Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-07-28
A TERRIBLE SECRET
The Curse Of the More
lands.
GY LEON LEWIS.
CHAPTER yl.-sContinued.)

Morcland." resumed the host, as he filled
the glass of his guest second time, "Ior
asking YOU to my table without having
had the honor of previous acqualnt-
ance."
mo excuses are Necessary, my dear
sir.n returned Radd, beginning to feel
little more at his ease, although a tremor
still shook him every time his gaze en-
countercd the sleek Hindoo hoverlng
behind the masters chair. u am
delighted to make your acquaintance,
sir"
"Then permit me to ring at once Tor
our supper" said the host, touching
silver-toned bell placed near him. "For
my part, am impatient to do IL Justlce'
TippOo."
The Hindoo hastened to open the
kitchen door, at nod from his master,
when a tall and robust Bengalese woman
came into the dining-room, bearing a
large tray which contained all the
essentials of repast of several covers,
Including the fine loin Of roast beel
whose appetizing Odors had previously
fixed Radd's attention.
To describe the wild stare OF the
startled plotter is no easy matter.
The huge, massive circlets OF gold on
the fingers and in the ears of the East
Indian woman, the flaming bandana tow
ering upon her head, her tawny complex
ion: the deep, liquid blackness OF her
ewes; and the weird blending of colors
displayed by the folds OF her ample rooe
all gave Radd a sense of mingled won
der and terror,
He could only continue to stare as
Tippoo gave his assistance to the new
conner. and the couple proceeded, with
celerity as wonderful as their silence, TO
arrange upon the table repast that
would have tempted the most Indifferent
Sybarite.
"Of course you will try the roast beef,
Mr.. Morcland?" remarked the host, as he
seized carving knife and fork and pro-
ceeded TO carve the lOin. "What is your
preference"
81 am not at all particular, sir, re-
nlied Radd. pinching his hands as they
met under the edge of the table, to be
sure that he was not dreaming. "A NJ
tic of the fat with an outside piece, II IL
just as handy"
"Ah. we'll done. then?" returned the
host as he helped his guest. "Our tastes
agree perfectly. Kettle, the vegetables"
Host and guest were quickly helped to
everything they desired, and the manner
of the former continued so kind and at
teptjye that Radd readily assentcd to the
demands of his appetite, as sharpened by
the glass of wine he had taken, and be-
gan giving adequate attention to the
tempting repast which had been SO
strangely placed before him.
Little more was said, in fact. until the
appetite of the host and guest had been
in a great measure appeased, but not
once did Radd find the Hindoo and the
Bengalese woman near him, in the atten'
tive service they gave him, without pro
found nervous tremOr, so deeply was ne
impressed by their appearance and man
Der.
AS the meal progressed. however, the
generous East India wine Radd con
tinued to imbibc did not fail of its du'
effects, and gradually he grew calme
and less apprehensive, at length going s.
far as to laugh heartily at some of th
pleasant observations of his host.
al am glad to see you feeling more
home with me-" remarked the latter
after one of these laughs "YOu SCENE
at first quite startled at my presence a
The Elms."
$50 | was. sir" returned Radd, "an
am likely to remain so if you do nc
Go me the honor of telling me who yo
are!"
"What are you ignorant of my ideI
tity?"
"As much so, confess, as if my eye
never had the pleasure OF resting upo
you"
"Why. | am the very man OF who
you were speaking not long ago to Van(
Wyeville."
"What-what man?"
"Mr. Chapman"
Radd started, pushing his chair bac
from the table, and looking as if h
supper had suddenly soured upon h
stomach.
"The husband of your niece, yC
know" pursued the host, with a slnguli
smile.
Radd withdrew still further, staring
his entertainer with wild, blOod-sh
eyes.
ayes, sir, Mr.. Chapman, the master
q three-masted schooner which trad
between Chicago and Buffalo, continue
the host, as his strange smilc deepene
"I have had terrible quarrel with Je
sic. and am not likely to visit this nelg
borhood again for some time to com
but YOU and | will always be go
friends. Mr. MOreland."
Radd uttered suppressed shrle
carving his hands to his head
Ho comprehended it all, or at les
thought he did.
He was ballucinated-th sport of
hideous illusion.
He was being punished for lying
He was taking supper with phs
tom.
"Help. murder" he cried, running
fingers through his hair and sprlnglng
his feet; "I've got 'em again."
The host made a gesture to Ilpp'
who fastened to ignite something
sembling an ordinary parlor match
mass it under Radd's nose.
The next instant the guest reeled, a
would have fallen hcadlong if Tipl
had not received him in his stout ar
and lowered him gently to the floor.
II must have been some ten minu
later when Radd recovered his consclo
ness and opened his eyes,
He found himself in total darkne
and could not at first make out where
was or what had happencd.
Gaining his feet, he CROPPED aimles
about few moments, and then lightln
match, surveyed his surroundings.
He was still in the dining-room, but
saw not the least reminder OF
feast at which he had so recently beer