The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-03-17
No. 10
The Doom

topic of conversation. Her house was
deserted, her numerous satellites were
not to be found. The womn herself
had gone as if it were from the face of
the earth. Nearly every detective in
London was engaged in her pursuit.
Scotland yard had never been more
asOg with excitement: but day after
day passed. and there was not the most
remote tidings OF her capture.
a few days before Christmas I had
visit from Dufrayer. He found me
pacing up and down my laboratory.
What is the matter?" he asked.
THE old story" I answered.
He shook his head.
This won't do Norman; you must
turn your attention to something else.
THAT is impossible" l replied, rails
ing haggaTd eyes to his.
He came uD TO me and laid his hand
on my shoulder.
you want change. Head, and you
must have it. 1 have come in the nick
of time with an invitation which ought
10 suit US both. We have been asked
down to ROkesby rectOry to spend
Christmas with my old friend, the rec
tor. You have often heard me speak
OF William Sherwood. He is one of the
best fellows / know. Shall I accept the
invitation for both Of us?"
Where is Rokesby rectory2" 1 asked.
IN cumberland. ABOUT Thirty AlliltS
from Lake Windermere, a most pic
tUresque quarter. We shall have as
much seclusiOn as we like at Sher-
woods house and the air is braciiig. If
we run down next Monday we shall
be in time for a merry Christmas.
What do YOU sav?"
l agreed to accompany Dufrayer, and
the following Monday, at an early hour
we started on our journey. Nothing of
Of
one of the large functions a party of
gypsies got into a thiTd-class cOmpaTt-
ment near our own. Amongst them 1
noticed one woman, taller than the rest,
who wore a shawl so arranged over her
head as to conceal her face. The unus-
uai sight of gypsies travelling by train
attracted my attention, and I remarked
on il to Dufrayer. Later on, l noticed
too, that they were singing, and that
one voice was clear, and fun, and
rich.
At Rokesby station the gyDsies left
the train, and each of them carried his
or her bundle, disappearing almost i'm
mediately into a thick pine forest,
which stretched away to the left of the
little station.
The peculiar gait of the tall
woman attracted me, and was
about to mention il to Du-
frayer. when SherwOod's sudden ap-
pearance and hurried, hospitable greet
ing nus it out OK my head.
The vicarage was six miles from the
nearest ~tatiOn, but TO drive through
the bracing air was invigorating.
When we reached the house we saw
a slenderly made girl standing on the
porch. She held a lamp in her hand,
and its bright light Illuminated each
feature. She had dark eyes and pale,
somewhat nervous face; she could not
have been more than Is years of age
Here we are, Rosaly," called out
her father, and cold, too, after our
journey. 1 hope you have seen TO the
fires
Yes. father; the house is warm and
comfortable was the reply.
The girl stepped onto the gravel, and
held out her hand to Dufrayer, who
was an old friend. Dufrayer turned
and introduced me.
Mr.. Head, ROsaly," he said; you
have often heard me speak Of him"
Many times" she answered. How
do you Mr.. Head? 1 am very glad
indeed to welcome you here-you seem
quite like an old friend; but come in
both of YOU, do-you must be frozen"
She led the way into the house, and
we found ourselves in a spacious and
very lofty hall.
Al gOu are iOLANAilS our man, SdlQ
the girl, observing the interest in my
face. at is quite one Of the features
of Rokesby; but the fact is. this is quite
an old house. and was not turned into
q rectory until the beginning of the pre-
sent century. I Will take you all over
it tomorrow. Now. do come into faith
er's smoking room-I have had tea pre-
pared there for you"
She turned to the left, threw open a
hpur-ty dOor fnr int
n room lined with cedar from floor to
ceiling. Great logs were burning on the
hearth, and tea had been prepared
Miss Sherwood attended to our comforts
and presently left us to enjoy our
smoke.
When she had gone the rector looked
after her with affectionate eyes.
What charming girl" 1 could not
help saying.
"I am glad you take to her. Mr..
Head" was his reply; 81 need not say
that she is the light of my old eyes.
Rosaly's mother died a fortnight after
her birth, and the child has been my
one eve lamb. But l am sorry to say
she is sadly delicate. and I have had
many years of anxiety about her"
Indeed" I replied: 'it is true she
looks pale. but 1 should have judged
that she was healthy-rather of the
wiry make"
I'm body she is fairly healthy. but
hers is peculiarly nervous organism.
She suffers intensely with all sorts of
terrOTs. and her environment is not the
best for her. She had q shock when
young. I viii tell you about it later
on"
Soon afterwards Dufrayer and I went
to our respective rooms, and when we
met in the drawing room half an hour
later, Miss Sherwood, in pretty dress,
was standing by the hearth. Her man
ners were very simple and unaffected
and, although thoroughly girlish, were
not wanting in dignity. She was evil
IDENTIFY well accustomed 10 receiving her
fathers guests. and also to making
them thoroughly at home. When we
entered the dining room we were al
ready in a brisk conversation. and her
young voice and soft. dark-brown eyes
added much to the attractivness of the
pleasant scene.
Towards the end OF the meal I al
lude1 once more to the old house.
II suppose it is very Old" said. sit
has certainly taken me by surprise
you must tell me its history"
/ looked fun at my young hostess as
I smoke To my SurpriSp a shadow i'm