The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-18

p,cion which I had previously formed
that Dyer was really in room on the
ground floor. observed that the whole
north end of the house seemed closed.
10 was from a room in that part of the
dwelling that the young man had me
on the preceding night. Had he been
watching with an invalid, or guarding
q prisoner? / resolved to solve the
problem before another night had
passed.
II may seem strange that among my
theories, did not consider the possi-
bility that Dyer was purposely avoid
ing me. In explanation / can say only
that my theories were based upon my
knowledge of the man. He was not one
to hide from friend or foe. l believed
that, If left to his own choice, he would
receive me with the heartiest cordial
thy. 1t was impossible that my inter-
cessfon on behalf of his cousin had Of
fenced him to such a degree that he did
not wish TO see me.
1 remainded all day among the hills,
observing the house from different
points. Hunger drove me to a farm
house in the afternoon. 1t was poor
abode as ever l saw in the country, but
full of good will The farmers wife
lamented heartily that she could give
me no better entertainment, but to-
morrow was her baking day." and
everything was clean eat up" There
was no cooked food in the house except
a pumpkin pie baked in a yellow,
earthenware dish, three inches deep.
This she sat before me with a. pitcher
of milk, and l made a meal of them.
The pie was sombre with molasSeS
which impaired an acidity to 1T that
was not unpleasant at first, but it grew
upon me IN succeeding hours l think
the pangs of remorse must be some
thing like that, when one has, really
sinned, However, one cannot cure re-
morse with bicarbonate of soda. 1 rode
zen miles to lockwood for this useful
drug, and incidentally obtained from
the apothecary some bits of informa-
tion about Bertram Dyer.
HE used to come over here quite
sc me, when he and his folks fust moved
into the old Peters place." said the
druggist, but lately l amt seen moth
ing of him. l guess he's trading with
somebody over in Greenville way. His
folks buy their groceries over there. 1
/ amt sold any medicine to him lately
and guess maybe he's better. Be you
going up that way"
Possibly. Would / be- coming back
by way of lockwood? If so. would 1
drop in? lockwood folks would be
glad to hear how Mr. Dyer was getting
along. Some of them had read one of
his books, and they thought it pretty
good for young man to write. They
were hopes that he would write some
thing about lockwood, and kind OF
help the place olang. 1 promised to
suggest a local story to the distin-
guished author, If I had the pleasure
of meeting him.
IL was about 10 o'clock when 1 ar
rived once more upon the outskirts of
the "old Peters place." l had resolved
to pass the night in it's vicinity; and to
commit a friendly burglary If my in
vestigations should convince me that
Rertram was the prisoner of hts wife's
relations
At first the moon was too high for
my purpose, but before midnight IT
had dropped nearly to the hills, and
some light clouds obscured 1t. Then
stealthily approached the house, and
was soon concealed in the shadow of
the northern wall. A very faint light
escaped through a curtained and shut
tered window of the room which had
most in mind. 1 crouched beneath that
window and listened. At first all was
still; then / became aware of sounds
that made me shudder. Someone with
in was groaning, not loudly, as if with
violent pain, but rather, as 1t seemed
to me. with wrath. Sometimes 1 could
hear the mumbling of words that
sounded like oaths, Again 1 heard a
rustling as of paper. Finally someone
cried: "Therel - it," with trs-
mcndous emphasis. The voice sound
ed unlike Dyer's, yet could not be
sure. Presently the light went out.
caught the faint sound of a closing
door. Then all was still.
1 waited fifteen minutes, according
to my best judgment, but it might
not have been SO long. Then I tried
the fastening Of the window, having
softly opened the blinds. 1t seemed to
be secure, but at last forced the
catch, and raised the lower sash. The
pulley squealed painfully, but it arous-
ed no one. Having paused to make
sure Of that, pushed aside the curtain
and thrust in my head. The room was
totally dark. 1 climbed In cautiously,
and stood for a moment listening, in
the gloom. Faint noises in the old
house counterfeited footballs, and I
would have said that was not alone,
but for the aimlessness with which the
patterings ran across the room and
stopped and ran again.
At last / ventured to light a match.
The flames revealed a large, square
room fitted up like a study with an
abundance of fine old furniture. A
well-filled book case covered nearly all
one wall. Close TO my right hand was
great antique desk, open and strewn
with typewritten sheets. Bending over
them 1 recognized Dyer's hand in vari-
Gus corrections.
The match burned my fingers. 1
threw 1t down and lighted another,
with the flame of which / kindled a
lamp that stood upon the desk. Then
l perceived in the midst of the type
written sheets a brief manuscript let
ted addressed to myself 1t expressed
very mild regret for having missed see
ing me, and the hope that would come
again next summer" / laughed soft
ly at the impatienee OF the writer TO
see me. He asked me not to say any
thing more about Emily, Especially
must write II ever contemplated COM
Ing 10 BERKSHIRE again, The style was
IL