The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-01-04

about, and it was the same with the
elder Of my companions. Often l was
aware that she shuddered and started
as if waking from no pleasant dream.
Then l knew that she had been think
ing of our adversary, Richard Stend-
hail, whom she feared with the sim
plicity of superstition as though he
were the devil. Sometimes in such mo-
mcnts she would cast a quick glance
at me as if l were her sole reliance in
this just contention
Upon the whole, it was Il highly emo
tional evening for me and for this rea-
son keenly delightful.
When l had parted from Mrs. Des-
borough and pretty Miss Alice after a
bit of supper it was past midnight,
mild, clear and with a growing moon
now falling toward the west was in
no mood for sleep My mind refreshed
itself upon its own delight, and 50 it
happened that l took a long detOur to
pass by StendhalIs home-the Iron
House" as it is called, because of the
abundance of that strong metal in and
around it,
There IS Il tall iron fence upon the
avenue side, and the black arch over
the great gate rises twenty feet at
least. The cumbrouS bolts were al
most on a level with my eyes The up
right bars which l took hold upon were
bigger than my hands could clasp.
This formidable structure, seemingly
designed for giants, dwarfed me in
body, yet enlarged my spirit, for in
the dark mass of that great house Their
was a single lighted window in the
second story. and l believed that Stend
hall burned his lamp 50 late to seek for
refuge against my attack
This was by no means the first time
had stood before his gate. His house.
so ponderously defended, the courtyard
always deserted by day and crowded
with black shadows by night, had ex-
ercised strong fascination upon my
mind long before | dreamed that the
man himself would ever be more than
a name to me. His home fitted him S,
we'll. His iron hardness Of heart his
long defiance of the law, his incredible
wealth locked up in steel behind the
doors Of banks, the mystery of his
ways-thesc and many other images I
had enjoyed years ago, when the scene
was new to lac and Stendhall charmed
my fancy as Il type Of the most mon
6trOus product of our era, the throned
brigand Of industry.
The broad window whence came the
light in Wagering tracery around the
edges Of the curtain had once been
pointed out to me as belonging to the
room where StendhalI received the most
intimate of lis visitors and concocted
his most intricate conspiracics. He. in
deed, formed many alliances and seem
ed to have no need of caution. distrust
ing all men, but fearing none, scorning
treachcry, often betrayed. yet never to
his hurt.
eAs l watched, the light was slowly
lowered. Frugal Stendh&u being about
to leave the room for little while. had
turned down the gas. Presently l saw
CLEAN through a panel of stained
glass upon Il stairway. Then the door
Of the house was opened and two men
appeared. They were no more than
shadows under the oyerhanging, heavy
roof of the stone pillared portco, yet
one Of them was so tall that it must
be Stendhall. The other disclosed no
recognizable Characteristic. They walk
ed slowly along the portico, which end
ed at the wall of an adjoining build
ing. For perhaps two minutes they
were invisible to me. Then Stendhall
returned alone and entered the house.
What had become of the other man?