Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-01-08

/ as Jessie SC fancifully suRgested2 In
any case, must have up another bottle
Of that Yquem and make myself COM
Portable. I feel as shaizy as q loon."
Lighting a small lamp used for run
ming about the house, he took his way
| down the cellar stairs, but suddenly
/ paused in the middle of the descent,
snufhng audibly-
snow, there's that smell of cooking
again!" he muttered, looking startled, as
he peered into the darkness around him
Somebody must be roasting beef at 40
great distance! How can that odor in
| wade this house so strOngly2 Is there
really an underground passage to the
lake, as reported?"
He Snuhed again with increased vigo T
continuing TO investigate his surround
| ings.
ain any case" he added 81 must have
| that bottlei never felt more in need Of
bracing up thoroughly Ughl I'm
| fairly Wild"
Resuming progress, he descended the
stairs and visited the wine-vault, secur-
| ing the bottle he wanted, but not with
out many a startled and suspicious glance
around him.
SThe place must certainly be haunt
ed" he calculated, as he began ascend
| ing the stairs. Il hear something NOV
footsteps rolling as Of mufled
thunder
He sped upward rapidly, emerging
from the staircase, the door of which
| closed behind him with the double Vio-
| lence Of q sharp draft of air and his
nervous haste, and the noisy jar thus
| produced was followed by an unmistak-
| ale fuster Of voices.
| But just where2
Hardly knowing what he did, Radd
| extinguished his lamp and thrust his
bottle of Yquem into one of his capa-
cious pockets, listening with all the in
tentness Of a sudden terror.
"This way, Mr.. Moreland," suddenly
| called deep but pleasant voice. al am
awaiting the pleasure of your company"
This greeting came from the dining
room. the door of which was opened at
| this moment, allowing a strong glare of
light to fall upon the face and form of
the startled plotter.
| "Who-who are your" he gasped, in
undisguised bewilderment, as he stared
at figure seated at the table.
@Come here and see, please"
Radd hesitated another moment, and
then began moving slowly toward the
| d1ntng-room, with staring eyes and
fascinated air, precisely as a bird which
| has been charmed by a serpent advances
| toward the jaws awaiting to seize it.
"Show Mr.. Moreland in, Tippoo," or
| dered the gentleman seated at the table,
with a graceful wave of the hand, ad-
| dressing some person still invisible to
Radd. "That sudden glare Of light
seems to have blinded himi"
The words had scarce been enurciated
| when the sleek, supple figure of a we'll
| dressed Hindoo appeared, lamp in hand,
| at the entrance of the dining-room, and
inclined itself with inimitable dignity
and politeness to Radd, with the words:
walk in, please. My master desires
the pleasure of your company to sup
perl"
Radd managed to incline his head with
an air of comprehension, continuing to
advance, and in another moment was
! within the dining-roOm, with such a
wondering and dazed look on his feat
ures that any one seeing it would have
| readily OWNED that it was out of his
| power to utter word.
'This is really a great pleasure, Mr..
| Moreland, said the self-constituted host,
as he arose briskly from the table, and
advanced to meet Radd, whom he took
| by the hand with graceful politeness. 81
was just wishing I could have a COM
! panion in the repast with which 1 am
| about to close the day, and here comes a
gentleman who does not all seem a
stranger to social glass or to an excel
lent dinner. But sit down, Mr.. More
land-sit down."
He shook Radios hand warmly, con-
Quoted him to the table, and installed
him solicitously in the post of honor.
| He was man OF some fYe-and-fortY
years of age, with a complexion that had
originally been forid, although his fea-
lures now displayed deep, dark bronze
which attested that they had been ex-
posed to many years of tropical SUM-
shine.
His form was of medium height, but of
the finest proportions, and single
glance would have sufficed to tell an
observer that he enjoyed the best OF
health.
He was, indeed, so visibfy the possessor
of rare strength and agility that few
men, after looking into his keen, blue
eyes, would have Ventured to attack him.
Yet his aspect was as pleasant as COM
handing, and no one could have long
remained in his presence without learn
ing that he was one of the most genial OF
men.
He was attired with that quiet ele-
gance and costly simplicity which ever
indicate the possession of unlimited
wealth, and there were certain singulari
ties in his speech and manner which
attested cosmopolitan experiences, anC
even suggested that he must have passed
long years in some far country of the
East.
"Many, many thanks" gasped Radd
with a wondering glance at his host anC
a look at the grave Hindoo servant which
had an imprint of positive terror. "YoJ
you are very kind, sirl I had no idea
i this is all so strange-pardOn mel"
He passed his hand nervously over hi
) forehead, and it was easy to divine tina
a little more pressure of the sort to which
he was already subjected would Gauss
) him to fly shrieking from the house, o
: | DaralVZa him entirely
J "You are quite eXcusable, sir" re
! turned the host, with an increase, if pos
! sible, of his smiling suavity. "Permi
T me to offer you glass of rare East In
dian wine"
: His action corresponding to the word
: Radd raised the glass IN HIS Inns with