did
mention the word lease"
why has that COMPOUNDED Warren
taken himself off just when / want
him?" was Lord R~adclyffe's gruff COM
ment as he rose from the table.
Let me go, sir" insisted Luke.
mo, hang 1t, boy, you can sign my
name-not yet. anyway. / am not yet
q helpless imbecile. Show the young
nan into the library, Parker. ! 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
er held"open for him, and even this he
did not do without surreptitiously TAX
ing hold of Luke's hand and giving IT q
friendly squeeze. For a moment it
seemed as II Luke would follow him,
despite contrary orders. He paused,
undecided, standing In the middle Of
the ROOM. Louisa's kind gray eyes fol-
lowing his slightest movement.
Jim stolidly pulled the cigar box to-
ward him. and Edie, with chin resting
in both hands, looked sulky and gener-
ally u Of sorts.
Parker-silent and correct Of mien-
had closed the library door behind his
m a ofar md nnuy with nntcalaco &raoa
he crossed the dining room and opened
the other door-the one that gave on
the hall. Louisa instinctively turned
her eyes from Luke m saw-standing
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 he
caught sight of Parker.
1t was the same man who had lifted
his hat TO Luke n to herself In Bat
tersea park this very morning. Luke
saw 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 or Parker and the visitor.
Funny that you didn't know him.
she continued. since Luke had made no
comment.
Il didn't" he remarked CURLY.
Didn't WHAT"
Il 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 l%ordship's presence.
Parker" said Luke, abruptly. what
made you tell his lordship that that
young gentleman came from Mr.. Dob
son?"
The question had come so suddenly
that Parker-pompous, dignified Park
er-waS thrown off his balance, and the
reply which ook some time in coming,
sounded unconvincing.
1.-The young gentleman" he said,
slowly. told me, Mr.. Luke, that he
came from Mr.. Dobson."
mo, Parker" asserted Luke, unhesi-
tatingly. ''he did nothing of the sort. |
He wanted to see his lordship n got
you to help him concoct some lie where
by he could get what he wanted.
A grayish hue spread over Parker's
pink and fiabby countenance.
Lord help me, Mr.. Luke he muir
INJURED: tonelessly. how did you
Il didn't" replied Luke CURLY. II
guessed. Now l know"
II didn't think l was doing no harm."j
mo harm by introducing into his
lordship's presence strangers who might |
malefactors?"
Already Luke. at Parker's first adj !
mission, had gone quickly to the Ii
Drary DOR. Here he paused. with his
on the latch. uncertain IL hel
should enter. The house was an old
one. we'll 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
In a quagmire Of confused explain
ations
"Malefactor. Mr.. Luke" he argued,
that young man vas no malefactor.
He spoke ever sc nicely. And he had
plenty of money about him. l didn't
see l was doing no harm. He wanted
20 see his lordship and asked me to
help him to It"
And" quieried Luke, impatiently,
paid you to help him. eh?"
IL thought" replied the man, loftily
gnoring the suggestion. that taking
n one of Mr.. Dobson's capds that was
ying in the tray could do no harm. I
thought 1t couldn't do no harm. The
young gentleman said his lordship
would be very grateful to me when he
ound out what I'd DONE"
and how grateful was the young
to o Parker?" l.
ITO the tun Of a five pound note. Mr..
'crhen as you have plenty Of money
n hand, can pack up your things
md get out Of this house before I've
ime to tell his lordship."
"'Mr. Luke"
Don't argue. Do as tell you"