Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1898-04-21

ure, and having that garb of unutter-
able woe presented tony nay willing
eyes? Were there no means of putting
a quietus to this omnipresent 1nimicry
OF. humanity? I should go crazy, if it
was to be my fate to meet him at every
corner and crossroad in life. This
thing had gone far enough; and I was
determined to put stop to it.
- I swore that if he were an actual
entity, a#real corporal creature, and
not a spook, or a phantasm of the mind,
would have him arrested as soon as
put foot on the ground. y.
But my resolution was Somewhat
shaken by sudden fear which took
possession of me. 1 began to entertain
doubts as to my own sanity. .r -.
Was it possible, asked myself, that
that singular appearance of the dwarf
in Liverpool had so impressed itself
upon my mind and worked upon my
imag ination during the enforced idle
ness of the voyage, that I was begin
ming to conjure up dwarfs at every turn
and corner and see manikins where
there were no manikins? Who would
believe such cock-and-bull story, as
that little man whom had left be-
hind in Liverpool had got to New York
before me; and then safter leaving him
behind in New York that he had got to
Chicago ahead of me?
But the manikin! I had only to
produce him in proof of my assertion.
looked around for the object of my
thoughts; and then found that I was
toe late. Both he and Mrs. johnson had
disappeared. While had been debat-
ing within myself the question of my
own sanity the will-o'thewisp, which
was undoubtedly working to ambulance
my reason, had made good its escape.
''Never mind, my little man." I NUT
tered; "only wait till I catch you
again!" go.
About ten o'clock, after I had eaten
some breakfast, I set out for Mr.. Peck
tits office. |@. -. '-...
There was ushered by clerk into
an inner room, where, to my utter con-
sternation, found the diminutive fig
ure in black, with Mrs. johnson sitting
opposite to it.. =. =: =: H.. ~,..
''Mr. Peclzitt?" said in scarcely au-
dible. voice, for I had :every reason to
believe Peckitt to be %person of con-
.sideration in hes.comn1ercial world-,
not a spook or wi1l-o'-t e-wisp, by any
means, but a man of substance. ,;sH}'
Eyes, SIR" Mr.. Peckitt, answered, in,
L suppose, as pleasant a manner as he
could assume; but nevertheless in that.
.irritatingly piping voice of his, and
wit ~that ineXpressibly ,careworp look,
which l had noticed in Liverpool and
New York. Eyes, SIR" ne repeatedly II
am delighted to meet you. I have re-
ccived letters from Liverpool concern
ing your business, and shall be most
happy to go intoltha matter with:yolf
at any time. Allow me, sir, to intro
duce you to my sister, Mrs. Johnson:"
We. talked on Indifferent subjects for
a few minutes; and then, when CONVEX
sation. seemed to be tagging, l said,.
tentatively: a.t $500
Il observe that you are in mourning,
Mr.: :Peckitt." Peckitt! How sing tlarly
appropriate the cognomen to his bird
like appearances! 81 trust you: have
had no recent bereavement" l<<::......
"Ah, my dear sir,'' Mr.. Peckitt an
swered, 1.-The loss of one near and dear
to us is always recent. There are some
losses the bitterness Of which even
time cannot assuage." ..s1:' ~.
He did not volunteer any. further
statement as to the nature of his loss;
so. after a moments silence, l said,
somewhat hesitatingly: e. asss.
Might 1 ask how long it is since you
were in England, Mr.. Peckitt?''
1.-TWO years." he replied.
Two years! And it was only eight
days since had seen him there. There
was, undoubtedly, some deep mystery
here. Had he sinister motives for wish
ing to conceal his movements; or, was
it that he only wished to keep the meth
Cd Of his marvellous flight through space
a secret for some not unworthy rea-
son? III III
''That is strange!'' murmured, I'M
tentionally giving vent to my
thoughts.
Stranger Mr.. Peckitt echoed IN an
tone.
'Why, yes" answered, desperately;
for thought we might as well come to
an understanding now as later. l did
roc want to do business with man
about whom hung such peculiar mys-
terry. II could have sworn that saw
you in Liverpool, in company with this
lady, only eight days ago + S s. y.
''Ah, all" Mr.. Peckitt exclaimed, re-
Taxing for an instant his habitual, OPP
pressing austerity Of expression. '"That
was my brother John"
so? Then you are twins?''