The Elbert County tribune., 1907-09-19
R5ERlALA
GpSTORY@zJ
THE HOUSE OF
A THOUSAND
CANDLES
By MEREDITH NICHOLSON
Auihsr Of THE MAIN CHANCE" ZELDA
CAMERON" Etc.
copyrisht l0as !, Bobs.-Msrl1n Co.
CHAPTER xxII.-continued.

CHAPTER HEtl.--Continued.
She swung the lantern at arms
length back and forth SO that its rays
at every forward motion struck my
face like blow
1T isn't exactly pleasant in this cav.
ern. Unless you wish to turn me over
to the lord high executioner, will bid
you good night"
But the infamy of this-of coming
in here to spy upon me-to help my
enemy-the man who is seeking plum
der-doesn't seem to trouble you"
mo. Not particle." she replied
quietly, and then, with an impudent
fling. "Oh, mol" she held up the lantern
to look at the wick. I'm really disap-
pointed to find that you we're a little
ahead of me, Squire Glenarm. / didn't
give you credit for 80 much-persever-
ance. But If you have the notes"
"The notes, He told you there were
notes, did he? The coward sent you
here to find them, after his other tools
failed him? ?"
She laughed that low laugh of hers
that was like the bubble of spring.
"Of course no one would dare deny
what the great Squire Glenarm says"
she said witheringly.
you can't know what your perfidy
means to me-" / said That night at
the Armstrong;, 1 thrilled at the sight
OF you. AS you came down the stair
way thought of you as my good angel
and belonged to you,-all my life, the
better future that wished to make for
your sake"
please don't!" she exclaimed sor-
'sowfully. the mirth all gone. l felt
that my words had touched her; that
there were regret ard repentance in
her tone and in the gesture with which
she turned from me.
She hurried down the passage toward
the chapel, swinging the lantern at her
side. and / followed, still mystified,
and angered by her composure. She
even turned, with pretty courtesy, to
hold the light for me at the crypt
steps,-a service that l accepted per-
force and with joyless acquiescence In
the irony of 1t.
You seem to know good deal
about this place. and suppose can't
object to your familiarizing yourself
with your own property. And the
notes-Pll give myself the pleasure OF
handing them to you tomorrow. You
can cancel them and give them to Mr.
Piekering,-a fitting pledge between
you!"
/ thrust my hands into my pockets
to give an impression of ease did not
possess.
ha vlr a1 In, nj na1
tone; 100000 dollars is no mean
sum Of money. Mr.. Pickering will un-
doubtedly be delighted to have his
debts cancelled"
In exchange for life of devotion" "
/ sneered. 80 you knew the sum
the exact amount of these notes. He
hasn't served you well. He should
have told you that we found them to.
day."
You are not nice, are you, Squire
Glenarm, when you are cross? But
Mr.. Pickering wasn't kind not to tell
me. Why, i might catch dreadful
cold down here!"
She was like Olivia now. I felt the
utter futility of attempting to reason
with a woman who could become a
child at will. She walked up the steps
and out into the church vestibule
Then before the outer door she spoke
with decision.
I'VE part here, If you please! And
Il have not the slightest intention OF
trying to explain my errand into that
passage. You have jumped to your
own conclusion, which VIII have to
oIx t. t,,l,
very much about ito the exclusion
of more important business,-Squire
Glenarm!"
She lifted the lantern to turn out its
light, and 1t made a glory of her face
but she paused and held it toward me
Pardon me! You will need this to
light you home"
But you must not cross the park
alone!"
Good night Please be sure 10
close the door to the passage when you
go down. You are dreadfully heed.
less person, Squire Glenarm."
She flung open the outer chapel
door and ran along the path toward
st. Agatha's. / watched her in the
starlight until a bend In the path hid
her swift-moving figure.
Down through the passage / has
tened. her lantern lighting my way.
At the Door of Bewilderment closed
the opening, setting up the line of
wall as we had left 1t in the after
noon, and then l went back to the
library, freshened the fire and brooded
before 1t until Bates came to relieve
me at dawn.
CHAPTER XIII.