The Lamar register., 1901-10-23

Ny old nurse insisted on my remain
Ing at her house for dinner. and left
me seated on the porch while she went
inside TO prepare the meal.
From my seat could see the station
far down the hill. through the trees.
Two men were moving about on the
platform, but the distance was too
great to allow distinction of anything
but their forms.
Remembering then that my field
glass had been left here at Sarah's
house on the morning of my arrival. I
called in to have her bring it to me,
which she did.
Taking the glass from the case ad-
justed it to my eye and then turned it
toward the station.
My sight had not deceived me even
in the momentary glimpse of the face
at the window.
The face was Horace Jackson's, and
there the fellow was now, standing on
the edge Of the platform, speaking most
earnestly. judging by the vehement
gestures. to the station agent.
CHAPTER XIV.
The rest Of the day was spent at
Sarah's house. Here at least were
quiet, calm and peace. No uncanny
mysteries, no disturbing influences
marred the restfulness. The old nurse
herself was a certainty; no doubts and
fears were produced by her society.
By her absolute faith in me, by the
many little expressions of devotion to
my best interests, q feeling of security
was inspired, DO that when started on
the homeward journey the influence of
Sarah's peaceful abode went with me.
The sun was hanging low, and cool
breeze had risen. I insisted upon
But the horses had had q hard day in
the fields, and would not allow them
to be. taken from the cool clover patch.
Reminding the good-hearted woman
Of her promise to drive over to Nelson
Vile early in the morning, 1 started up
the road toward home. The dust had
been laid by the heavy shower of the
morning; the air was bracing; the last
song of the birds was sounding; the
patches of woodland through which
passed were resplendent in the rays Of
the dying sun, which shot golden
shafts through the leafy masses; over
all were calm and peace and solitude.
My spirits answered to the influences
of nature, and in happy reflective
mood proceeded on my way. In my
mind one beautiful object predomi-
nated-F1orence.
yUSxt, %1n 1nroIrv ~, uap ~ Tho paoua-
full evening appealing to the sense, it
seemed natural for my thoughts to
turn to the beloved one-to dwell on
her goodness, her faith, her love for
me.
Anticipation Of future happiness,
when my darling should be always at
my side, should be in my life, rounding
It out in the fullness Of content, en-
crossed my mind. There were no
cruel forbodings. no forecasting of
dire events, no warnings. Even the
aight of the station agent, Skinner,
cutting across the fields toward Sum
set Hill, caused only a temporary re-
lapse from my happy mood.
If SINNERS errand was with the
Morleys, Florence would undoubtedly
refuse him admittance after what I
had told her.
By the time arrived at my house the
sun had fallen behind the mountains,
and only the golden rays remained in
the western sky and fred the edges of
the single cloud.
Going up through the yard, I noticed
the door to the cook house was un.
latched. had been unable, in my
Explorations of cherished spots of in
terest in boyhood days, to gain en-
trance to the cook house. The door
had been locked, and I had not con-
sidered 1t Of sufficient importance 70
ask Sonntag for the key.
Wondering why the place should now
be unlocked, pushed the door open and
entered.
The recollection of deep, dark apart
ment underneath, which had been used
as root cellar during my grandfather's
time, was brought to mind by seeing
that hedoor leading to the stairway was
partly open. Obeying sudden impulse,
entered, and, standing on the landing,
yazed down into the impenetrable
| gloom.
Now, there was no reason why I
| should go down into that cellar; never
theless a strong impulse urged me on.
As 1 cautiously proceeded thrill
| came over me, something like that
| which child feels when, impelled by
curiosity qualified by fear, it is about
to venture into some unknown place.
[ would probably have gone to my room
and procured q candle had not this fear-
come sensation come over me. I laughed
at myself for experiencingit.
Testing every step before trusting
my whole weight upon it, lest the tim
bers rotted by the dampness might
give way and precipitate me headlong