Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-05-10

II was Morgan, I think, who screamed
these words a. he boltsd for thu
broken door. but Stoddard caught and
held HIM.
Thank God, you're here, sir" brok,
forth in Bates sepulchral voice.
II seemed to me that saw all tina,
happened with q weird. unnatural dis
tnctness, a. one sees, before q storm
vivid outlines Of Ear headlands that II,
usual light Of day fails to disclose.
was myself dassd and spellbound
but do not like to think, even now, o.
the effect Of my grandfather's appear
ance on Arthur Pickering; Of tn,
shock that seemed verify to break hin
In two, so that he staggered, then col
lApsed, his head falling as though Il
strike his knees. Larry caught him b,
the collar and dragged him to q seat
where he huddled, his twitching hands
at his throat.
Gentlemen" said my grandfather
you seem to have been enjoying your
selves. Who is this person.
He pointed with his stick to the
sheriff, who was endeavoring to craw
out from under the mass Of broken
crystals.
THAT, sir, is the sheriff." answered
Bates.
"A very disorderly man, | must sry
Jack, what have you been doing tc
cause the sheriff so much inconven
fence? Didn't you know that that
chandelier was likely to kill him
That thing cost a thousand dollars
Gentlemen, you are expensive visitors
All, Morgan,-and Ferguson, too
Well, we'll! l thought better Of both
of you. Good morning, Stoddard! A
little work for the church militant
And this gentleman?"-he indicated
Larry, who was, for once in his life
without anything to say.
"Mr. Donovan,-a friend Of the
house." explained Bates.
Pleased, I'm sure" said the old gen
tleman. Glad the house has a friend
1t seems to have had enemies enough,
ne added, and eyed the wreck of the
room ruefully. The good humor in his
face treasured me; but still stood In
tongue-tied wonder, staring at him.
And Pickeringl" John Marshall
Glenarm's voice broke with a quiet
mirth that | remembered as the pre-.
face usually Of something unpleasant
We'll, Arthur, I'm glad to find you on
guard, defending the interests of my
estate. At the risk Of your life, too!
Bates!"
yes, Mr.. Glenarm."
You ought to have called me earlier
| really priced that chandelier i'm.
mensely. And this furniture wasn't
so bad!"
His tone changed abruptly. He
pointed to the sheriff's deputies one
after the other with his stick. There
was, remembered, always something
lnsinuating, disagreeable and final
about my grandfather's staff.
Clear OUT" he commanded. Bates,
see these fellows through the wall.
Mr.. Sheriff, If were you I'd be very
careful, indeed. what I said Of this az.
fair. I'm a dead man come to life
again, and l know a great deal that
didn't know before l died Nothing,
gentlemen, fits a man for Ike like a
temporary absence from this cheerful
and pleasant world. recommend you
to try it"
He walked about the room with the
quick, eager step that was peculiarly
his own, while Stoddard, Larry and
stared at him. Bates was helping the
dazed sheriff to his feet. Morgan and
the rest Of the foe were crawling and
staggering away, muttering, as though
imploring the aid Of heaven against an
evil spirit.
Pickering sat silent, not sure wheth.
er he saw a ghost or real flesh and
blood, and Larry kept close to him.
cutting off his retreat. | think we all
experienced that bewildersd feeling of
children who are caught in mischief
by a sudden parental visitation. My
grandfather wen. about peering at the
books, with a Tranquil air that was dis.
Quieting.
He paused suddenly before the de-
sign for the memorial tablet, which I
had made early in my stay at Glen.
arm House. had sketched the letter.
ing with some care, and pinned 1t
against a shelf for my more leisurely
study Of It's phrases. The old gentle.
man pulled out his glasses and stood
with his hands behind his back. read
ing. When he finished he walked to
where stood,
Jack" he raid, Jack, my boyl"
His voice shook and his hands trem.
bled as he laid them on my shoulders.
Marian, turned, seeking her, but
the girl lad vanished. "Just as well. I"
he said. This room Is hardly an edi-
flying sight for q woman" | heard, for
an instant, light hurried step in the
wall.
Pickering, too, heard that faint, fugi-
tive sound, and our eyes met at the In
slant 1t ceased. The thought of her
tore my heart and felt that Picker