Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-03-15

The fellow turned and faced me
across the table.
mir. Glenarm, as I hope God may
be merclful to me in the last judg-
ment, | don't know any more about It
than you do"
You were here with Mr.. Glenarm
all the time he was building the house,
but you never saw walls built that
weren't what they appeared to be, or
doors made that didn't lead any.
where"
! ! summoned all my irony and con.
tempt for this arraignment. He lifted
his hand as though making oath.
AS God sees me, that is all true.
was here to care for the dead masters
comfort and not to spy on him, sir"
And Morgan, yJur friend, what
about him."
II wish | knew, sir"
Il wish to the devil you did" and |
flung out Of the room and into the L.
brary.
At IL o'clock | heard a pounding
at the great front door and Bates came
to announce a caller, who was now
stamping the snow from his shoes
audibly in the outer hall.
The Reverend Paul Stoddard, sir"
The chaplain Of st. Agatha's was a
big fellow, as | had remarked on the
occasion Of his interview with Olivia
Gladys Armstrong by the wall. His
light brown hair was close-cut; his
smooth shaver face was bright with
the freshness Of youth. Here was a
sturdy young apostle without frills,
but with vigorous grip that left my
hand tingllng. His voice was deep
and musical-a voice that suggested
sincerity and inspired confidence.
I'm afraid | haven't been neigh.
borly, Mr.. Glenarm. was called
away from home few days ago after
heard Of your arrival, and | have
Just got back. ! blew in yesterday
with the snow storm"
He folded his arms easily and
looked at me with cheerful directness,
as though politely specializing as to
what manner of man | might be.
1T was a fine storm; got a great
day, out Of it," | said. IAN Indiana
snow storm is something have never
experienced before"
This is my second winter. | came
out here because | wished to do some
reading and thought Id rather do it
alone in a university"
"Studious habits are rather forced
on one out here. | should say. In nv
own case my course of reading is all
cut out for me-"
The Glenarm collection Is famous
the best in the country, easily. Mr.
Glenarm. your grandfather was Ger.
tainly an enthusiast. ! met him sew
eral times, though he was a trihe hard
TO meet the clergyman smiled.
my grandfather had his whims:
but he was fine, generous.hearted
old gentleman" | said.
You haven't been on our side OF
the wall yet? Well, ! promise not to
molest your hidden treasure il you'll
be neighborly,' and he laughed mer.
rlly.
81 fear there's a big Joke involved in
the hiddenl Treasure" replied I'm
90 busy staying al home 10 guard It
that | have no time for social recrea-
ton"
lie looked at me quickly to see
whether | was joking. His eyes we're
steady and earnest. The Reverend
Paul Stoddard impressed me more and
more agreeably. There was a sugges-
ton OF quiet strength about him that
drew me to him.
i suppose every one about here
thinks OF nothing but that I'm at Glen
arm to earn my inheritance. My resi-
dence here must look pretty sordid
from the outside"
Mr.. Glenarms will is a matter Of
record in the county, of course. But
you are toe, hard on yourself. It's no
oody's business II your grandfather
wished to visit his whims on you. /
should say, in my own case, that |
don't consider 1t any of my business
What you are here for. | didn't come
over to annoy you or to pry into your
anairs. get lonely now and then
and thought I'd like to establish neigh.
borly relations"
Ihank you; | appreciate your com.
ing very much. and my heart warm.
ed under the manifest kindness of the
man.
And | hope"-he spoke for the first
time with restraint-T hope nothing
VIII prevent your knowing Sister
Theresa and Miss Devereux. They
are interesting and charming-the
only women. about here Of your own
social status"
My liking for him abated slightly. |
de might be detective, represent. |
ing the alternative heir, for all knew |
and possibly Sister Theresa was a
party to the conspiracy to drive me
away.
In time, no doubt, in time, shall
know them," answered evasively.
oh. quite as you like!"-and he
changed the subject We talked OF