Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-05-12

too late. Both he and Mrs. johnson mao
disappeared. While had been debat
ing within myself the question of my
own sanity the will-o'-the-wisp, which
was undoubtedly working to unbalance
my reason, had made good its escape.
"Never mind, my little man." NUT
tered; "only wait till catch you
again!"
About ten o'clock, after had eaten
some breakfast, 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.
"Mr. Peckitt?" said in scarcely au-
dible voice, for had every reason to
believe Peckitt to be person of con-
sideration in the commercial world
not spook or will-o'-the-wisp, by any
means, but man of substance.
Eyes, sir" Mr.. Peckitt answered, in,
| suppose, as pleasant manner as he
could assume; but nevertheless in that
irritatingly piping voice of his. and
with that inexpressibly careworn look.
which l had noticed in Liverpool and
New York. "Yes, sir" ne repeated; 81
am delighted to meet you. have re-
ceived letters from Liverpool concern
ing your business, and shall be most
happy to go into that matter with you
at any time. Allow me, sir, to intro
duce you to my sister, Mrs. johnson.
/ went through the formality of the
Introduction without venturing any
remark upon the fact that l had come
over from Liverpool to New York in the
same boat and travelled from New York
to Chicago in the same train as the
lady.
We talked on Indifferent subjects for
few minutes; and then, when CONVEX
sation seemed to be tagging, l said.
tentatively:
II observe that you are in mourning,
Mr.. Peckitt." Peckitt! How singulary
appropriate the cognomen to his bird
like appearance!-"I trust you have
had no recent bereavement"
"Ab, 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."
He did not volunteer any further
statement as 10 tho nature of his loss;
so. after moments silence, ! said,
somewhat hesitatingly:
might l ask how long it is since you
were in England, Mr.. PeclOitt?"
1.-TWO years." he replied.
Two years! And it was only eight
days since l had seen him there. There
was, undoubtedly, some deep mystery
here. Had he sinister motives for wish
ing to conceal his movements; or, was
II that he only wished to keep the meth
cd of his marvellous flight through space
a secret for some not unworthy rea-
son?
THAT is strangel" / murmured, UNI
Intentionally giving vent to my
thoughts.
Strange ?" Mr.. Peckitt echoed in an
inquiring tone.
"Why, yes" answered, desperately:
for thought we might as well come to
an understanding now as later. | did
not want to do business with a 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."
"Ah, ahl" Mr.. Peckitt exclaimed, re-
laxing for an instant his habitual, OPP
pressing austerity of expression. THAI
was my brother john"
so? Then you are twins?"
mo, SIR he replied, mot twins, ex-
actly. There were more than two OF
u.s."
"Ah! Now | begin TO understand
You have, also, brother in New York;"
"Yes, sir" Mr.. Peckitt assented. My
brother William"
"0h, oh. Then you are tripletsy'
mo, SIR" Mr.. Peckitt answered, in a
sorrowful tone. There was another
the best and brightest of all, my broth
er Henry. But he-alasl-he is dead.
Poor Henry is no morel"
"And it is for him you-and your
brothers-are in mourning?"
"Yes, SIR"
"And he has been dead"
Seventeen years." Mr.. Peckitt an
swered, as he wiped away the tears
with his black-bordered handkerchief.
Detroit Free Press.