Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1907-11-15

~lHE road was once the highway,
but, the tide having played so
many tricks with Its number
u less bridges. a new one had
been built farther up the cliff. carry
Ing with it the life and business Of the
small town. Many old landmarks still
remained-shops. warehouses and even
a few scattered dwellings But most
Of these were deserted. and those that
we're still in use showed such neglect
that 1t was very evident the whole re-
gion would soon be given up to the
encroaching sea and such interests as
are inseparable from it.
The hour was that mysterious one.
Of the late twilight, when outlines lose
their distinctness and sea and shore
melt into one mass OF uniform gray.
There was no wind, and the waves
came In with soft plash. but so near
to the level of the road that 1t was ev-
ident even to these strangers that the
tide was at Its height and would pres
emily begin to ebb.
Soon they had passed the last for
saken dwelling. and the town proper
lay behind them. Sand and few
rocks were all that lay between them
now and the open stretch of the ocean,
which at this point approached the
land In a small bay. well guarded on
either side by embracing rocky heads.
This was what made the harbor at c..
1t was very still They passed one
team, and only one. Sweetwater look
ed very sharply at this team and at its
driver. but saw nothing to arouse sus-
picion. They We're now half mile
from c. and seemingly in perfectly
desolate region.
"a mandatory here" exclaimed
Mr. Grey. 1t was the first word he
had uttered since starting.
mot far from here" was Sweetwa-
ter's equally laconic reply and. the
road taking n turn almost ut the mo-
ment of his speaking. he leaned for
ward and pointed OFT building stand
ing on the right Ia I'd side of the road
with its feet in the water. That's IT."
said he. "They described it well
enough for me to know 1t when see
it. Looks like a robbers hole at this
time of night" he laughed. But what
can you expect from a mandatory of
patent medicneY
Mr.. Grey was silent. He was look
ing very earnestly at the building.
at Is larger than l expected" he re-
marked Mt the last.
Sweetwater himself was surprised.
but as they advanced and their point
Of view changed they found 1t to be
really an insignificant structure. and
Mr.. Wellgood's portion of 1t more in
significant still
In reality 1t was collection of three
stores under one roof: two Of them
were shut up and evidently unoccu-
pied, the third showing lighted win
dow. This was the mandatory. 1t
occupied the middle place and present
ed a tolerably decent appearance. 1t
showed, besides the lighted lamp
have mentioned. such signs Of life as
few packing boxes tumbled out on the
small platform in front. and a whinny-
ing horse attached to empty buggy,
tied to post on the opposite side OF
the road
I'm glad to see the lamp" muttered
Sweetwater. "Now. what shall we
do? Is 1t light enough for you to see
his face. If can manage to bring him
to the door,
Mr. Grey seemed startled
"Its darker than thought" said he.
"But call the man and II | cannot see
him plainly. I'll shout to TIE horse 10
ctn ,triII t.,I.
| to bring this Wellgocd nearer. But do
not be surprised If rifle Of before he
reaches the buggy. I'll come back
again and take you up farther down
| the road"
"All right, sir" answered Sweet
water with Il side glance at the speak
er's inscrutable features. ITS go"
| And leaping to the ground he ad
vanced TO the mandatory door and
knocked loudly.
| No one appeared.
| He tried the latch; 1t lifted. but the
| door did not open: 1t was fastened
| from within.
| Strange" he muttered. casting a
| glance at the waiting horse and buggy
then at the lighted window. which
was on the second floor directly over
his head. Guess I'll sing out"
Here he shouted the mans name
"Wellgood. | say. Wellgood"'
No response to this either
Looks bad" he acknowledged I,
himself. and. taking a step back. h'
looked up at the window.