Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-07-04

my grandfather, John Marshall Glen.
arm. His staff, his cloak the silk hat
above his shrewd face, and his sharp,
black eyes We're unmstakable. He
flrew silk handkerchief from the
skirts Of his frock coat, with a charac.
teristic flourish that l remembered
well and brushed bit of dust from
his sleeve before looking at any of us.
Then his eyes fell upon me.
Good morning, Jack" he said; and
then gazed with mild curiosity about
fhe room.
God help u.s."
1t was Morgan, I think, who screamed
these words as he bolted for the
broken door, but Stoddard caught and
held him.
Thank God, you're here, sir" broke
forth in Bates scpulchraI voice.
It seemed to me that | saw all that
happened with a weird, unnatural dis
finctness, as one sees, before a storm.
vivid outlines of far headlands that the
usual light of day fails to disclose.
| was myself dazcd and spcllbound:
but do not like to think. even now, of
the effect OF my grandfather's appear.
ance on Arthur Pickering; of the
shock that seemed verify to break him
in two, SO that he staggered, then col.
Iapsed his head falling as though 70
strike his knees. Larry caught him by
the collar ard dragged him to a seat.
where he huddlcd, his twitching hands
at bis 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 endcavoring to crawl
out from under the mass of broken
crystals.
That sir is the sheriff" answered
Bates.
"A very disorderlv man. must say
Jack, what have you been doing to
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, well. I 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"
he added, and eyed the wreck of the
room ruefully The good bumor in his
face treasured ne; but still stood in
tongue-tied wonder. staring at him.
And Plckering'" John Marshall
Glenarm's voice broke with a quiet
mirth that I remembered as the pre-
face usually of something unpleasant
well, 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 10 have called me earlier
I really priced that chandelier i'm.
monsely. And this furniture wasn't
30 bad"
His tone changed abruptly. He
pointed to the sheriff's deputies one
after the other with his stick. There
was, | remembered, always something
insinuating, 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 said of this af-
fair. I'm dead man come to life
again, and ! know great deal that
didn't know before / died. Nothing,
gentlemen, fits a man for life like
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
irploring the aid of heaven against an
evil spirit.
Pickering sat silent. not sure wheth-
er he saw ghost or real flesh and
blood, and Larry kept close to him,
cutting off his retreat | think we all
experienced that bewildered feeling of
children who are caught in mischief
by sudden parental visitation. My
grandfather went about peering at the
books, with tranquil air that was dis
Quietng.
He paused suddenly before the de-
sign for the memorial tablet. which
had made early in my stay at Glen
arm House. | had sketched the letter
ing with some care, and pinned it
against a shelf for my more leisurely
study Of its 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 said, Jack, my boy!"
His voice shook and his hands trem-
blcd as he laid them on my shoulders.
marian, he turned, seeking her, but
the girl had vanished. Just as WE'LL"
he said. This room Is hardly an edi-
flying sight for a woman" heard, for
an instant. light hurried step in the
wall