Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-01-27

Randall was glad now that the neces-
sity had brought him to taking his
son into his confidence. and draining
his help like his blood. He had need
ed it in the beginning, but he needed
Ii tonight most of all. He felt old
and shrivelled in body and brain. The
strain that had to be borne he could
not have borne alone.
1T had been his duty in the morning
that daily task that would have
uarkened the sunshine for a warmer
heart Each morning soon after an
early rising it was done and got out
OF the way. For one thing, 1t was
easier to call ones time ones own
without hindrance at that hour even
with guests in the house; for another
a deed that took some obstinacy and
resolution in the doing-a mental and
moral bracing against creeping fear
or weak compassion-could better be
done when all the energies had been
refreshed by sleep and the dag was
bright and young to come back to
afterwards.
There were two ways of reaching
their destination. Randall had known
them both for years, and had had them
in his mind on the night when he re-
solved to renovate the Moated Grange
with the Dukes money. He remen--
bered the very occasion OF the ogrle
quarter of century before when the
Dukes father had let out the secret to
him and to another man. But luckily
the other had been too far gone IN
wine-dTunk over the card table-to
remember next day. 1t had been but
a dream to him. To Randall it had
come back as a reality, and very
practical one, five-and-twenty years
after. He had thought that he was
the only one who knew, for Lord Ware
ham had nursed the secret and chuck
led over it, little dreaming to what end
at last. But then, Severnake had also
been more or less an intimate of Lord
Wareham's in those days, being al
ready installed in his secretaryship to
the old Duke. And Severnake might
have had the key to the mystery as
well. 1t was that which they both
feared to-night-the congenial father
and son.
There were two ways which led to
the heart of mystery in the old Moated
Grange which. perhaps, had been util-
families in ancient troublous days of
persecution or civil wars. One was the
shorter and easier but it could be trav-
elled only by passing near the region
sacred to the servants. 1t would not
have been wise for the masters to have
let themselves be seen with recurrent
regularity in that part of their domain.
The more intricate route was there
fore the more often patronized by them
and in the early hours when it was
generally used, there was little or no
danger of espionage
Tonight there was difficulty.
Lady Clancarden and Anne are in
the drawing ROOM" said Randall, when
the two had been left to their own de-
vices. Each knew, of course what was
in the others mind. "The lower pass
age will be better"
wait. I'll see if they are there"
returned Blandon, yellow faced and
wary of eye. Il thought / heard Lady
Clancarden's voice in the hall"
In two minutes nc had come back to
the drawing room. The coast is
clear he announced They're both
away Come on
They went into the room of the
great bow-window, where the riotous
card-parties had once, long ago, been
held. Softly they closed the door be-
hind them. Then, with comprehen-
sive glance, made sure that all the
silk curtains were drawn. Nothing
that went on in the room could be
seen from the outside
On the maultel stood silver candle
sticks of an ancient fashion. provident-
ly brought from the Bloomsbury fiat.
There We're tall, pink candles in them.
burning with steady light Randall
took UP one and the flame fickered,
the grease fell hot on his wavering
hand
The walls were of oak and wainscot-
ted In an alcove hung a piece of
tapestry. Blandon lifted it, and, feel
ing along the panels with his finger.
suddenly came to stop with a sharp.
quick pressure. Something clicked.
and out of dark aperture. blew a
colder air which set the candle smok-
ing.
"WiM you go frst?" he asked.