Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1906-08-24

was before you were born. I've never
seen her myself. never dreamed
that she was walking yet Lord, what
have l done? didn't want to put you
there. Poor Katharine"
Don't worry, Mrs. Lawson" he
said, kindly. Katharine has seen
nothing as yet; but l have" He
smiled grimly, yet with a certain
sense of relief. AT least" he thought,
sit is not quite madness. What does
1t mean !" he asked aloud. "Who was
it-she?'
They say" returned Mrs. Lawson,
still speaking in a whisper, that old
Squire Lawson, my husbands grand
father, had that room built as a sort
of Jail for his young wire, who went
out of her mind, poor thing, and no
wonder, for LIE squire was a terrible
old mani! He took her baby from her
and shut her up in that room and kept
her there by herself until she pinned
and died. That was before you were
born" Mrs. Lawson was sobbing and
wringing her hands. You must take
Katharine Sinclair away before she
sees her. 1t would kill her. But don't
say anything about it outside, Alick.
My boarders would all leave me. I
would be ruined"
Sinclair soothed the excited old
woman into quiet. Then he remount-
ed the stair. Katharine, in her white
dressing gown, met him on the land
ing.
II missed you when awoke, Alick,
DEAR" she said. Where were your"
Katharine" he began with studied
carelessness, 81 find this room very
small; don't you? And Mrs. Lawson
is well-meaning, but she is tiresome,
good soul! l think l will look up
more comfortable quarters during the
day. Can you be ready to leave here
this afternoon"
She PLACID her hands upon his
shoulders and held him at arms
length for a moment without speak
ing. Her eyes were Drumming with
mischief; a smile danced about her
I'd. lips.
"Alick," she said. 81 know why you
wish to go away. You are afraid of
the woman who walked here last
night. Did you think l had not seen
herr"
Sinclair's Jaw dropped. He stared
at her with an amazement which was
almost ludicrous. But before he had
recovered himself sufficiently to speap
!. Mrs. Lawson came painting up the
stair and thrust a pallid face in a. the
: door.
The house was on fire! In an In.
credibly short time the old wosder
j, building was laid in ashes.
Sinclair and his wife returned to thu
. C~atalpas. 1t was Katharine who in,
, sisted, with a sort of gay perverseness
upon this. But even as they passed
under the arched gateway the lnyste
rious gloom fell back upon her. Sin
clair, now almost as morbid as herself
. could have sworn that he saw III
descent in visible form. Her hair OF
the instant became dull and lifeless
her cheeks fell hollow; the red on he,
lips changed to a gray pallor.
A moth fiuttered against her bosom
She fed, p~alpitating with terror
across the old garden.
Sinclair stood, hardly a month later
looking down on his wife's upturne,
face. Once more h slept profoundly
A mocking-bird whistled in a catalpa
tree by an open window. The stricke,
: man frowned and lifted instinctiyel
" a warning hand. but dropped it, re
membering.
q What did it all mean 2" he cues
' toned, STOPPING to the face on ii
= cofin-pillow.
The dead lips smiled. but Withheld
= the response.
E. Copyright, 1906 by Joseph B. Bowles }
l. A Denver dispatch tells of the deat
OF the Original Deadwood Dick" an
"a 1 cortafplv M ono is ootuO ~ o,,ao<fo