Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-11-20

hookah, and on a small inlaid table
were couple of curious little objects
which l knew to be opium pipes. In
one corner, as though it had been push
ed aside, stood an easel with canvas
upon it, which was half-covered with
piece of drapery. The skylight was
partly concealed with red silk blinds.
drawn across the staring glass, and
from the centre of the dome was sus-
pended large jeweIled lamp. 1t was
from this that all the tght in the
studio proceeded at present, and
though there was no fireplace the room
was Warm-indeed, inSufferably hot.
his fact, taken together with the
studios proximity to the tower, made
me feel more certain than before some
nue. IN this modern portion of the
mouse house had caught fire. | search
ed the panels for a bell, but found
none, and at last lifted several of the
curtains that draped the larger part of
the octagonal walls. Under the first
two that I raised only a blank space
OF dark wood was visible, but under
the third l was surprised to find a
small, Secretive-looking door,
There was no knob or ring by way
of handle, but close to the edge, and
| about half way between top and bottom
l distinguished a diminutive keyhole,
outlined with shining metal. l let the
curtain drop again, though lingeringly.
1t could be only a cupboard, or a par
tlcularly secure wine cellar, perhaps,
behind this dwarfiSh door, but had I
discovered it in a house not English,
but of a country less conventionally
civilized than than cur own, l should
have told myself that l had CHANGED
upon the clue to a secret.
There was still fourth curtained
space (the remaining half of the octa-
CONS being OF the sandal wood, and
this, as it happened, was directly be-
hind the draped easel.
| moved towards it, not intending to
pry into Mr.. Wildred's domestic econ
omies, but still bent on unearthing an
electric bell if l could do So when my
eyes fell upon the partially covered
picture.
1t was but pinky-white, uncovered
shoulder that | could see, with a
glimpse of red-gold hair at such a dis
lance above as to suggest a massive
seen in profile. There was a fraction
of fluffy tulle sleeve as well, revealing
the outline of a rounded girlish arm,
and though the face was hidden by the
drapery, | was as sure as though / mad
seen it, that should l push aside the
curtain my eyes would fall upon the
counterfeit presentment OF harlne
Cunningham.
With half-extended hand | paused.
The painting was SO far covered, ana II
was in another mans house. Had u
a right to assure myself whether my
suppositions were correct? As l hest
tated my ears were startled by what |
can only describe as the beginning OF
a sound.
1t was low and inarticulate, yet it
seemed to me that it was uttered by
human lips. 1t commenced with a
tremulous vibrating noise, such as
might have been made by man groan-
ing with closed mouth, and between set
teeth.
l started, and looked over my Shout
der, so close did it seem, that l could
almost fancy it had proceeded from a
corner Of the room behind me. Still
it went on, mOnotonOusly, and then
suddenly rose with ever-increasing
volume to a yell Of utmost agony.
Never had l heard such Shrek, not
even in battle, when men were stabbed
or shot, or blown to pieces. So horri-
bic, so long-drawn was It, that I found
myself strangely awe-struck and ap-
palled.
Great Heavens," l exclaimed aloud,
sure now that close at hand fire must
be raging. and have claimed some in
mate of the house as its victim.
Though I knew not where to find the
servant who had admitted me, or any
other person, l flung open the door