The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-03-29
mo, don't think So" he answered,

by the bye I said, presently, "did
you notice the new photograph we have
Of him in the drawing rooms He sent it
to us six months ago."
"No, didn't observe it," he replied.
1--WE can have look at it now, then"
I said, rising as / spoke, and leading the
way toward the adjoining room, followed
closely. by my visitor.
The photograph, which was hanging on
the wall with several others, was q large
and most ljfe-like representation of Ar
thur; it was absolutely impossible for
anyone who had once seen himto mistake
1t; nevertheless, to my surprise, Mr..
Gordon directed his gaze toward another
photograph. Whether his quick instinct
or my involuntary correction of the mis-
take by an indicating motion of my hand
toward the real picture helped him toward
| rapid rectificatiOn of his error l could
not tell. The little incident passed by;
the photograph was duly admired and
pronounced a most capital portrait; and
we passed ON TO other topics. But an i'm
preston had been made upon my mind
an impression l could neither resist nor
dismiss, in fact could hardly have shaped
into words; but nevertheless it was there
an intangible something's doubt, nay
| almost dread, of my visitor.
would not press Mr.. Gordon to stay;
did not feel so cordial to him-that was
the truth; and was growing more and
| more uncomfortable at what my wife
would think of my having done SO at all.
How glad would be to see them all back
| again. The time had never dragged so
YEARLY as on the third day of Mr.. Cor
don's visit. don't think have men,
toned that it was in the month of October
that all these things happened; the days
were getting shorter and shorter, and on
this particular one darkness had come on
more than usually fast; it was raining
too. so we-my guest and Sat in the
library carrying on rather vapid CONVEX
satiOn. At last the servant appeared,
bringing in lamp, which, with its shade
on, she placed about the center of the Ia
BILE by which Mr.. Gordon was sitting. His
hand was lying listlessly upon it, and for
the first time observed the peculiar size
of it, and the long, 1.-the fingers-very
bOny aud thin, except at the tips and
joints which were Of extraordinary pro.
portions. A powerful hand--a clasping,
clutching looking hand-not pleasant
one to encounter in anger. could fancy
here again INDUCED in a terrifying
reverie; but l checked myself; l called
myself fool. I, a man come to my time
OF life. giving way to such absurdities; it
was degrading! banished them as we'll
as | could; but the light from the lamp
still fell so directly upon that hand that
was glad when the announcement of din
ner caused thorough interruption to nv
musings. We did not sit up so late that
evening-neither seemed disposed to do
SO; and at about 1890 l found myself
safely shut up in my bedroom, preparing
for rest. What prompted me, do not
know 1T certainly was not according to
my usual custom-but it occurred to me
to take out and examine my revolver.
There it was lying in its case; but-did
my eyes deceive me, or was dreaming?
the cartridges were gone! the pistol was
empty. stood transfixed few seconds;
cold thrill ran down my backbone. l
could not doubt who had done it; and as
in case with a drowning man, before
whose eyes they say, during the short
space of time during which semi-con-
sciOusness remains, a lifetime of events
flashes by, so did a thousand suspicious
circumstances connected with my brothers.
friend fit through my brain. l had been
deceived; he was, without doubt. what,
almost unconfessed to myself, l had been
thinking he was all day-an impostor and
scoundrel, who meant not only to rob my
house, but to murder me if attempted
the faintest resistance.
That he was one of the gang going
about, also suspected; and, if that sup
position was correct, doubtless he had
more accomplices who would come to
assist him in his depredations. 1t was not
a pleasant position for man to be in,
however brave he might he, and for me it
was simply terrific.
1t would be madness to 60 to his room
and confront him; such a course would
only preciDitate matters; must act
he done. and done quickly.
1t was stormy and tempestuous night;
the rain was beating upon the windows in
perfect torrents, and the wind was high.
That was in my favor; for resolved, after
a short period Of delibcration, to lose not
moment in leaving the house, and Slip
ping round to the stable, to saddle my
horse and gallop 10 LOwton for assistance.
in making my exit from my bedroom, the
door of which locked, and also closed
and locked the dressing.rOom door which
led into the bedroom, leaving the door to
it, which opened ON the landing, unlocked,
SO that if my suspicious were correct
and l doubted less and less that they were
so-the seizure of plate would suffice to
keep intruders occupied, and prevent them
from SO soon discovering my absence.
AT last opened the window, which was
not very far from the ground, and, drop
ping gently down, cautiously crept round
to the back yard. feared Rover might
betray me; but, as got close to his ken
mel. was astOniShed to hear no move.
ment.
"Rovcrv' I said, softly; "good dog!
Rover, old fellow!'
But no answering sound greeted me; all
was silent, except the steady splashing of
the rain and the bowling wind.
"Rov erp' repeated; /" Rover" bend
ing down and thrusting my hand into the
kennel, in my anxiety for my favorite, al
most forgetting my possible danger.
I felt the familiar head and rough coat,
but it was lifeless body that lay so mo-
tionless under my anxious touch. Rover
was dead! A cold dew broke out all over
me. was specifies with rage, grief
and Indignation. But there was no time
to indulge in such feelings; assurance had
now been made doubly sure; the same
hand that had drawn my cartridges had
poisoned my dog, and would as ruthlessly
take my life away, if deemed expedient.
To gain the stables and slip the saddle
on my horse was the work of moment
only; and favored by the noise of the
raging elements, led him out with the
certainty that no one in the house could
hear what was going on. As l passed
through the gate, glanced up toward my
guests chamber, from which could see
a bright light proceeding. That was sat
isfactory; he had not begun operations
yet. Then mounted and, choosing a
back way, set off at hard gallop for
Lowton. 1t was four. mile ride to the
police station, but got over it in some
thing less than fifteen minutes. did not
take long to explain my errand, which
did by simply stating that I had sus-
picion something was meditated, from
the combined facts of ROver's death and
the drawn cartridges.
1t did not require any persuasion to
get couple of stalwart policemen to &C.
company me back-they we've so anxious
to succeed in capturing the thieves that
not a chance was thrown away. It was