Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-07-04
CHAPTER XVII.

AND WHAT OF THE SECRET?
When Luke arrived at his uncle's
met in h hall by DR.. Newington. who
was descending the stairs and who
gravely beckoned to the young man to
follow him into the library.
n called me In last night" he
said in reply to Luke's quick and anx-
he may be-told me that he vas busy
fastening up the front door preparatory
to going to bed, when he heard q heavy
thud proceeding from the library. He
found his master lying full length on
the floor; the head had come in violent
contact, as he fell. with the corner Of
this table; blood was trickling from q
scalp wound, and Lord Radcliffe him.
SELF was apparently in a swoon. The
man is a regular coward n a fool be-
he had fallen, but fortunately he knew
me and knew where to find me. and
within 10 minutes / was on the spot, |
and had got Lord Radcliffe into bed"
rs it," asked Luke, anything seri-
ous?"
Lord Radcliffe has not been over
strong lately. He has a great deal to |
put up with, and at his age the system |
is not sufficiently elastic or-how shall
I put it?-sufficiently r~ecuperative to
stand either constant nerve strain or
nagging WORRIES"
II don't know" i%nterposed Luke stiff
ly. that my uncle has had either nerve
strain or worry to put up with"
oh" retoined the doctor. whose gruff
familiarity seemed to Luke's sensitive
ear to be tainted with the least possible
note Of impertinence, Il am an old
friend of your uncle, you know, n all
your family; there isn't much that has
escaped my observation during the past
year."
you have not told me, DOCTOR" said
| T.1lkal a shade moro atiff1v than hafOro
what is h matter with Lord Rad
clyffe."
There was distinct emphasis on the
last two words.
DR.. Newington shrugged his Shout
ders good humoredly.
Your uncle has had something in the
nature Of a stroke" he said bluntly, and
he fixed keen light-colored eyes on
those Of Luke, watching the effect
which the news-baldly and crudely
nerves. He was a man with what is
known as a fashionable practice. He
lived in HEREFORD street and his rounds
were encircled by the same boundaries
as those Of the rest Of Mayfair. He
had had plenty Of opportunity of study
pose the upper grades Of English soci-
ETY.. They and their perfect sang
froid, their wesl-drilled calm under the
most dire calamities, or most unexpect-
Il GU OlOWS LAO OlIS1 CdUSOU MIN 6SIONs
ishment he was a younger man.
fresh from hospital work, and from the
haunts of humber folk, who had no
cause or desire to hide the depth OF
their feelings. Now he was used to
his fashionable patients and had ceased
to wonder, and Luke's impassiveness
on hearing Of his uncle's sudden illness
did not necessarily strike him as in
difference. ).
us it %serious?" asked Luke.
Serious. OF course" assented the
doctor.
d you mean that Lord Radclyffe's
life is in danger?'
AT go years of age. life is always in
danger
"I don't mean that" repoined Luke
Lord Radcliffe in immediate danger?"
mo. With great care and constant
nursing. he may soon rally, though I
doubt If he will ever be as strong and
hearty as he wa this time last year."
"Then what about a nurse?"
I'll send one down today, but
"Yes?"
Lord Radclyffe's present household
is-well. hardly adequate to have a day
and q night nurse. ] can send both.
but they will want some waiting on and
Of course proper meals and ordinary
comforts-'
II can see to all that. Thank you
for your advice"
"A good and reliable cook is also nee
essary-who understand invalid cook
ing-all that is most important.
"And shall be attended to at once
Is there anything else?"
Perfect rest and quiet Of course are
the chief things"
II shan't worry him. you may be
sure. and no ono else is likely to come
near him."
Except the police" remarked the
doctor dryly.
1.-THE pOltce?"
The grave events Of the night before.
and those that were ready to follow m
another in grim array for the next few
days had almost fed from Luke's
memory in face of the other--tO him
ness.
ooh! All. yes!" he said vaguely. II
had fOrgottn."
1.-THE nurses" rejoined the doctor
with q pompousness which somehow ir-
ritated Luke. will have my author
to Lord Radclyfte for the present. /
will write put the certifcat now. and
!. this you can present to IN one who
may show q desire to exercise official
authority In the matter OF interviewing
: my patient"
necessary at b inquest and 30 on
. Lord Radclyfte iced not be worried"
, HE mustn't be worried. To begin
with he would not know any one, and
) he - wholly unable to answer Ques-
TORS"
"That settles the matter Of cours.
90. Il you viii write the necessary YER
, ct once on h subject. Would Lord
8 Radcliffe know me. do you think? p
added the young nan altar q 0light
) pause Of hesitancy.