The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-07-25
CHAPTER XII.
THEN TIE MIRACLE WAS
WROUGHT

THEN II MIRACLE WAS
WROUGHT.
When Colonel Harris once more ar
rived at the Langham he found Luke
and Louisa comfortably installed in
front of the private fire in the private
sitting room up stairs. She was lean
ing back against the cushions, her head
resting in her hand, he at the foot of
the sofa, his hands encircling one knee,
gazing now and then into the fire, now
and then into her face.
Not troubled creatures these, not man
and woman fighting a battle against
life, against the world, for honor, for
peace, and for love; not souls racked
by painful memories of the past or
grim dread of the future: only two
very ordinary human beings, with a life
behind them of serene contentment, So
cial duties worthily performed, a
smooth lake Whereon not q ripple of
sorrow or disgrace ever dared to mar
the shiny surface.
And the ruling passion strong in
death was stronger still in face of this
new life to be led: the life of tomorrow,
full of the unknown, the ugly, the sor-
did and mean, full of nameless dangers
and of possible disgrace. The puppets
were still dancing, moved by the invis-
ible strings held by the hand of the i'm
placable giant called Conventions: they
danced even as though no gaping and
raVenous lions, no Bulls of Bashan,
were there to see. Even before each
other they hid the secret mysteries of
their hearts; he his overwhelming pas
sion for her, she her dread for his i'm
mediate future.
They had not forborne to talk of
Philip de Moutford's death; they
would not nave admitted that there
was anything there that could not be
discussed with perfect Indifference
she, reclining against the cushions. and
he in immaculate morning coat, with
ha1r smoothly brushed, and s~peckless
tie and linen, talking of things which
meant life or death for them both.
He had told her all he knew, his visit
to Philip at the Veterans club, his
quarrel with him, the hatred which he
bore to the man that was dead. He
made no secret of the police officers
questionings, nor of DR.. Newington's
extraordinary attitude.
"One would think those fellows had
a suspicion that l had murdered Phil
ip," he said quite lightly.
And her face never moved whilst she
listened to these details, Analysing
with those at which the morning pa
pers had limited the Clues and
startling developments" to obtain
confirmation of which her father had
gone out to seek Sir Thomas Ryder.
Luke de Mountford would no more
i@'S VI lCiliAlS oui vi liz
dark suspicious which really threat
ened him, than he would have laid bare
before her some hideous wound, If he
happened to be suffering from one.
The police officers insolence and the
doctors easy contempt had sounded a
note of warning of what was imminent,
but beyond that he had no fear. Why
should he have? And having none,
why worry Lou with plants that might
agitate her?
Remember hat he individually was
quite convinced that Philips murderer
would soon be discovered. He too a
read his morning paper, and knew as
well as anybody that for the moment
suspicion rested upon him. Seek whom
the crime will benefit" was a phrase
freely used in the press this morning.
But it was only a question of time;
an unpleasant phase to be ~traversed.
some mud that presently would nave
to be brushed off. No use to worry
Louisa with it. Fortunately she took
it lightly, too. She vas far too en-
sible to attach Importance to such nom
sense.
boundless profusion was apt to hurt
very considerably. Luke had to set his
teeth this morning when he perused the
Times and even now there was In him
a sensation of having been bruised all
over, after his second interview with
ITdNcTS, anu Ills ldlh Will *. 1tCWlllS-
ton in the library. Louisa did him good.
She was calm and sensible and a WON
an Of the world. She never puzzled
| Luke, nor had h that vague longing
to be misunderstood, the peculiar at
tribute Of the woman of today. In
face Of her serenity he almost despised
himself for the intensity of his own
| passion. She was so pure, sc womanly
in er tenderness, a girl still, she was
hardly conscious of passion. But she
knew that he was in pain-morally and
mentally in pain-and that worse was
yet to come; and she, the commonplace
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 troubled and every nerve
And thus Colonel Harris found
them.
When he entered, Louisa was re.
counting to Luke the menu of las
nights dinner.
And Homard a la Danoise was 9
perfect dream" h was saying. "l
suppose 1t would not be etiquet to ash
her excellency for the recipe"
Luke rose as the colonel entered ant
passed his hand across the back o.
his smooth head, a gesture peculiarly
English and peculiarly his own. Th,
older man was undoubtedly the mos
troubled of the three.
Its a damnable business, this" HI
said as soon as he had shaken Luke By
the hand and thrown of Ia and coat
Does Sir Thomas Ryder" asked
Luke lightly, .salso think that I hav,
murdered Philip"
He knew where Colonel Harris has
been. Louisa had not thought Of keep
ing this from him.
Toms a FOOL retorted the colone
inyoluntarily.
It was tantamount to an avowal
Luke never flinehed: he even contrive'