Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-05-23
CHAPTER VIII.
AND THUS THE SHADOW
DESCENnEn

From within the hum of a mans
voice-speaking low and mistakenly
stu came softly through. Luke, with
the prodigality of youth. would have
OF second sight, to now what went
on " those four walls beyond
the door where he himself stood ex-
pectant. undecided and more than va
guely nXiolS
Luke"
1t was quite natural that Louisa
should stand here beside him, having
come to him softly. noiselessly. Xix the
embodiment of moral strength and a
common sense which was almost a
virtue.
'Uncle Rad" he said quietly. has
locked himself in with this man"
Who is 1t, Luke3'
1.-The mar Who calls himself Phillip
de Mountfort."
How do you nowo"
How does one.' he rctorted, "know
such things?'
And Parker let him ino"
IL gave Parker Il five-pound note.
Parker is only a grasping fool. File
concocted the story of Mr.. Dobson
and the lease. He is always listening
at key holes. and he knows that Mr..
Dobson often sends up Il clerk with
papers for Uncle RAIDS signature.
Those things are not very difficult to
manage. If one man is determined and
h other %corruptible, it's done sooner
or later
lis Lord Radcliffe safe with that
Ia dc you think?"
God grant it," he replied fervent1y.
Jim and Edie made a noisy i%rruption
into the hall and Luke and Louisa
talked ostentatiously of Indifferent
things-the weather, Lent and the new
est play, until the young people had
gathered UP coats and hats and banged
the street door to behind them. TAX
ing their b%reeziness. their optimism,
away with them out into the spring
air. and leaving the shadows Of the
on-coming tragedy to foregather In
every angle Of the luxurious house in
Grosvenor square.
And there were Luke de Mountford
and Louisa Harris left standing alone
very simple-souled young people. face
to face for h first time In their UNI
eventful lives with the dark problem
OF a grim might be-" A locked door
between them and the decisions of fate,
a world of possibilities in the silence
door.
They NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. I'M
prepared for it. Unframed for any such
e~ventuality. Well bred and we'll
brought up. yet We're they totally I'M
educated in the great lessons OF life.
IL "os CD H a IhsStIl dOSO1utCly uIIUIOF0O
IN science were suddenly to be con-
fronted with a mathematical problem,
the solution or nOn-solution of which
would mean life or death to him. The
problem lay In the silence beyond the
locked door-silence broken now and
again by the persistently gentle hum
OF n man voice-the strangers-
but never by a word from Lord Rad
clyffe.
Uncle Rad, said Luke at last in
deep p~uzzlement, has never raised his
voice once. I thought that there would
ou of h house. Dear old chap he
hasn't much patience as a rule"
What shall we do. Luke?" she
asked.
How do you mean7"
You can't go on standing like that
n the hall as Il you were eavesdrop-
ping. The servants will be coming
through presently"
You are right, Lou" he said. las
usual. Til go into the dining room.
I could hear there II anything sus-
picious was happening In the library"
you are not afraid. Luke?"
For Uncle Rad, you mean?"
'Of course"
IT hardly know whether I am or
not. No. he said decisively after q
moments hesitation, II am not afraid
OF v1olence-the fellow whom we saw
In the park did not look that sort"
He led Louisa back into the dinins
room. where . couple Of footmen were
clearing away the luncheon things. The
melancholy Parker placed cigar bon
ana matches On q side table and then
retired-silent and with a wealth OF
Ioproach expressed In his round, beady
eyes.
Soon Luke ana Louisa were alone
He smoked and she sat In q deep arm
chair close to him saying nothing. fol
both knew what Went On in the 9th.
ers mind.
CONTINUED Next week.)
A machine u N use In London .,