The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-09-14

Right In front of us the road was lined
on either side with u row of Immensely
tall trees and the branches, meeting
overhead. formed long, dark tunnel,
through which tho wind moaned dis
mally As we drove into IL, there was
"a fluttering and cawing in tho tOpmost
bough as Q flock Of rocks disturbed by
the light, took wing. circling round and
round until we had passed. Every gust
OF wind sent a shower of huge drops DOWN
upon us from the trees.
Presently we came TO one of those inn
mense, old fashioned Rateways-with
massive pillars. surmounted by stone
figures. on either side-which impress
Que with their gloomy yet imposing
grandeur. l drew uD before IL. ana
glanced inquiringly at my companion.
" All ) here we are at lastP' he said.
Rather dismal looking place on "a
night like this. Mi ght l trouble you to
open the gatesY'
We drove up a long avenue, shaded with
trees, and sweeping round bend, came in
sight OF the house. 30 far as 1 could
make ont, 10 was great, bare, solid
looking building, more like an institute
of some sort than an ordinary country
mansion. Under my companions gCid-
ance, | backed the horse and trap into an
clubhouse, and following him round to
the front assembled "a flight OF broad stone
steps. Instead of knocking, he took u
heavy kew from his pocket, unlocked the
door and standing aside mOtioned me TO
enter.
ON getting inside, nv fast impression
was that | had stepped straight into ono
Of tho reception rooms. There was "a
shaded lamp on u table in the centre, "a
huge fireplace at one end, with u log lire
blinking and iiickering in tho Rfdte. The
stranger advanced 10 the table, ana turn
ed Up the lamp. l then saw that | stood
l..gV.
the ceiling was almost completely lost in
shade. Ihe furniture was Of massive
black oak. en- bolli shed with Guuiut de-
signs, uIon which the irelight played
with weird effect Ihe polished Cakcn
floor was strewn with costly skins. and
whenever | happened tp LOOK down, the
EXTENDED jaws and cleaning white teeth
OF tiger, OF some otncr savage brute,
met nly gaze High up In front. ana
extending round both side walls, was a
gallery. from under the dark shade of
which skeleton bends of stags, with their
groat branching antlorS. stared out at me.
While / was making mental note uf
these particulars, my companion strobe
20 tho fire threw on some fresh logs, and
motioncd me 60 "a seat. All tho time he
kSst his head slightly turned away from
me- ns N anNiuus 10 avoid my Rnzc, |
drew my chair forward ana warmed my
numb fingers NJ tho blaze waiting Tor
MIN 10 open the CONVERSATION lnstead or
doing so, however he began TO pace up
and down the ball, with his hands clasped
behind his hack. At every step | could
hear the water squolching in his boots.
watched him intently over my
shoulder. Gradually his manner changed
he appeared aRitited and distressed his
fingers worked ncrvouslv. nnd n half
stiflod exclamation broke from him more
than once. His movements, too, Lctraved
the conflict which was raging In his
mind; az times his step was slow and
halting then so rapid that hr crossed from
end 20 end Of the hall In "a few hasty
strides IL seemed 60 me n ~ he was
fighting against some impulse. which
no stroye 90 keep down. and vet ] could
SEQ 10 was gradually asserting its intlucncc
over hlm. ! waited m siiont expectation,
wondering wpat was coming
Perhaps you will ie V"Ld enough 60
tell, ! bogah az length.
pausinR in the midst 0l stride be
turned quickly around, and for the first