Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-10-15

They passed a policeman patrolling
his country beat. The doctor gave him
an affable smile. The man saluted
promptly, but looked after them with
a puzzled air. He continued to watch
them ut intervals until they reached
the Grange House.
Anson noticed that the track-it was
a gate guarded bride path now
mounted steadily to the very threshold.
"The place stands on the edge Of
cliff" he said.
"Yes. 1t was built by some recluse.
The rock falls sheer-indeed. slopes in
ward to some extent-for 900 feet"
"Some day, suppose. it will fall
into the sea-"
TProbably. but not In our time. Here
we are. Just allow me to hitch the
reins to the gate post"
He jumped lightly out Of the dog
cart.
"Are there no servants"
"Only an old woman and her daugh-
ter They are busy at this hour"
Philip understood that meal might
be in preparation. He hoped not.
Personally he could not eat there.
DR.. Williams pressed the latch Of an
old fashioned door. He whispered:
"Be as quiet as possible. He may be
asleep II he Is, it will not be for long.
poor fellow"
Indeed the doctor himself betrayed
some slight agitation now. He perSpir-
ed somewhat, and his hand shook.
Ansou followed him into somber
apartment, crudely furnished, half din
ing room. half kitchen. Though the
light Of June evening was clear
enough outside. the interior Of the
house was gloomy in the extreme.
There were some dark curtains shrOud-
Ing doorway.
Lady Morland is in there" murmur-
ed the doctor brokenly. "Will you go
to herr"
Philip oheyed in silence He passed
through the curtains. 1t was so dark
that he Imagined he must be In
passage with door at the other end.
Cant have light?' he asked,
partly turning toward the room he had
just quilted.
In the neglected garden ut the land
ward front of the Grange House the
horse stood patiently on three legs,
Illuminating 10 doubt on the steepness
Of hills and the excellence Of pastures.
Nearly m hour passed thus in solemn
Quietude. Then boy OIL bicycle,
red faced with exertion. pedaled man
fully up the hill and through the gate.
IL hope he's here" he thought IT'S
long way to cOoE. FOR nothin'."
Around his waist was strap with a
pouch bearing the kings monogram.
He ran up to the door and gave a cOu.
pie of thunderous knocks, the privileg-
ed rattat Of Il telegraph messenger.
There was long delay. Then a
heavy step approached, and man
opened the door-a big. heavy faced
man. with eyes that stared dreadfully
ami u nose damaged in life's transit.
"Philip Anson. ESD" said the boy
bris kly, producing buff cOlored en-
velope.
The man seemed to swallow some
thing.
Eyes; he's here. Is that for him?'
"Yes, sir. Any reply?"
The man took the telegram, closed
the door, and the boy heard his retreat
Ing footsteps. After some minutes lie
retl rued.
"It's too late to reply tonight, isn't
itT' he inquired.
Eyes. sir. 1t coom'd after hours, but
they'd paid t porterage II Lunnon so t
postmistress said ye'd mebbe like to
hev it at vance. I've ridden all T. way
frae Scarsdale."
Late that evening. when the pro
tracted cleaning Of the north was fast
yielding to the shadows of a cloudy
night, the big man from the Grange
House drove into Scarsdale. He pulled
up at the Fox and Hounds public
house. He wanted Mr.. Green.
Anson's valet came.
"Your master says you are to bring
his portmanteau to the Grange House
tonight. He intends remaining there
You must get the landlord to sit up
until you return. 1t will take You an
hour and half to drive both ways"
Green was ready In five minutes.
He learned that stable boy must
crouch at their feet to bring the dog.
cart back. 1t was the property Of the
Fox and Hounds proprietor.
Very mwill!ngly the horse swung
Off again toward the moor. There was
little conversation. The driver was
taclturn, the Londoner somewhat scar
! ed by the dark loneliness.
At the Grange House they were met
by Philip Anson. He stood in the open
doorway. He held handkerchief to
his lips and spoke In husky voice. the
voice of one under the stress Of great
agitation.
"That you, Green? Just give my bag
| to the driver and return to the village
Here is q FIVE pound note. Pay your
bill and 90 back to London by the first
train tomorrow. I stop here some few
days."
The astonished servant took the note.