Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-04-03
3 Bound by a Spell
CHAPTER XVIII.-(Continued.)

While he spoke, he was writing on
slip Of paper, which he folded and hand
ed to the visitor.
Shall | not require the document |
gave you as an introduction to the par
tyr insinuated the gentleman.
Not at all. The paper you have in
your hand will be sufficient introduction.
Good morning.
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
not that it is ever likely to be found
out. They did not half believe in 1t.
But, cunning as they are, they are done
they did not suspect me. How famil-
lar this old ramshackle place looks to
me, although it's many year since
saw it last. Its mouldy walls suggest
no very agreeable retrospect
While he was thus mutterlng 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 ad-
dress The words were, Madame Berne,
Ivy Cottage, Ivy Road, Highbury."
Had that paper informed him that
he was to die within the hour, its Pc
rusal could not have cast upon his face
more marked expression of dismay.
For q moment he stood rooted to the
spot; and when jostled by rough passer-
by, went back into the court to stare at
the ritng and recover from the shock.
Great heavens' he CALCULATED. rs it
possible What can this mean? Who is
this Silas Carston, then? Can this wom-
an be- She must. The name is I'M
common; and the same lawyers, too. But
why has she left The Willows? l must
fathom this mystery"
He stood musing silently for some
moments, and gradually an expression
of dark determination settled upon his
face.
"I'l do it," he muttered again. "I'n
face her once more although | would
as soon face tiger i'll her den.'
He buttoned his coat across his breast
with jerk, drew on his gloves and walk
ed rapidly on, with the air OF man
thoroughly resolved.
Ivy Cottage was a small. gloomy look
Ing house, covered with the dark leaves
OF the plant from which it took its name ;
a shriveled holly tree. and large, I'M
trimmed lime, threw yet deeper shad
ow upon the building. 1t was a rom
nsnt of bygone days, when Highbury
was a country place; and it looked like
a meanly dressed old shioned woman,
In gay crowd. amidst the glaring stucco
and white paint of the new villas that
were dotted on each side of it.
Mr.. Montgomery pulled up short, as
lie saw ivy Cottage" inscribed upon
the gate post of this shabby looking
dwelling. lie felt more nervous than
ever. He drew out his handkerchief,
took off his hat, wiped his face and
fdgcted 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 Berne
was at home; but she could not see
strangers Would he send in his bust
ness!
He desired her to say that he came
from Messrs. Fogle & Quick. Of Gray's
Inn, and that his business related to a
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 she
delivered his message.
Any person who had stood beside him
might have heard the humping of his
heart against his side Again he took
out his handk erchief, and wiped away
the perspiration that stood in large
beads upon his face; yet the morning
was raw and cold.
After the lapse Of about a minute. the
door reopened. and he was marshalled
by the solemn servant into the front par
Tor, there to await Madame Rerne's ap-
pearance. 1t was a gloomy room, the
walls were covered with Il dingy, dark
paper the furniture was old fashioned
In form, and mostly of oak. The trees
In front threw in black shadow, and
obscured the daylight. Mr.. Montgomery
seated himself with his back to the win
dow, and in that position his features
were indistinct to any person coming
into the room.