New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-19

he went-aH the uncIes backing him up no end.
His mother promptly gave her hand-and her
yearly st;pend-to Baron Fat German-I forget
his name this minute"
listened with deep interest 1t was the first
time Randall had ever spoken of his cousin.
Still very grateful to Mr.. Thorpe for his kind
ness still unaccountably hurt by his later
neglect thought of him much more often than
was wise. and listened with controlled eagerness
to all Randall had to say.
Dicks good natured chap" he continued
but queer. Sharp a razor in a business way
and bound to get on. because of his frightful
obstinacy; yet''-he laughed gently. then said,
in his sweetest tones-"a very foolish fellow
after all Uncle B. wanted him to study for the
ministry-the old man is bigoted Episcopalian
and Dicky had scruples! Said he wasn't good
enough! Stuck to the law. and lost his chance
of coming in for Beverley Towers and pot OF
money!
And you?"
"Oh. I'm grateful to the old chap for paying
my bills in the past. so I to make him
happy In his own way by studying for the min
istry, when Pm in better health"
In spite of his sweet. sad expression Mr.. ST.
John failed to impress me by this generous de-
votion to his uncles wishes.
I'm Twenty-Five" he said, presently. 81 know
don't look it,"
lHouBHC ne ulQ, put was silent
Three years older than you Miss Dean" and
his eyes said ASK me how I know"
did not crafty him. and, Claude appearing
in search of me. our interview was over
You're in for a terrible time, Miss Dean. I'm
fraid,' said Claude. I followed him into the
hall His brow dark with care-he had
ostentatOusly ignored Mr.. ST. Johns presence
upon the veranda. pretending not to see him
and he had retreated into the house Immediately
after summoning me. Looks as II the old lady
was gOin' to have one Of her screechin' fits
Julie, she's read her letter from the Boss
He's comm up the river his yacht some time
this evening-time not known! I'm to sit I'D for
him. What that French woman's said or done
don't know. but Madam is raisin' Cain in
there. The fats got into the fire some way or
mother. You hear 1t sizzlin through the
door, pointing toward that object with his
flexible thumb, and adding as he opened II for
me, in dramatic whisper, You'd better watch
out!'
1t was as he said Madam Erranti was IN a
painfully excited condition I soon found that
1t was because Of me she so dreaded her sons
arrival He had really engaged me as house
keeper. and Madam had herself prevented me
from assuming my duties as such She feared
TOO that he might disapprove OF my rich toilets
yet she would not permit me to exchange the
$500 oO''4A VI -lCA pLONIulHS IOT one OF my own
simple ones. A strange old lady, sometimes as
easy to understand as a hayward child, at
others concealing her thoughts with the cunning
said to accompany insanity
A fresh breeze, springing up at o'clock did
US all good-while 1t lasted-quieting Madam's
overexcited nerves; but it died away after sup
per. and there followed an ominous stiffness.
betokening storm. BY the atmosphere had
became almost sitting. and Madam. allowing
Julie to put her TO bed usual. commanded us
both to remain with her and to amuse her
4 am afraid" she said Il feel thunder in the
air. Divert me. you two light hearted young
people, quick. divert meT
We eyed each other helplessIy, Julie and I
Since o'clock we had striten TO amuse to dis
tract her mind
IF you could only make music, Athena" she
cried. fretfully; but thou art good to look at
only. Thou canst dO-nothing nothing moth
ingn'
She was quite right. could do nothing.
Shall read to you?" I faltered. ashamed Of
my incompetence
No! l am weary Of thy reading. Go, put on
the gown of white silk Julie shall do thy hair
la mode"
Fastening to my room 1 obeyed. glancing from
time to time with dread at the Ink-black sky.
Suddenly low growl OF thunder. like the snarI
of a wild beast about to spring stirred the
heavy atmosphere. I ran swiftly back to
Madam's brilliantly lighted room. How might
she endure that threatening sound! She sat up
in bed, fingers IN ears when I entered, but, with
drawing them at sight of me. ordered Julie to
rearrange my hair. I seated myself Obediently
before the dressing ia Gle and Julie. throwing a
peignoir over my shoulders. unbraided my hair
and shook It free. Hardly had she done so when
there came a clap of thunder so violent and ter
rible that I started to my feet in alarm, and
with it almost binding flash of lightning its
blue glare dominating the rosy lampIght.
Uttering scream after scream, Madam Err
| ranti writhed in terror upon her bed, one mo-
ment striving to bury her head in the pillows,
the next staring about her with wild awful
eyes as if expecting to see horrible things Turk
ing in the corners of her gay, luxurious room.
Julie. her courage gone. covered on the floor.
and cried aloud on God to save her. for the
storm was upon us in all its strength During
an hour it ragged about Highgrove Hall. as il
with intent to destroy both house and inmates;
but it was as nothing when compared with the
tempest Of fear and agony that racked the half
crazed brain of Madam Erranti Deeply plying
her suffering. I did what I could to soothe her,
but without avail To prevent her springing
from her bed in her mad efforts to escape the
horror which pursued her. I was obliged TO hold
her close within my arms and. at times. to
exert all my strength to prevent her wrestling
herself free.
Hush she would whisper. when there was a
momentary cessation of the uproar without
hush, do you hear them coming-or is il only
the wind in the trees? All, what was that? %
holding herself rigid TO listen. Then as the
storm broke loose again. came the wild cry:
THE dogs! The dogs!-they are coming! Philip.