Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-03-01
other continued eagerly:

front OF the fire. | was tired, having
Travelled all the preceding night and
part Of the day. Hence the warmth
and comfort soon sent me to sleep.
| have a hazy recollection of the man
coming in to put some coal on the
fire. In subconscious fashion
knew that II was not my cousin, but
a servant settled down a trifle
more comfortably. and everything
became blank. Then I thought
awoke. looked out through the
windows. and, to my establishment, It
was broad daylight. The trees, too,
were covered with leaves. the sun
was shining. and there was every
evidence OF fine day in early sum
mer. In some indefinite way real
ICED that tho library was no longer
the room which ] knew. The furni-
turo and carpets were different. Tho
books we're old-fashioned. A very
handsome spinning wheel stood near
the open window. There was no litter
OF newspapers or magazines.
Before ] could begin to piece to-
gether these curious discrepa ncies In
the normal condition OF things. ! saw
two men riding mp the avenue, where
the yew trees. by the way. were loft
Ter and finer in every way than those
really existing. The horsemen we're
dressed In such strange fashion that.
unfortunately. | paid little heed TO
their faces They wore frilled waist
coats. redinEotes with huge lapels
and turned back cuffs. three-cornered
hats. and gigantic boots One man
held both horses, the other ad-
vanced was Just going to look
him straight In the face when an-
other figure appeared. coming from
that side Of the hall where the en-
trance II situated. This was gentle
man I'm very elegant garments, hat
less. with powdered queue, pink sat-
in small-clothes, white silk stock
ings, and low shoes. AS he walked
a smart cane swung from his left
wrist by silk tassel, and he took a
pinch OF snuff from an ivory box.
The two men met and seemed to
have heated argument. bitter and
passionate on one side. studiouSly
scornful on the other. This was all
in dumb show. Not a word did hear.
My amazed wits were fully taken up
with noting their clothes, their pos
lures. the trappings OF the horses.
the eighteenth century aspect Of the
library. Strange, is It not, | did not
look at their faces?"
Hume paused to guip down the
contents of his tumbler. Brett said
not a word, but sat intent. absorbed
wondering, with eyes fixed on the
speaker.
An at once the dispute became
vehement. The more stylishly attire
man disappeared, but returned IN
stantly with a drawn sword in his
hand. The stranger, as we may call
him. whipped out claymore. and
the two fought fercely. BY Jove, 1t
was no stage combat or French duel.
They went for each other as II they
meant 1t. There was no stopping 10
take breath, nor drawing apart after
a foiled attack Each man tried to
kill the other as speedily as possible
Three times they circled round in fu-
rious sword play. Then the stranger
got his point home. The other. in
mortal agony. dropped his weapon
and tried with both hands TO tear his
adversary's blade from his breast
He failed, and staggered back, the
victor still showing the claymore
through his opponents body. Then
and not until then, I saw the face of
the man who was wounded, probably
killed. 1t was my cousin, Alan
Hume Frazer"
David Hume stopped again. His
bronaed face was pale now. With
his left hand he swept huge drops of
perspiration from his brow. But his
class demands GOODNESS In the most
desperate moments. He actually
struck match and relighted his
cigarette.
Il suppose you occasionally have a
nightmare after an indigestible sup
per- Mr., Brett" he went on. land
have experienced a peculiar seRsa-
ton Of dumb palsy In the presence of
some unknown but terrifying dan
ger? Well, such was my exact state
at that moment Alan fell, appar-
emily lifelesss. The stranger kissed
his bloodstained sword, which re-
Qulred a strong tug before he could
disengage It. ratified It back into the
scabbard, rejoined his companion
and the two rode off, without once
looking back. ! can see them now
square shouldered. with hair tied In
knot beneath their quaint hats
their hips absurdly swollen by the
huge pockets OF their coats, their
boots hanging over their knees
They wore big brass spurs with tre-
their saddles were high and brass
bound.
Alan lay motionless. could
neither speak nor move. Whether
| was sitting or standing | cannot
! tell you, nor do 7 know how ! was
| supposed to be attired. A darkness
came over my eyes. Then a voice
| Helen's voice--whispered to me
! Fear not, dearest; the wrong 4:
avenged, ! awoke. to find the trem.
bling butler shouting in my ear tina,
his master was lying dead outside
the house. Now, Mr.. Brett, ask you
! would you have submitted that fairy
tale to Jury? ! was quite assured
OF verdict in my favor, though tho
! first disagreement almost shook my
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