The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1895-08-22
6be SHADOW c.
,..,>> :; ~, Of a Crime.

\ OF OAK ALMOST Dldch WIFI age, anu us
old-fashioned cumbrOus furniture OF
black mahogany. y few pictures h
might have been good had the CRIME
Of years permitted II 10 see them,
We're the only ornaments.
Not eve the golden light OF the
summers evening, which streamed i'll
through the two long narrow will
dows, could Tighten the gloom Of the
apartment.
At the head of the table sat Mr..
MedlicOtt himself.
He was a man about fifty years of
age, with iron-gray hair and whiskers,
and the look of precision, in semi-din-
ner dress. Il frock coat taking the
place of a swallow-tail, a high shirt
collar and n very stiff cravat.
"By-the-by, uncle, just before we
came to the door we net a man in
curing for you" said Godfrey. Il
told him to come back in al hour
Indeed said Mr.. Medlicott indif-
ferently. "A young MANI
Yes; about five and twenty, l should
think"
"Ah, then | know who it is. Daw-
son." addressing the man servant,
when he returns ask his name. If
1t be Luke Abershaw, show him into
my study and let me know
! Both Rosamond and Godfrey won
ed who Luke AberShaw might be,
49,, when Mr.. Medlicott withheld in
formation no one cared to question
him.
There was nothing in the CONVERSE
ton that passed during the meal that
need be recorded here.
AS the clock upon the m~antlepiece
struck eight Dawson announced that
Mr.. Luke AbershawI had arrived, and
was then in the study.
Excuse me rising" said Mr.. Medli-
colt, but l wish to see this young
man particularly"
Mr.. Medlicott's study or library was
a good-siZed room on the other side
of the large, gloomy hall, fitted up
with books, which reached nearly from
floor to ceiling.
Lighted by only one window which
was draped by heavy green curtains,
it was always a sOmbre place: and al
though the sun had but just set, it
was already full of deep shadows.
Standing at the window looking
down upon the sloping garden, and
over upon the great wilderness of Lon
don, with its smoke pail, and upon its
Surrey hills. which doomed darkly
through the gray vapor, and up at the
bright blue sky just above, still shot
with the golden sunlight, stood a man
dressed in n black frock coat, not In it's
gloss, but carefully brushed and clean
ed. and a pair of dark green trousers.
His figure was small, his shoulders
STOPPING, his height about live feet
seven, his hair quite black.
This much could be seen of him as
he stood with his back to the door,
seemingly so absorbed in his cOntemp-
lation that he vas not aware of Mr..
MedlicOtt's presence until that gentle
man coughed.
Then he turned around.
The front view presented the same
idea of responsibility struggling with
poverty TO keep up appearances.
The "turned-down shirt collar was
~scrupulously clean, through frayed at
the edges, and the black necktie was
rusty and showed signs of wear.
He wore slight whiskers, but the up
per lip and chin were shaven, though
the beard was worn according to &c
natural growth about the throat.
The complexion was pale, of the
Bdiiol tuut goes WIFI SdHul IilT THlH-
er than with black, the face thin, the
forehead high and narrow.
The under lip vas very thin and
almost hidden beneath the upper,
which protruded a little; the nose was
sharp and hony, the eyes set and Of a
reddish brown.
AS the cOuntenance was turned upon
MedicOtt ii wore a humble, not + say
60 u nrinUinp 1nply. inInrI f,nn, h,nJ -
foot the man looked apologize, as
though doubtful of his reception.
His hands were long, thin and i'll
shapen, but the length and the ap-
pearance of the nails told they were
not used to hard work.
How do you do. Mr.. Abershaw,"
said Mr.. Medlicott: take a seat"
Mr.. Abershaw seated himself upon
a chair, the back Of which was against
the window.
] You We're secretary or amanuensis
I" my old friend. Mr.. John Roberts, |
see" said Mr.. Medlicott, taking a note
book and letter from his pocket.
Il was, sir. and he was very anxious
when he went away to America TO
provide me with some employment"
"He speaks very highly Of you in
his letter, though cannot understand
how he came to know that | was in
want of an amanuensis. l have only
mentioned ii at the office, thinking one
OF my w clerks might undertake
what | want, but they don't seem in
clined to give up their evenings, and
they certainly have enough to do. l
must warn you, Mr.. Abershaw, the pay
will be small-so small that | cannot
see that it will be worth your accept
ance."
However small it may be, l shall
be glad Of it. sir"
Mr. Medlicott coughed and referred