Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1903-04-09
Stairs Of Sand
ERNEST DE LANcY P1ERsoN.
CHAPTER I.
Copyright, 1901,
THE TRAGEDY OF: THE PARK.


, self in the, cracked mirror. over the
little washstand, added a few final
touches to his toilet, and sighed.
mot much of a place to leave" as
he turned and swept the barely-fur-
nlshed room with glance. ''But,
still, I'm sorry, to go.' .rn
He was a slender young man, with
keen, intellectual face, and car
ried himself with a certain dignity,
as became one who had been five
years the village schoolmaster. He
was only. "a, but looked much older,
as the result of,hard work and study
He did not always intend to remain
a simple pedagogue.
AS his glance fingered on the faded
hangings, the Observation-Disclosures
haircloth furniture, the faded rag
carpet, it rested on a small trunk
in the middle Of the room, and he
frowned.
I II wonder what can keep the fell
low" he muttered. ''He promised
me faithfully he would not disap-
point
Just then timid knock. sounded
on the door and presently a man en-
tered, rough, ungainly fellow, in
dirty canvas suit, whose wild hair
and beard made him resemble one of
those grotesque toys that are. sold
about the streets during the holi-
days.
'Well, here I be- said the new
conner, in deep, bass voice.
VERY good, Jim. Now, you will
take this trunk to the station, with
out saying whose it is. Let no one
know l am going. Understand?'
''Sure.'
Here is for your trouble" and
from slender purse the young man
passed over a silver piece, which the
other, after biting, thrust in pocket.
Then he shouldered the trunk, and,
with Goodnight, guv'nor," went
out with his burden through the
door.
Barnett waited until he heard the
mans steps on the front porch, then,
with a parting look around the room
that had been his home for five
years, he blew out the lamp and
Slipped down the stairs and into
the night.
He made his way rapidly along the
country road, which, without the
moonlight to guide him, he could
have traversed safely, h ~l1new 1T Hso'
well. Passing a few dark houses, he
came at last to the entrance of an
nvta Stot0
moment before the great iron gate.
It seemed to him that the stone lions
bearing Shields son the: pillars on
each side of the way. were grinning
at him derisively. 81 wonder if I
shall ever see this place again." he
murmured. Am 1 acting for the
best? I hope So" Then, as, he; saw
a faint light still glimmered in the
gatekeeper's little house, he passed
rapidly on. Further he found hole
in the tall hedge, and, wriggling
through, entered the park.
1t was evidently not the. first time
that he had found his way into the
grounds in this surreptitious way,
for here, where the old trees inter-
laced, not a CLEAN of moonlight pene-
trated the place. Yet he walked on
without stumbling through the
blackness, coming presently to an
other hedge, scarcely higher than
his shoulder. A silvery radiance
:shone over this part of the park.
Here he paused for a moment to
listen, then stepped back again into
of rustling leaves, and then a man
appeared in the moonlight. -. +.
Dick could only make out that he
was tall and ragged, for his face
was in the shadow of an overhang-
ing bough. Only for a moment did
the stranger stand there, when he
turned and made off in the direction
of the house, the lights of which
could be seen cleaning in the dis
lance. .~rttt
"What can that rufian be doing
here?" muttered the schoolmaster,
as he came out into the path again.
"a poacher, no doubt. after Ellison,s
fish. Better buy such things than
have a stocked lake to- ATTRACT all.
the wandering vagabonds in the
country" -.>a /
He approached the hedge again,
peered cautiously. over, and,a catch
ing sight of something white. in the
distance, uttered a low whistle. The
young woman, for such the white
object was, running forward, opened
"a gate in the hedge near at hand,
and came toward him. "<s
~ ooh, Dick!"~ she began, ~impulsive-..
ly, lifting her face to his, what does
:it-what can it all mean?"
II will tell you-but not here.
Come, we are far too near the house
to talk in peace" and he drew her
away into the shadows, but still in
sight of the moonlit path. .s.,
Finding fallen tree, he; pressed
her to sit down, and then took
seat beside her.
s'Now, then, tell me quickly. Don't
you see, I am burning with anxiety?'
she said.
tsTl,ora ;c 1itt1a more To fell Won