Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-02-12
Stairs Of Sand
ERNEST DE LANcY PIERsON.

expected him to appear again, bit
Hendricks did not appear. Then,
after a moments hesitation, he
rushed out into the hail, crossed il,
and, passing through q narrow pas
sage and then dressing-rOom
reached the windows that opened on
the park in front of the house.
He saw Hendricks pass out
through the front door and walk
with lazy air down the main ave-
nue. that led to the gates. Not once
did he stop to look back at the house
that he had just left.
Ellison, who was watching, saw
him disappear beyond the lodge
keepers gate, and returned to the
library shaking his head and NUT
tering to himself.
AS he entered the ROOM. he start
ed back in dismay at the sight Of a
strange man in tattered clothes who
was seated at the desk he had just
left, and was putting on cigar that
he had evidently extracted from one
of the drawers.
James Ellison slammed the door
behind him with an angry gesture,
which did not in the least seem to
discomfort the shabby individual with
the cigar.
81 wish you wouldn't make such a
noise, Jimmy" remarked the latter,
as he blew a smoke wreath into the
air and Watched it fade away. Ell
ison stepped forward and pushed
him into a sitting position, his every
gesture betraying the anger he felt.
The shabby man shook off the
grasp, made a pretense to brush his
dirty sleeve, and looking up calmly,
as he drew long puff on his cigar,
said, with an air of blase weariness:
II wish, my dear fellow, you would
Really, I expected kinder treatment
from one I have learned so long to
love-
Ellison uttered an oath, turned
away, walked up and down the room
several times and then, pausing be-
fore the ragged Individual, who was
inspecting his cigar with critical
interest, said:
Gould you not tell, you fool, when
I warned you from the window, that
you were not to be seen around
here?''
The other waited until he had
shaken the ashes from his cigar, and
then replied, in very mild voice:
Really, my dear brother, you are
getting to speak very harsh III your
old age. Why should I be warned
off the premises by wave of the
hand, as if 1 was under commando
ing officer?"
"You will do what tell you.' cried
James Ellison. 81 Gid not even know
that you were in the neighborhood.
Now, if you want money, you shall
have it," and, as he spoke, he drew
a roll of bills out of his pocket.
The other laughed hoarsely, and
waved him aside. Later will do.
What are you SO worried about, any
way? Have I asked for anything
yet?"
mo, not yet; but thought I would
forestall you. Now, oblige ME by
keeping out Of my sight for time. 1
have troubles enough of my own, as
you must know, if you have been in
the neighborhood for many days
II want first good suit Of clothes
well lined"
"Well, you shall have it,"
"You dGe ready to agree to any
thing. My man, you seem to be in
a peck of trouble as he noticed
that his brother was pacing up and
down the room.
James Ellison came over and laid
his hand on the others shoulder.
"Trouble enough. i have reason
to believe that Frale is still living.
He was here but an hour ago, or one
who resembles him."
The brother sank back in his chair
and uttered long-drawn whistle as
he cast away his cigar.
Come, this matter is serious, %
looking up. "And where might this
person have gomez"
81 told him where Grace was now
living It seems that ne was very
anxious to- see her"
'You should have told mira moth
ing"
James El''~on laughed.
''When you meet a stranger who
informs you of a great secret OF
your life, 1 suppose you would adj
wise me to show him the ,loor If
not Frale himself (and he speaks
like an educated man, while the
other was unlearneU, at least he
knows enough to give me great
deal of trouble. But why am | vast
ing all this time on you" as he
seemed to notice for the first time
his brothers rags. go your own
way, and / will go mine"
The ragged man rose and twirled
his mustache with dainty air.
"My brother, you have said that
once before" and then, bending over
the table that stood between them
and shaking soiled finger in FL