The Wagner post. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1912-current, 1912-05-17

Luke was silent for a moment or two
while Edie tossed her irresponsible
young head with the gesture OF an alb.
solute Il told you so" Jim muttered
mustache. Louisa, with head bent and
fingers somewhat restless n hdgety,
waited to near what Luke would say.
IF only" he said, you would con-
sent, Uncle Rad. to let MIR. Dobson go
through this mans papers"
What were the good OF wasting MI.
Dobson's time?" retorted Lord Rad
clyffe with surprising good humor. !
know that the man is an impostor. l
don't think it," he reiterated emphatic
ally, II know it."
"How?"
Before the old man had time to re-
ply, the butler-sober, solemn Parker
came in with a ard on a salver, which
he presented to his master. Lord Rad
clyffe took up the card and grunted as
he glanced at it. He always grunted
when he was threatened with visitors.
why" he said gruffly, and he threw
the ard back onto the salver, haven't
you toll Mr.. WARREN"
Mr.. Warren" said solemn Parker,
lis out, my lord"
"Then askSMr. Dobson to call another
time"
ITS 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 PEE him, SIR asked Luke,
"Certaiply not" retored the irascible
old man. "Stay where you are. You
have got Miss Harris to entertain"
THE young gentleman" -esumed
Parker with respectful insistence, said
he wouldn't keep your lordshlp nve
minutes. He said ned brought some
papers For your lordship's signature" :
"The Tower farm lease, Uncle Rad"
remarked Luke.
II think, Mr.. Luke" assented the but
mention the word lease"
"why has that COMPOUNDED Warren
taken himself off just when | want
him?" was Lord Radclyfe's gruff COM
ment as he rose from the table.
Let me go, SIR" insisted Luke.
mo, hang 1t, boy, o can't sign my
name-not Yet, anyway. l am not yet
q helpless imbecile. Show the young
man into the library, Parker. l can
think why Dobson Is always in such a
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, n even this he
did no do. without surreptftiously TAX
ing hold Of Luke's hand and giving 1t a
friendly squeeze. For a 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 stolidly pulled the cigar box to-
ward him, and Edie. with chin resting
in both hands, looked sulky n gener-
ally out Of sorts.
Parker-silent and correct Of mien-
had closed the library behind his
master, and now with noiseless tread
he crossed the dining room and opened
the other doOr-the n that gave Of
the hall. Louisa instinctively turned
her eyes from Luke and saw-standing
in the middle Of the hall-a young man
in jacket suit and overcoat, who had
looked up, with p~alpitating eagerness
expressed in his face, the moment he
caught sight Of Parker.
1t was the same man who had lifted
his hat to Luke and 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 on Parker and the visitor.
Funny that you didn't know him.
she continued, since Luke had made nc
comment.
II didn't" he remarked CURLY.
Didn't WHAT"
Il did not n do not know this
man."
mot Mr.. Dpbson's clerk?"
Luke did not answer. but went out
into the hall. Parker was standing
beside the library door, which he had
;,,c% ,Io.4I L-rf-~ %roJ-1I - -
itor into his lordship's presence.
Parker" said Luke, abruptly, what
made you tell his lordship that that
young gentleman came from Mr.. Dob
SOM"
The question had come so suddenly
that Parker-pompous, dignified Park
er-was thrown off his balance, and the
reply which o some time in coming
sounded unconvincing.
The young gentleman" he said.
slowly, told me, Mr.. Luke, that he
came from Mr.. Dobson."
mo, Parker" asserted Luke, unhesi-
tatingly. The 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 grayish hue spread over Parker's
pink n fiabby countenance.
Lord help me, Mr.. Luke he muir
INJURED. tonelessly. "how did you
know"
Il didn't" replied Luke CURLY. 81
guessed. Now I know"
II didn't think / was doing no harm"
N harm by introducing into his
lordship's presence strangers who might
be malefactors? 2"
Already Luke, at Parker's first adj
mission, had gone quickly to the Ii
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 ever sound Of a voice speak
ing quietly. but no isolated word could
be distinguished. Parker was founder
ing in a quagmire Of confused explain
atoms.
"Malefactor, Mr.. Luke!" he argued,
that young man was no m%alefactor.
He spoke ever SO nicely. And he had
plenty of money about him. l 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?"
Il thought" replied the man, loftily
ignoring the suggestion, that takine