The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-12-17
WALTER BLOOMFIELD

don nv bed. I threw my window open
vide. The day had risen fresh and
fair. and the birds were busy seeking
their food. Nature was refreshed by
the storm Of yesterday, and the aspect
before me told Of peace and reanima-
tion.
/ thought perhaps q little sadly. OF
my old life at home before I had seen
uncle Sam; and Of the great change
that had come over my habits, thoughts
and hopes within the past few months.
lamenting that extended knowledge
should not always signify increased
happiness. but too ofpen the contrary.
I endeavored, but not very effectually,
to comfort myself with the reflection
that the matters which troubled my
father and I were not Of our creation,
neither were they very much within
our control. The die was cast, and l
must redeem my promise to my uncle;
there was no escape from It now, how
ever distasteful the task. The honor
Of our whole family. and my own per-
sonal interest, largely depended on the
issue.
At breakfast my father and Mr.. VOL
sey talked very freely, but still care
fully avoided any reference to uncle
Sam. The former was particularly
considerate and asked me to accom-
pany him over the vacant farms In the
old kind way In which he had always
been used to speak to me. SO that I
was hard put to It to excuse myself.
My father and Mr.. Wolsey were nc
sooner departed than I sought John
Adams, and found the old man In the
stable polishing q harness.
"John-" said, put the bay mare In
the dog.cart while 60 in the house to
write a note. ! want you to 60 to
Chevington at once"
ITO Chevington. Master Ernest" the
old man echoed In a tone Of surprise.
"Yes. to Chevington," repeated.
"Look sharp; there's no time to lose.
I shall be back again in two or three
minutes"
When I returned with my hastily
scribble apology Adams was backing
the mare into the snafts, and very
soon afterwards was ready to start on
his journey.
"Take this" I said. giving the old
man the letter. "and deliver 1t to Mrs.
Butterwell, at Kingsthorpe Grange,
Chevington. Don't drive the mare too
fast; give her good bait and at least
an hours rest at Chevington."
"Win there be any answer to the
letter" inquired the old man.
II don't know; possibly there may
be-"
I went to the gate and watched the
old man drive away until he was lost
to my sight In the bend Of the road,
and then. returning into the house.
went direct to Adams bedroom.
So far as remembered, I had never
been In that room in my life. though
] perfectly well knew which room 1t
was. To my great annoyance found
that the door was securely ,locked.
After considering this circumstance
for some moments, decided not to
ring for q servant but TO 60 myself
to the kitchen.
In the kitchen my unexpected pres
ence created surprise. and the house
keeper came forward to meet me.
There Is something in Adams bed
room ! want; he has just gone out,
and the door appears to be locked. Do
you know where / can find the key%
I asked.
He always carries it about with
him"
"Whatv' I exclaimed; docs he clean
his own room and keep II locked!"
"Yes. sir" answered the house
keeper.
How long has this beenT" I in
quired.
Years and years; I can't tell you
how long," answered the woman. smil.
Ing.
I waited no longer. but went at once
to granary at the back Of the stable
where tall ladder was kept. Though
the door Of Adams bedroom was
locked. the window. I had noticed. was
open. BY that means would get into
the bedroom, II possible; II not. then
would ] break into II by force.
With no attempt Mt concealment, I
brought the ladder and placed 1t uIder
Adams window. 1t was an ancient
window or easement. consisting OF
small panes Of glass set In lead; and
1t opened like door, with rack and
pinion to prevent 1t Tapping in the
wind. Through this window I entered
the room almost as easily as it could
have been entered by the door.
The room was very long and narrow,
and the ceiling slopec SO much to one
side MS to almost meet the floor. At
one end stood the old mans bedstead:
and all the rest Of the available space,
except only narrow way which led
from the door to the bed. was literally
crammed with boxes and packages of
every shape and size. I remembered
now that when the Hall was being
renovated this room. by the special
request Of Adams. hsd been suffered
to 20 untouched. had not expected
to come to such large storehouse Of
miscellaneous property, and was at
loss what to examine first. After
casual glance round. my eyes lighted
upon q strange looking chest. painted
q dull red. with some neatly obliter-