The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1906-09-22
[l22 TNl0IY
CHAPTER ~.

l closed my eyes and tried to sleep,
but could not shut out from my mind
the many emotions which had been
called forth by my strange surround
ings. and my still stranger host.
Ny Imagination at once began to
people the old quiet house with all
manner OF beings, over whom | fan
cied Valdermere held some powerful
influence. | could hear the wind
moaning through the pines in the yard
and the ancient windows ratified in
their easements. but there was not a
sound within. not a football. not
merry voice ringing out from the rear
OF the house to indicate that a domes-
tic was preparing dinner. The still.
| ness was SO intense. SO prolonged and
oppressive. that longed for the re-
| turn of Valdermere, or even the apish
old housemaid. who acted and looked
SO like a devil
At last Valdermere came and an
nounced dinner:
You will pardon the conduct Of
this house." he said apologetically,
Tor | suppose you have noted the
entire absence Of house servants. We
have only two persons who act in the
capacity OF domestics. and these We
can rely upon-one who Is servant
by choice. the other who acts as our
housekeeper. from a sense Of duty
"Ah! the old woman"
Yes. Sista," he replied
Then he led the way from the room
cut into a long dark hallway. par
| TALLY lighted by lamp.
At the end Of this hall We came to
a door which Vadermere opened.
| leading us into a spacious room. fur
nished In the manner of dining
room. The table was long. and the
chairs were ranged in order for many
| guests.
A white cloth was spread, and the
china and silver was of the costliest
| kind.
l gazed around the room in some
surprise, as l noted the number OF
chairs; the length of the cable. and
the evident preparations for a great
many guests. expected at every mo-
ment to see others enter from the diff
| ferent doors which I observed lead
ing from the room into other parts Of
/ the building
| We dine alone today, Castleman,
| but there will soon be other guests
with us. who l am sure will interest
you"
| Il had thought there were many"
l said, looking up and down the long
table. and upon the silver and china
placed In order.
YES" he sald "our friends are LA
/ a tn NJ u
though we only expect two at the
present time. we are always prepared
to receive any number"
/ At this moment door opened. and
lad( not yet twenty, appeared, bear
| ing a decanter OF wine. and at once
began to serve dinner with a skill and
dexterity admirable to behold.
When We had finished the courses.
Valdermere ordered cigars, and lean
ing back in his easy, graceful way. he
said:
Ten years ago uttered a prophecy
was 1t fulfilled. my friend?"
| my presence here completes its
fulfillment." l said. sadly.
Ten years is a long period, and
you have many things to say. am
l taxing you!
mo. no." replied, 81 will tell you
my story. but are we quite alone?"
We are quite alone, but let us sit
near the window. and you will see
| rare sunset; you will hear the pines
sing. and then | will be grateful to
hear you"
He arose and led the way to the
window. where two large easy chairs
were placed for our comfort, and from
whence we could see the sun sinking
In its crimson halo.
Shall I now begin?" said, re-
lighting my cigar.
Il am listening" he replied, lean
ing back in his chair and blowing
great clouds of smoke above him. =
only a fortnight after you had left
US In India. ten years ago. had gain
ed suncient strength for my journey
back to England. With my mind tor
tured by the anticipations your words
had induced, and my heart bleeding
with the anguish of despair IN fear Of
their fulfillment, my return was a
series OF gloomy days and nights. In
patiently I counted the hoc-s of that
cheerless voyage. and finally, when
we reached port, | was among the
| first to land.
Il hastened to London, where my
| mother eagerly awaited my arrival. I
| found her in tears, for the first time
in my life. for though I always knew
yes. even before you told me-that
secret sorrow lay hidden in her
heart, she always smiled when l came
near. implored her to tell me her
sorrow that might share 1t. She re-
piled, smiling through her tears, that
| I could do nothing for her that she