Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1905-05-05
Bound by a Spell 81
CHAPTER xv1II.-Ccontinued.J

While he spoke, he was writing on
slip Of paper, which he folded and hand
ed to the visitor.
"Shall not require the document 1
gave you as an introduction to the par
ty2" insinuated the gentleman.
mot at ALL The paper you have in
your hand will be sufficient Introduction.
Good morningw
In another minute Mr.. Montgomery
was descending the dingy staircase.
"Just the same as of DID," he muttered;
'hard as nails-not to be moved. Awk-
ward their sticking to that bit Of paper
mot that it Is ever likely to be found
out They did not half believe in it.
But, cunning as they are, they are done
they did not suspect me. How famil-
lar this old ramshackle place looks to
me, although tbs many year since
saw 1t last It's mouldy walls suggest
no very agreeable retrospect"
While he was thus muttering his
thoughts, he left the building and passed
out Of the court into the open thorough
fare. Then he opened the paper that the
lawyer had given him and read the adj
dress. The words were, Madame Berne,
Ivy Cottage, Ivy Road, Highbury."
Had that paper informed him that
be was to die within the hour. Its PEI
rusal could not have cast upon his face
a more marked expression Of dlsmay.
For a moment he stood rooted to the
spot; and when jostled by rough passeF-
by. went back into the court to stare at
the writing and recover from the shock.
"Great heavens" he calculated. rs it
possible What can this meant Who is
this Silas Carston, then? Can this wom-
1 Z. -
common; and the same lawyers, too. But
why has she left The Willows2- | must
fathom this mystery"
He stood musing silently for some
moments, and gradually an expression
OF dark determination titled upon his
face.
''I'll do itE' he mhttered again. "Pn
face her once more, although / would
as soon face a tiger IN her den!'
He buttoned his coat across his breast
with jerk, drew on his gloves and walk
ed rapidly on, with the air Of a man
thoroughly resolved.
Ivy Cottage was small, gloomy look
ing house, covered with the dark leaves
Of the plant from which it took it's name;
shrivelled holly tree, and large, I'M
trimmed lime, threw a yet deeper sl,ad-
nant OF bygone days, when Highbury
was a country place; and it looked like
meanly dressed old-fashioned woman,
In a gay crowd, amidst the glazing stucco
and white paint Of the new villas that
We're dotted OH each side Of 1t.
Mr.. Montgomery pulled up short, as
lie saw ivy Cottage" inscribed upon
the gate post Of this shabby looking
dwelling. He felt more nervous than
ever He drew out his handkerchief
took of his hat, wiped his face and
hdgeted with his coat AT last he made
the plunge, opened the garden gate
walked up the path and rang the house
bell.
His summons was answered by sol.
emn looking servanut. Madame BernG
was at home; but she could not see
strangers. Would he send in his bust
nessI
He desired her to say that he came
from Messrs FogIe & Quick, Of Gray't
Inn and that his business related to d
certain advertisement which had appear
ed in the morning newspapers, The
woman shut the door in his face and LEFT
him standing upon the steps while shC
delivered his message.
Any person who had stood beside hin
might have heard the humping Of his
heart against his side. Again he tool
out his handkerchief, and wiped away
the Precipitation that stood in large
beads upon his face; yet the morning
was raw and cold
After the lapse Of about minute, thu
door rs0pened, and he was marshallet
by the solemn servant into the front par
Tor. there to await Madame Bernes ap
pearance. 1t was a gloomy room, thu
walls were covered with a dingy, darl
paper, the furniture was old-fashionet
in form, and mostly OF oak. The treel
in front threw in black shadow, ant
obscured the daylight Mr.. Montgomer!
seated himself with his back to the win
dow, and in that position his features
were indistinct to any person coming
into the room.