The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-11
|THB NEWS DEMOCRATS DAILY STORY
To be published in daily nstallments on this page
The House of a
Thousand Candles
MEREDITH NICHOLSON
Copyright by
Uho Bobbs Merrill Company

ing with Mr.. Pickering came back with
him, and Miss Devereux came with
them from Cincinnati. That's what I
learned in the village. And Mr.. Picker
ing is going 10 stay"
pickering stay!"
AT his cottage on the lake for a
while. The reason is that he's worn
The other people went back 10 New
York in the car"
Hes opened a summer cottage In
mid winter. has heT
/ had been blue enough without this
news. Marian DevereuX had come back
to Annandale with Arthur Pickering;
my faith I'm her snapped like a reed at
this astounding news. She was now en-
titled to my grandfather's property and
she had lost no time in returning as
soon as she and Pickering had dis
cussed together at the Armstrong; my
flight from Annandale. Her return
could have no other meaning than that
there was a strong tie between them
and he was now 70 stay on the ground
until ! should be disposed and her
rights established. She had led me 10
follow her. and my forfeiture had been
sealed by that stolen interview az the
Armstrong; II was a black record,
and the thought of IL sngered me
against myself and the world
St Agatha's," ] said and ! was soon
striding toward the school.
A sister admitted me. ! heard the
sound of piano. somewhere in the
building, and consigned the inventor
of pianos to hideous torment as scales
were pursued endlessly up and down
the keys. Two girls passing through
the hall made a pretext OF looking for
a book and came in and exclaimed over
their inability to find II with much sup
pressed giggling.
The piano pounding continued and /
waited for what seemed an intermin-
able time. 1t was growing dark and
maid lighted the oil lamps I took a
book from the table 1t was "The Life
OF Benvenuto Celini." and Marian
Devereux" was written on the fly leaf,
by unmstakably the same hand that
penned the apology for Olivias per
formances. | saw in the clear flowing
lines of the signature. IN their lack Of
superfuety, her own ease. grace and
charm: and, in the deeper stroke with
which the X was crossed I felt a chal-
lenge, a readiness TO abide by conse-
quences once her word was given.
Then my own inclination 10 think well
OF her angered me. II was only pretty
bit OF chirography,. and ] dropped the
book impatientiy when l heard her step
on the threshold.
II am sorry to have kept you waiting
Mr.. Glenarm But this is my busy hour"
Il shall not detain you long. | came
i hesitated. not knowing why ! had
come.
She took q chair near the open door
and bent forward with an air OF atten-
tion that was disquieting. She wore
black-perhaps TO At her the better into
the house OF a somber Sisterhood.
seemed suddenly 10 remember her from
a time long gone, and the effort OF mem
ory threw me Off guard Stoddard had
said there were several olivia Arm
strongs: there were certainly many Mar
ian Devereuxs. Tho silence grew utol-
erable; she was waiting for me to speak.
and / blurted
IL suppose you have come TO take
charge OF the property"
"Do your" she asked.
And you came back with the executor
10 facilitate matters. I'm glad TO see
that you lose no time"
"Ohr she said lingeringly, az though
she were finding with difficulty the note
I'm which I wished 10 pitch the converse
tion. Her calmness was maddening.
II suppose you thought ~ unwise TO
wait for the hluebird when you had be
guled me into breaking a promise. whom
i was trapped. defeated"
Her elbow on the arm of the chair. her
hand resting against her cheek. the light
ripping goldenly in her hair. her eyes
bent upon me induiringly, mournfully-
mournfully, as 7 had seen them-where7
once before Nv heart leaped IN that
moment with that thought.
(To BE Continued TomoTow)