The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1907-04-11

hC AOCiAh6o WIN NUN L oSNOPtC0
Worthington's invitation were
strangely mingled. He had declared
himself unalterably my enemy, for no
other reason than that had won the
woman he wanted to marry. She was
absent from my side, at the sick bed
of her father, and, being made aware
of the situation, he asked me to come
and spend a week at his house. He
suggested that the visit might make
the enforced absence of my wife more
endurable, and the tone of his letter
in general way seemed to indicate
that he desired to renew the friend
ship which had formerly existed be-
tween us.
Considering the fact that not more
than six months had elapsed since he
vowed toward me such bitter enmity,
L was surprised at the cordiality of
the communication. My intimacy
with Worthington before my mar
tiage had been close and l had
formed the notion that he was a per-
son singularly tenacious of an idea
once formed--in word, that he
would cling, like death to a decision,
whether wrong or right. That he
would ever forgive me for the 'in-
jury" l had done him in marrying
the girl he wanted--he used that
term at the time, remember-I did
not imagine. But had always liked
him exceedingly, up to the period of
our rivalry, and 1t was matter of
course that should be glad to make
1t up" with him. Indeed, 1t was ow-
ing chiefly to this desire ON my part
that l decided to visit him at his
country house, which he called in hu-
NOR the Moated Grange, perhaps be-
cause there was neither farm nor
ditch connected with the estate.
The absurdity of the name was ac-
centuated by the extremely modern
aspect of the dwelling, which was
constructed in accordance with
'Worthington's own peculiar notions.
1t was of very moderate size, but pro-
vided with every possible end-of-the-
century improvement. Domestic ar
chitecure, indeed, was always fad
of his, and we'll remember that as a
schoolboy he used to make plans on
to build when he grew to be man.
Another notion of his was that he
would have two small silver bars of
appropriate shape and size to cool his
tea-a beverage of which he was in
ordinately fond. That metal having
property of absorbing heat, he
would use the bars alternately in his
cup at meals. l may mention that
the first thing l noticed on sitting
down at table with him, Immediately
after my arrival at the Moated
Grange, was two such silver bars
which he used for his tea. He was a
man who seldom, II ever, relinquished
an idea.
There was something about his
manner that struck me as odd. While
cordial, 1t seemed to me bit forced,
though maybe the notion was mag
mary on my part, inasmuch as / was
feeling out of sorts myself. He was
decidedly gay at dinner, talked more
than was his wont, while l contented
myself with listening, and he drank
little more than was good for
him. When he showed me TO my
bedroom chose to retire early, be-
ing wearied by my railway journey
--he had some joking remarks to
make about the peculiarities OF the
apartment, which was entered oddly
enough by flight of six steps lead
ing down from the landing. That is
to say, on crossing the threshold,
one descended these six steps to the
door of the chamber. / thought 1t q
strange mode of architectural con-
struction, but having had long exper-
fence of Worthington's eccentricities,
1t did not occur to me to wonder.
knowing that he had built the house
ON his own plans. He had only
finished 1t within couple of months,
by the way, and he told me that
was the first person to occupy 1t.
you will find 1t very comfort
able" he said, chuckling to himself
as II over some jocular idea of his
own which he did not see fit to com.
municate. ut Is something quite
original in the way Of bedroom,
fiatter myself---built after whim oi
my own, you know. Sleep tight. OLD
man. II you want to light up in the
night just touch the button at the
head OF your couch"
He chuckled again as he left thu
room. and found myself speculatins
us to the cause OF his amusement
while ! undressed myself In thre,
minutes was In bed, and in no time
at all fast asleep.
do not know what 1t was tina
housed me. but some hours later
became suddenly wide awake. May