The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-25
THE NEWS DEMOCRATS DAILY SlOkY'
To be published in daily installments on this page
The House of a
Thousand Candles
MEREDITH NICHOLSON
Copyright by
vhe Bobbs Merrill Company

But I was watching OLIVIA Gladys Arm
strong. In a long skirt, with her hair
caught up under gray toque that match
ell her coat perfectly, she was not my
Olivia OF the tam-o -shanter, who had
pursued the rabbit; nor yet the unsophis-
ticated school girl. who had suffered m.
id.otlc babble; nor. again, the dreamy
rapt organist OF the chapel. She was a
grown woman with at least 20 summers
10 her credit, and there was about her
an air OF knowing the world, and not be-
ing at all a person one would make fool
ish speeches TO. She spoke to Pickering
gravely. Once she smiled dolefully and
shook her freuci; ami vaguely strive to
remember where / had seen that look in
her eyes before. Her gold beads. which |
had once carried in my pocket, were
clasped tight about the close collar OF
her dress: and I was blad. very glad,
that / had ever touched anything that
belonged to her.
"As the years go by we are going to
dominate trade more and more. Our
manufactures lead the world and what
we make we've got to sell, haven't we?'
demanded Taylor.
Certainly, SIR" I answered warmly.
Who was Olivia Gladys Armstrong
and what was Arthur Pickerings busi-
ness with her? And what was II she had
said to me that evening when ] had
found her playing on the chapel organ7 ?
So much happened that day that / had
almost forgotten. and, indeed, ] had
tried TO forget ] had made a fool OF my
self for the edifcatlon OF an amusing
little schoolgirl. II see you prefer TO
ignore the first time / ever saw you,
she had said; but If I had thought Of
this at all Il had been with righteous
self-contempt. Or, I may have nattered
nv vanity with the reflection that she
had eyed me-her hero, perhaps, with
wistful admiration across the wall.
Meanwhile the Chicago express roared
into Annandsle and the private car was
attached. Taylor watched the trainmen
with the cool interest OF a man for whom
the proceeding had no novelty, while he
continued TO dilate upon the nations
commercial opportunities.
I turned perforce and walked with him
back toward the station, where Mrs. Tay-
lor and her sister were talking 10 the con-
ductor.
Pickering came running across the plat
form with several kilograms In his hand.
The express had picked up the car and
was ready to continue its westward jour
ney.
I'm awfully sorry Glenarm. that our
stops so Shorthand Pickering's face
wore a worried look as he addressed me,
his eyes on the conductor.
How far do you go?" / asked.
"California We have interests out
there and / have 10 attend some stock
holders meeting in Colorado I'm January"
"Ah, you business men! You business
menv / said reproachfully. I wished to
call him a blackguard then and there,
and IL was on my tongue 20 do so, but
concluded that TO wait until he had shown
his hand fully was the better game.
The ladies entered the car and I shook
hands with Taylor. who threatened To
send me his pamphlet on "The Needs OF
American Shipping" when he got back
20 New York.
IT'S too bad she wouldn't go with us.
Poor girl this must be dreary hole for
her; she deserves wider horizons" he
said 60 Pickering, who helped him upon
the platform OF the car with what seemed
20 be unnecessary precipitation.
you little know us" I declared for
Pickering's beneht. Life at knnandale
Is nothing II not exciting. The people
here are Indifferent marksmen or therc'd
be murders galore"
"Mr. Glenarm Is n good deal OF q wag."
explained Pickering dryly. swinging him
seIf aboard as the train started.
Yves; it's my humor that keeps me
alive" I responded. and taking OF my
nat. I saluted Arthur Pickering with my
broadest salaam.
CHAPTER XIV
MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT
|. Tho south bound train had not arrived
Iva as turned away the station agent