Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-05-16
CHAPTER ".

CHAPTER ".
The air was dark and still when Sir
Jasper Welland alighted at the wayside
station that night. The snow had ceased
falling. and a few stars twinkled in the
sky.
There was no other passenger for Cd
swinton by the late train; and when the
sleepy porter had escorted Sir Jasper
10 his carriage. which. with the disgraced
Dobson in charge, awaited him. he turn
cd ont the lights, locked up the station
for the night, and returned drowsily to
his adjacent cottage.
Sir Jasper. as was his custom when
disinc,ined 20 handle the reins, sat alone
on the back seat. sitting sidewise in the
rieht-haud corner. with great bearskln
rug raped closely round him.
OUT i'm the road the darkness seemed TO
become denser. like vast pail entolding
them. The carriage lamps flashed bright
III upon the road, and revealed the track
of footprints and trace of wheels. Pass
ing through the sleeping village OF ASH
hurry. q solitary light shone moment
through the window, and as Sir Jasper
idly watched 1t was oNtinSuished.
Ashley proceeded further along the lone
Iv miles living between Odswinton station
and Yerand Court, signs Of traffic be
came fewer and fewer. until the unblem-
isbed vbiteness Showed no record Of hui
man life.
Something of this impressed Sir Jasper
as he sat snugly tucked in his rugs. Dob
eor and he might have been the pioneers
of "a new civilization, sojourners in lana
NJ silent night. where no man had ever
trod before. So might the primeval world
have looked ere humanity appeared 10 sui
" it's purity.
He thought of Wifred his boy, his other
self 10 avert trouble from whose glad
spirit would he cheerfully have been reft
his own. Irwardly he rejOiced IN his
action respecting Mrs. Mongorton, con-
graduating himself that soon he would
have the proofs necessary to release MS
nephew from her thraldom. Then he
dre,rf'y began 10 picture a long tour Will
fred and he might enjoy together. Ihey
would visit Japan, the land of flowers; ana
Africa. see the tropical forests, get or
,rff-- what was fl Maquistan had SAID
about the stolen orchids as he was start
iuc- oh. YES: Dobson had taken them' ne
had been too busy TO think of that SUBJECT
all dav: but OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Inc
doc cart was slowly ascending the long
stone of the hill as Sir Jasper, tired out
with his journey, relapsed into a pro-
found sleep.
Slowly the dog cart proceeded. The hill
vas a high one. but the slope vas very
Gradual and took some time to ascend.
Na6niebt chimed family from far-dis-
tant church tower.
something of the weird influence oil the
stiffness seemed TO impress even the I'M
imaginative groom. who shivered Mite
and urged on his horse.
A few moments more and the dog cart
had paesed the lodge gates Of NeIIahu
Court. and the avenue was quickly ira
versed.
Most of the windows were closely cur
+ofrod and on the snowy path the Vehi-
c1e.s approach had given little warning.
Drawing up I'm front of the hail door
Dobson Jumped out. glad to stretch ms
cramped limbs, and stood holding the
horses head. expecting his master 10
alicht: hut Sir Jasper made no sign.
After waiting little Dobson cougheu
and ratified the harness suggeSuVey'
SEN his master sat motionless. Dooso'l
could see his figure vaguely in the lght
from, the old fashioned lantern suspended
over the portico. sunk in an odd position
The head resting heavily on the right
shoulder.
Tirallv deciding that Sir Jasper must
Inc asleep. Dobson stepped to the rear Oh
the low dog cart and spoke.
eve are at ONE, Sir Jasper
The silent form returned no answer.
"Tbis is Weuaud Court, Sir Jasper.
We've got ONE sir" Still no reply.
Wondering and impatient. Dobson put
ont his hand and touched the fur rug.
An instant later he had rushed to the
door and was batteriug upon it, calling
frautically for aid.
yvufred. smoking jacket over his eve
,,,r, drsss hurried TO the door followed
closely nv Parkinson. evidently aroused
from n nap. The brilliant light of the hall
revealed the terrified face of the groom
who clutched them wildly gasping out;
"Trsln, help, For Gods sake keep him
AWAY from me, Hide me. Oh help!
Cb,l,irr the frenzied man into corner
y,-rers5 dashed ont. The tall trees doomed
eb,dowv I'm the dim light The tired hose
,,rnatientIy shook his bride. on the back
.,1- of the dog cart Sir Jasper sat quietly
unconscious of ,he commotion.
"1.ncre, uncle" he cried, forehoding
~ something iuexpHcablc gripping hls
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