Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1920-10-15
Continued from last week }
CHAPTER III.
Bonds.


Left alone on the porch the guest
again faced the sunset. But the daZ-
zling glories of red and gold were al
ready fading into the gray of twilight.
He looked absently at the blackened
bulk of the mountains, his expression
shifting between annoyance and
amusement, curiosity and apprehen-
sion.
He was still evidently considering
the situation when a small touring
car came whirring along the street in
the clear twilight. 1t stopped before
the house and Doctor Kirkland SpranS
out with a briskness unusual in gen.
tleman of his portly figure. He came
up TO the porch, his alert gaze on the
lone guest.
whats this?" he demanded. Don't
mean to say you've been left all this
time to entertain yOurself?"
"Not all the time," smilingly replied
the guest ION the contrary Miss
Kirkland and L" His look became
grave. Much to my regret Miss Kirk
Kirkland and yourself"
Naturally. But if her mother"
"She had gone in when Miss Kirk
land came around the house. | regret
that my insistence on my identity
rather Overcame her."
mot surprising, when she is en-
gagged to you, is it2'
Engaged to me! You mean of
course"
ITO your double, to Will Lowrie,"
explained the physician. DO you
need further proof that you are his
double?"
mo more. She was still quite posi-
tive, | fear. after all my attempts to
convince her of the mistake. How
ever, Mrs. Kirkland came, and no
doubt has explained the mistake to
her"
Every likely" agreed the physician.
81 would have gone had they not
very kindly insisted that l must re-
main."
"YOu must"
''It is very hospitable of you to In
sist Still do not wish to cause your
daughter the slightest distress"
Nothing would distress her more
than"-the physician considered the
point-"than to have you refuse our
hospitality"
THAT being so l am very glad to
stay. I've been recalling the fact that
men even of national prominence have
doubles who are mistaken for them.
My resemblance to Mr.. LOWrie Is not
so strong as | at first thought"
mot at ALL" replied Doctor Kirk
land, his shrewd eyes twinkling.
The guest stepped into the reception
hall and found himself in a well-fur-
nished, comfortable home. The rooms
were bright with the mellow radiance
of indirect electric lighting. The little
h.us, maid appeared, to take the
~ .t. hat and show him up the broad
~ his room.
When he came down he found his
host anu hostess waiting fer him in
the drawing room. The doctor still
wore his professional frOck coat. AS
he rose to meet his guest the maid an
nOunced dinner. Miss Ellen was not
with her parents.
Mrs. Kirkland chatted Familiarity
with Clinton as she led him into the
dining room. She observed him look
at the hOusemaid with amused eXpec-
fancy.
NO" she remarked, quick to catch
his thought. MARY will not be call
ing you Mr.. Lowrle. She was not with
US when you-when Will left"
'And Miss Kirkland?" he asked.
"Have you convinced her?"
The lady smiled the least bit forced
~. "Have no fear. Ellen now knows
the truth"
"That is good. / can understand
how 1t must have seemed to her. |
wonder If you can realize my embar-
rassment? Think of young lady mis-
taking one for her fiance!"
"Good joke that" put In the physi-
clan. "HOw many kissesY
Karl p reproved his wife.
They entered the dining room, the
lady indignant, her husband chuckling
and the guest trifie constrained.
Ellen stood at the far side of the oval
table arranging the lilies In the center.
She was pale and her eyelids were
slightly swollen. When she looked up
and saw Clinton across from her she
did not blush. If anything she became
still more pale. He was quick to OBJ
serve her appearance.
81 am very sorry, Miss Kirkland"
he murmured. ut must have been
quite shock"
"You must not blame yourself, she
replied. "It was simply that l did not
understand. Now, you see, am quite
over my-excitement." She smiled I'M
certainly at her father. between
courses papa can give me sedatiVe