Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-02-22
CHAPTER "
A Red Tam.o'Shanter.


ton. Trees crowded about nv win.
dows. many of them still wearing their
festal colors, scarlet and brown and
gold, with the bright green of some
stubborn companion standing out here
and there with startling vividness. I
put on 40 old corduroy outing suit and
heavy shoes, ready for a tramp abroad
and went below. DO
The great library seemed larger than
ever when | beheld It in the morning
light. | opened one of the French
Q windows and stepped out on a stone
terrace, where | gained fair view of
the exterior of the house, which proved
TO be modified Tudor, with battle
ments and two towers. One Of the lat
ter was only half-finished, and to it
and to other parts of the house the
Workmen's scaffolding still chung.
Heaps OF stone and piles of lumber
we're scattered about in great disorder.
The house extended partly along the
edge OF a. ravine, through which O
slender creek ran toward the lake.
sThe terrace became a broad balcony
Immediately outside the library, and
beneath it the water dubbed pleasant
ly around heavy stone pillars. Two
pretty rustic bridges spanned the
ravine, one near the front entrance,
the other at the rear My grandfather
mad projected his house on a generous
plan, bus buried as it was among the
trees, it suffered the lack of perspec-
i've. However, on one side toward the
lake was a fair meadow, broken by a
Water-tower, and just beyond the west
dividing wall saw a little chanel; and
still farther, In the same direction, the
outlines of the BUILDINGS of St
Agathas were vaguely perceptible in
another strip of woodland.
The thought OF. gentle nuns and
schoolgirls as neighbors amused me.
All | asked was that they should keep
to their own side of the wall.
| heard behind me the careful step
of Bates.
Good morning Nr Glo1arm. trust
You rested cutie well. cfr"
. His figure vas a9 1Vaj ie. his tone
as respectful and coIorlass as by night
The morning light eaye him a pallid
cast lie suffered my examination
coolIy enough; his eyes we're. indeed
the best thing about him.
You may breakfast when You like :
sir, and thus admon,shed | went inc
the refectory.
AneTspaper lay at my plate: it was
the mornings issue Of a Chicago daily
! was, then not wholly ont of the
,Torld, | reflected, scanning the head
lines.
F. Bates had placed me so that faced
the windows an attention to nv cam
fort and safety that d pIeclated. The
broken pane told he tale Of the shot
that had 50 narrowly missed me the
night before.
Eth repair that to-day, sif. !" Bates
remarked, seeing my eyes upon the
window.
@ You know that I'm to spend a year
on this place. assume that You are
acquainted with the circumstances" |
said, feeling it wise that We should
understand each other.
. Quite so, Mr.. Glenarm."
e I'm student, you know, and all I
want is to be let alone"
This | threw in to reassure myself
rather than for his information. II
was just as well, | reflected, to assert
a little authority, even though the fell.
low undoubtedly represented Picker
Ing and received orders from him.
In day or two, or as soon as 7
have got used to the place, shall set
tie down to work in the library. You
may give me breakfast at seven-thirty:
luncheon at one-thirty and dinner at
seven"
Those were my late masters hours,
sir"
Very well. And I'll eat anything
you please, except mutton broth, meat
pie and canned strawberries. Straw.
berries in tins, Bates. are not we'll cal.
culated to lift the spirit of man."
I quite agree with you, sir, if you
will pardon my opinion"
And the bills"
They are provided for by Mr. Pick.
ering He sends me an allowance for
the household expenses"
so you are to report to him are
you. as heretofore?",
l blew out match with which | had
lighted cigar and watched the smok-
Ing end lntently.
7 believe that's the idea, sir"
lt'is not pleasant to be under com.
pulsion,-to feel your freedom cur.
tailed, to be conscious of espionage
i arose without word and went into
the hall.
You may like to have the KEYS"
said Bates, following me. There's two
for the gates in the outer wall and one
for the st. Agatha's gate; they're
marked, as you see. And here's the
hall door key and the boat house kew
that you asked for last night"
After an hour spent in unpacking I
went out into the grounds. thought
1t well to wire Pickering of my arrival
and set out for Annandale to send
him telegram.
/ found the gate through which we
u