The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-05-23
Continued From Last Weekly

Close on an hour went by and then
the tinkle OF a distant bell broke the
silence. Voices were heard somewhat
louder OF tone in the library, and Lord
Arm. - 49, TTT -
"Pll see you again tomorrow" he
said, at Mr.. -. Tell me the name
and address again, please"
The door leading from library to hail
was opened. A footman helped the
strange on with coat and hat. Then
h street door banged to again and
once more the house lapsed into ST.
lence and gloom. .
"I think / had, better go, now
Louisa rose and Luke said In mat
ter-of-fact tones:
I'll put you into a cab" 5%g.a
mo-" she said, Il prefer TO walk. I
am going straight back t. the Lang
ham. Will you go to the Ducies' at
home t%onight?" a}e.# IVY
YES" he said, "just to see you
You'll know more by then"
II shall know all there is to know"
Luke" she said. you are not
1t vas the second time she had put
the question to him, but this time its
purport was a very different one. He
understood it nevertheless, for he re-
piled simply:
only for you"
why for me2"
because, Lou, you are Just all the
world to me--and q man must feel a
little afraid when he thinks he may
lose the world" m W. "
mot me, Luke she said, you
would not lose me-whatever hap
pened," -~ssAT~>-~~-~-she-~-
Let me get you q cab"
He was English, you see, and could
not manage to say anything just then.
The food gates of sentiment might
burst asunder now with the slightest
word uttered that was not strictly
commonplace. Louisa understood, else
she had not loved him as she did. 1t
never occurred to her to think that he
was indifferent. Nay more, his sudden
transition from sentiment to the call
ing or a cab-from sentiment to the
trlyialities OF life pleased her In it's
Very essence Of incongruity.
II said I would walk" she reminded
him, smiling.
Then she gave him her hand. 1t
was still ~gloveless and he took It In
his, turning the palm upward so that
he might bury his lips in its delicately
perfumed depths. His kiss almost
scalded her flesh, his lips were burn
Ing not. Passion held In check will
consume with inward fire, while its ex-
precision often cools like the Nereid's
embrace.
He went to the door with her and
watched her slender, trim figure walk
ing rapidly away until it disappeared
round the corner OF the square. 81
When he turned back into the hall
he found himself face to face with
Lord Radcliffe. Not Uncle Rad-but
an altogether different man, an old
man now with the cynical lines round
the mouth accentuated and deepened
into burrows, the eyes hollow and col
orless. the shoulders bent as IL under
an ~unbearable load. .
Uncle Rad" said Luke speaking
very gently, forcing his voice to be-
tray nothing OF anxiety or surprise,
"can I do anything for your"
But even at sight Of his nephew. of
ceeded In dissipating by his very pres
ence every cloud on the misanthrope's
brow, wen at sight OF him, Lord Rad
clyffe seemed to shrink within himself,
his face became almost ashen in it's
pallor, and lines Of cruel hardness quite
disfigured his mouth.
II want to be alone today" he said
dryly. TELL them to send me up some
tea In the afternoon. I'll go to my
room now--I shan't want any dinner
But, sir, won't you?-"
II want to be alone today" the old
man reiterated tonelessly. and to be
left alone"
very "0At .bn.
Lord Radcliffe walked slowly toward
the staircase. Luke-his heart torn
with anxiety, and sorrow-saw how
heavy was the old mans step, how list
less his movements. The younger mans
instinct drew him instantly to the side
OF the elder: He placed an affectionate
hand on his uncle's shoulder.
Uncle Rad" he said appealingly,
cant I do anything for your"
Lord Radcliffe turned, and for a mo-
ment his eyes softened as they rested
on the face he loved so well. His
wrinkled hand sought the firm, young
one which fingered en- his shoulder,
But he did not take II, only put II
gently aside, then said quietly:
mo, my boy; there's nothing you
"a do, except to leave me alone"
Then he went upstairs and shut him
self up in his own room and Luke saw
him no more hat day.