The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-07-29

he shivered as he looked into the window,
tcrowded with . motley collection Of old trink-
pts, revolvers, fddles, miniatures and musty
books. upon which one puny gas jet cast q faint
Sight. His breath CONCEALED into a misty film on
the pane, and the picturesque heap Of rubbish
within gradually faded from sight. The wind
drove the sleet and snow down the half
tstreet In wild gusts; in cruel delight it snatchsd
4hs poor fellows misshspsn hat, and when no
3clspped his hands to his head took occasion TO
BLOW up under his bustonless coat with a frigid
gust that made his tosth chatter and rat
ale like . telegraph instrument in a de-
serted coutry station. He stepped
4uto the entry-way to get some
protection from the increasing storm. As he
leaned against the door, drawing himself as far
back as possible. the weak catch gave way with
a click, the door few open and he staggered
fback int the shop. The door struck the warn
sng bell above it with a crash and set it ringing
and janglinR at q terrific rate. There was q sort
{of wall in its tone, it seemed to him; the clang-
ling, tolline sound filed the place and echoed
and eechoed among the dusty piles of ~cast-of
stuff Of every description. The strange, dolefui
'elang of the vibrating bell seemed to be repeat
ing the words written over the gate Of Dante's
Hell: hope abandon ye who enter in "All
hope abandon. ys who enter in" over and
over with monotonous wailing iteration. fainter
and fainter, like the cry Of a falling spirit The
storm outside sounded cheerful beside this de-
moniac ~claneor. and be started toward the door
again, when some curtains at the back of the
shop parted and a voice said. with a peculiar ac-
cent:
Good evening. SIR
lie turned and saw In the dim light a little
bent form advancing. There was something
fascinating in the soft tones of the voice and
she CLEAN Of the eyes. the only feature Of the
face clearly diseernible. The little man closed the
door. He could now see that the pawn-broker
mad . heavy black beard. foe olive skin. shapeiy
squiline nose. with thin ~nostrils. showing quick
susceptibilitiss; on his head was a dark purple
,skull cap. from which his hair came out behind
In thick. glossy waves; he was short, and seemed
reformed, though he was not hump-backed.
The little man motioned TO his visitor TO fol-
dow him. and led the way toward the back room.
sToe pawn-h.oker pulled back the curtain, while
q smile erept over his face, a strange smile. in
which there was no suggestion of merriment or
good feeling IL was only the cold, muscular,
'sSulIess ,rsage OF the real thing: Darby thought
when he saw It of the words the
Changing bell seemed to repeat IAN
hope abandon 20 who enter i'm The warmth
and coziness OF the little room at oncs banished
oil such thoughts from bis mind. IL was n lux
urious study, furnished with o richness and
taste tina, startled one. coming in from the din
gy. dirty confusion OF the shop. An open fire
burned 10 the ire place. the tiles of which rep
resented what might have been sections OF
Michael Angeles Last Judgment. or hints from
A; while the brass andiroLs supported the heads
.of grinning monsters. whose faces rwitched in
tho play Of shadows. One side of the room
WAS q great three-p aneled screen. Of which the
fireplace formed tho central section. with the
two wings turned outward. cutting of the sharp
corners on that side Along the opposite wall
.were several book shelves containing volumes
an dark leather. with here and there .
vellum cover or ancient sheepskin; in
front OF the shelves were Amber-colorsd
curtains partially drawn back. Above
one o. the book cases stood n copy of the LAGOON
In marble. Darby thought be bad never before
seen such a marvellous miniature OF this antique
masterpieces; while over the mAntel WAS an ex-
q~uisitely handled engraving Of Lsouardod a VIM
els MeGasa. that made tee visitor start aud
shudder as he saw the writhing snakes above
the horrible trunkless head. The carpet was
thick AMI soft. of dark rich harmoniziug colors;
slong ons OF The slopipg walls next the fireplace
was an inviting divan covered with . Persian
rug. and corresponding to IL on the other side
Vas . great easy char placed before . tai ms