The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-21

muUe, involuntary promise OF aSSlstanoe,
Was 1t so7 Could 1t be that his wild
design. rather the last resource Of despair
than a settled design. would serve him
in the evil days. when, az something had
warned him, he would be in sore need of
q friend1
The evil days-were they not already
upon him-the evil days that were the
closing days for the wicked mani A per.
sistent impulse kept urging Egbert to do
something. he knew not what, to discover,
to avert.
II be might only learn tho truth In some
way. In any way, no matter how unnatural,
how horrible, as Saul had learned it, AZ
Macbeth had learned It, then he would
either be treasured or prepared. And yet
with the thought Of action came dread
the dread that he might himself unwitting!y
lay bare that which was securely hid
It was after sleepless night OF such
torturing doubts that Egbert Langford
road in the local Newspaper the following
item:
Among tho notable guests at Alton Inn is
Nine. Gerome. the celebrated medium. While
Nine Gerome is stay lns In our n,idet for much
needed rest and recreation, We are not jndIs.
benefit Of her marvellous powers to seekers
after truth who may arrange for . private
s4ance by letter.
The notice seemed q worry hand In the
dark to tho wretched man. he had al
ready heard something Of Nine Gsrome.
He knew that her skill was great In reading
and answering a question presented to her
in sealed envelope.
- I-IS ~
lematical powers bad always had strong
charm for him.
He was not q believer-Oh, no-msrely
an inquirer. But granted that tho woman
was an impostor. she was shrewd, keen,
UP to all the devices Of her calling, versed
In current gossip.
If, then, she should far to connect him
in any wise with that secret which was
becoming an intolerable burden. it would
be pretty fair proof that not the faintest
suspicion had ever been breathed against
him, pretty good reason Why at last he
might find peace.
It was an overcast day when Egbert
arrived at Alton Inn, IN compliance With
appointment made; tho wind rising In p,lfys
and heavy clouds banking on tho horizon.
More gloomy still was the room to which
he was shown-the curtains folded over
the drawn shades, q single candle burning
on the high mAntel.
An indefinite figure swathed In white,
waved him to chair. and presently hollow
voioe asked him what was his will.
There Is question. which, for no per-
sonal reason, out Of interest In . friend.
I am anxious to ask, fakered the old man;
and In response to . gesture, he handed
over the sealed envelope.
The medium held the envelope before
her face for Q moment. rubbing It with
ghostly fingers Then. again, she spoke.
The CON- came the hollow voice, as
as the drip. drip Of engulhng
water. 'the silver dollar Of 1880 has been
found. It was In the crack Of tho concrete
pavement Of . drying room. Wait-wait-I
see-I $50 1t fall from tho pocket Of a
young man as he bends over the bleeding
form Of dead brother. There is . smoking
revolver In his hand; and his face, yes, his
face Is the face Of the one who now
oh. my God!" moaned Egbert. Il was
mad, mad. With Jealousy. disappointment.
he prospect Of life Of penury and TOLL
never, swear to high Heaven, Inever-'
Thero was . burst Of gale without. a.
.he storm broke. The wind shook the house,
u swept through tho narrow opening OF
he window. sending the shade gathering
% tho top. spreading wide the curtains,
md letting glare Of cold light shine full
"a tho medium.
You, you!' shrieked Egbert, shrinking
With averted palms a. he recognized the
igid figure. the set lips. the dull, constant
.yes-as the terror Of memorable fate again
,nthralled him; 4 always felt. always
new that you would find me outl'
Livid. trembling. muttering inooherent
he backed unit he fell against
he door-he slipped ,through-he was
zone.
Abe Cronhte stepped out from behind q
'oreen in the corner.
He said enough, Miss Doten,' he re-
marked quietly. but he would have said
more il it hadn't been for that unlucky !
,hade. Now, what shall we do?"
DOL painted Miss Doten, already tear |
ng OF her drapery. we will follow him
% his house; will confront him with his |
guilt. admitted. confessed. out Of his own
will deliver him over to you, a |
worn officer OF the law"
Very good" returned Cronkite, as he |
tarted to order the carriak 20; 'but II what I |
lave reasoned out In my own mind should |
Happen to come true you will find that he |
las interposed an unexpected defense"
There was an air of tranquility Of peace,
bout the old house an hour later, when
Hiss Doten and the detective passed through |
he great hall. wherein the doad man had |
'een laid so many years before, and mounted
no stairs to the library. The calm of Sc
urity seemed to prevail, as if the rage OF
ear had yielded to some nightier power.
They opened the library door; they
There sat old Egbert in his ao-
ustomed armchair, wan, wasted, already
ouched by death. yet smiling, piteously
milling And by his side a lovely young
:rl was neeling, ministering unto him.
"Oh, my dear adopted mother cried
lice. springing forward, 'dearer than any
cal mother could ever have been-this is
ny father my father whom have never
cen; whom l never knew to exist until
ew moments ago, when he sent this bracelet
o me. See! The very duplicate Of the one
have always worn! He needs me. poor
ear; he needs you. for some help. know
OF what. but you will grant it, I know you
Ill ,,,t 80 ,,our lovo for mn 49,, Ve,,.