Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-08-24

and faced my man servant Nv ra.
( spect FOR bis rascaliy powers had IN.
. creased immensely since he gave me
: my coffee A contest with so clavar
rogue was worth while.
I'm grateful for your care ~ ma
bates had expected to perish Of
discomfort out here. but you are treat
Thank you. Mr.. Glenarn- do
: what | can. SIR"
He brought fresh candles for the
table eandelabrs, going about with his
accustomed noiseless step. felt q
cold chill creep down my spine as he
passed behind me on these el4Nu5z.
His transition from the role of con-
spirator to that OF my havless serv~
ant was almost too abrupt
dismissed him as quickly as posi-
bic, and listened 10 his step through
the halls as he went about locking the
doors. Tho locking-up process had
rather bored me before: tonight lis
tened with interest for every sound
When 1 heard Bates climbing to his
own quarters I quietly went the
rounds OF my own account and found
everything as light as a drum.
1 was tired enough 70 sleep whom I
went TO my room. and after an event
less night woke 70 clear day and
keener air.
I'm going 70 take a little run into
the village. Bates" I remarked at
breakfast
Very good. sir
IF any should call III be back IN
an hour OF so"
Yes, sir"
i really had an errand In the village.
wished 70 visit the hardware store
and buy some cartridges. but Picker
ing's presence IN the community was
a disturbing factor In my mind. I had
resolved TO get sight OF him-to meet
him, II possible, and SEQ how a man
whose schemes were so deep looked
In the light OF day.
As left the grounds and gained
the highway Stoddard fell in with me.
We'll. Mr.. Gleuarm, I'm glad to sec
you abroad 50 early. With that Il
brary OF yours the temptation must
be strong 20 stay within doors. But
a mans got TO subject himself to tho
sun and wind. Even a good voting
now and then is salutary."
I try % get out every day" I an
swered. But I've chiefly limited my
self 20 my own grounds"
An ancient omnibus. filed with
young women passed at gallon.
bound for the station. and We took on
our hsts
Christmas holidays" explained the
chaplain. Practically all tho students
80 home
Lucky kids. to have homes with
Christmas trees I envy them"
1 suppose. Mr.. Pickering got away
last nisht7" he observed. and my
pulse quickened at the name.
I haven't seen him yot" I an
swered
Then OF course he hasn't goRei-
and these words. uttered IN the big
elergyman's deep tones. seemed Who'll.
ly plausible There was. TO be sure
nothing 50 unlikely as that Arthur
Pickering. executor OF my grandfath-
er's estate. would come to Gleaarm
without seeing me.
Sister Theresa told me this morn
Ing he was there. He called on her
and Miss DevereuT last night. I
haven't seen him myself I thought
possibly I might run into him In the
village. Ris cars very likely on tho
station switch"
NO doubt We shall ind him there
answered easily.
The Annandale station presented
an appearance OF unusual gaiety when
we reached the main street OF the
village There. 20 be sure. lay the
private car In the siding. and on the
platform was a group Of 20 or more
girls, with several or the brown habit
ed Sisters OF ST. Agatha. There was
something little foreign in tho pio-
ture; the girls IN their bright colors
talking gaily. the Sisters In their som
Der garb lowering about. suggesting
France or Italy rather than Indiana.
We stepped upon the platform The
private car lay on the opposite side
OF the station, having been switched
into a siding OF the east and west
road. Pickering was certainly get
ting on There is something wholly
regal in = private car. Any one NAV
boast catboat and call n yacht;
but there Is no known substitution Tor
a private car. AS I lounged across
the platform with Stoddard. Pickering
came out into the vesdbule OF his car.
followed by tive ladies and an elderly
gentleman They all descended and
began g promenade on the plank
walk.
Pickering saw me an instant later
and hurried up with outstretched
hand
This is indeed good fortunel We
dropped OF here last night rather un-
expectedly to rest a hot box and
should have been picked up by the
early express for Chicago; but there
was miscarriage OF orders some
where and we now have to wait for
the nine o'clock. and It's late. II I'd
known how much behind Il was
should have run out TO see you How
are things going7-
AS smooth as a whistler II really
isn't so bad when you face It And the
fact Is I'm actually at work"
That's splendid. The year win GO
fast enough. never fear. suppose
you pine for a little human society