Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-08-01

sensible girl. brought forth her full
array of calm and of triviality, check
ing by a placid smile. the faintest on
rush of passion in him, for passion
could but torture him now, when his
very soul was roubled and every nerve
on the jar.
And thus Colonel Harris found
them.
When he entered. Louisa was re-
counting to Luke the menu of last
nights dinner.
And Homard a la Danoise was a
perfect DREAM" she was saying. II
p 1t would not be etiquet to ask
her excellency for the recipe"
Luke rose as the colonel entered and
passed his hand across the back Of
his smooth head, a gesture peculiarly
English and peculiarly his own. The
older man was undoubtedly the most
troubled of the three.
Its a damnable business, this" he
said as soon as he had shaken Luke by
the hand and thrown off hat and coat.
Does Sir Thomas Ryder" asked
Luke lightly, "also hin that 1 have
murdered Philip"
He knew where Colonel Harris had
been. Louisa a not thought of keep
ing this from him.
TOMS a fool,' retorted the colonel
i~nNoluntarily.
1t was tantamount to an avowal.
Luke never f1inched: he even contrived
to smile. Louisa sat up very straight,
and with an instructive movement gave
the sofa cushions a nervy shake up.
But her eyes We're fastened on Luke.
Don't worry, sir" said Luke very
quietly. IN get out of 1t all in good
time"
"of course you will. Damn it ALL"
calculated the other f%ervently.
THE inquest, you know, is tomor-
row."
1t was Luke who spoke and Colonel
Harris looked up quickly.
Then he said. surely some light
ness"
Let's hope so. sir" rejoined Luke
dryly.
HAS Uncle Ryder told you anything
fresh, father? Anything that we don't
yet know?"
Colonel Harris did not reply and
Louisa knew that there was something
that Uncle Ryder had said. something
awful, which had caused her father
to wear the roubled loo which had
terrified her the he came in.
Something awful-which would affect
Luke.
Won't you tell us. father" she said.
what Uncle Ryder told you? Luke
ought to know."
"Oh. rejoined Luke, there's no hurry
I'm sure. Colonel Harris will tell me
presently. Lou, you We're coming to
WY pam SllIo l1lOI lIlS Il suppose we
can't go to the Temple garden show
very WE'LL"
Not very we'll. I think" she replied,
but I'll come for a walk after. lunch
with pleasure. Father must tell us now
what Uncle Ryder said.
Then as Colonel Harris still seemed
to hesitate, she became more insistent,
and her voice more firm.
Father, DEAR she said, 81 must
know as we'll as Luke"
The old man took a turn up and down
the ROOM. with hands behind his back.
He would not look either at Louisa or
at Luke, for it would be easier to tell
them everything without meeting their
eyes. And he had to tell them every
thing. To her as we'll as to him. It
the subject, pretending that 1t was
trivial. unworthy of discussion.
Facts had to be faced at last. like
the dervishes at Omdurman. and a plan
of campaign decided on in the event of
momentary defeat.
Ryder he began quite abruptly at
last. had the hall porter of that CON
founded club up to his room while /
was there, and questioned him before
me-"
"He could suggested Luke. "only
repeat the story which we all know
already. / never denied seeing Philip
at the club or quarreling with him for
a matter of that. Hang it all, I have
often quarreled with him before"
YES" rejoined the colonel, they've
ferrested out the old servants Of your
uncle's household heard innumer-
able stories of quarrels."
Exaggerated, l expect. But what of
it?"
"And that hall porter didn't mince
matters. either, damn him."
Philip remarked, LUX dryly
shouted pretty loudly. I did not
THE porter said that when you left
the club you had murder in YOU eye.'"
Possibly"
You had overheard Philips last re-
mark to the pOrter?"
"Yes-something about Fostering
beggars. I was ready to max him
swallow his words, but I loathe q scene,
before people like those who frequent
the Veterans club"
II wish to goodness you had gon
for him then and there"
why"
"'This accursed business would not
have occurred"
"Oh. yes 1t w-ould--sooner or later"
What makes o say that?"
philip must have q an nemy.
"Who murdered him last night, you
think?"
IAN enemy" assented Luke, .who
evidently laid in wait for him and MUIR
dered him last night. 1t is bound to
come u at the inquest"
about this enemy 2" Queried Colonel
Harris vaguely.
why, yes" rejoined Luke a little i'm
patiently, surely the police nave made
other Investigations. They are not just
fastening on me and on no one else.'
"Could you," asked Louisa, help the
police In that, Luke?"
"No," he replied, II know absolutely
nothing about Philip or about his past
life."
ibid Lord Radclyffe?"