Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-03-23
THE HOUSE OF A
THOUSAND CANDLES
BY Nicholson
Copyright BY Bobbs-.
By Meredith Nicholson

| SITUATION uf0 not p.@3Be lie, h&d not
travelled so far and barglariously en-
tered Doctor Armstrong; house in
quest Of girl with blue eyes merely
TO stand by while she talked with an
other man.
drew nearer. impatiently; and was
conscious that four other young men
in white waistcoats and gloves quite
! as irreDroachable as my own stood
ready to claim her the instant she was
free. did not propose to be thwarted
ny the beaux of Cincinnati and ad-
dressed my host boldly.
Il beg your pardon, Doctor"
said with an assurance for which
blush to this hour
"All right, my boy; /, too. have been
in Arcady!" he exclaimed in cheerful
apology, and she put her hand on my
arm and led her away.
''He called me my boy 80 | must be
passing muster" | remarked. not dar-
Ing to look at her.
Hes afraid not to recognize you.
His inability to remember faces Is
town joke"
We reached a quiet corner OF the
great hall and found seat for her
you don't seem surprised to see
| me.--you knew | would come. | should
have come across the world for this,
for just this"
Her eyes were grave at once.
"Why did you come? | did not think
you were 80 foolish. This is also
wretched. You didn't know that Mr.
Pickering-Mr. Pickering"
She was greatly distressed and this
name came from her chokingly
yes; what of him." laughed. "He
Is well on the way to California. and
without you!"
/ "No-you don't know-you don't I'M
derstand-he's here! He abandoned
| his California trip at Chicago. he tele-
/ graphed me to expect him-here-to-
night! You must go at once-at
/ once!"
"Ah, but you can't brighten me-"
| said, trying to realize just what a meet
ing with Pickering in that house might
mean.
"No,"-she looked anxiously about,
1
| Taylors: they know the Armstrong;
quite Well They may come at any
moment now. Please go!"
| But | have only few minutes my
| self.-you wouldn't have me sit them
/ out in the station down town? There
| are some things | have come to say.
and Arthur Pickering and | are not
afraid of each other!"
But you must not meet him here
Think what that would mean to me!
You are very foolhardy, Mr. Glenarm.
had no idea you would come"
But you wished to try me.-you
challenged me-"
That wasn't melt was Olivia"
she laughed. more at ease. 81
thought"
Yes. what DID you thint-that
was tied hand and foot by dead
mans money"
mo, it wasn't that wretched for
tune; but | enjoyed playing the child
before you--I really love Olivia-and
it seemed that the fairies were protect
ing me and that | could play being
child to the very end of the chapter
without-any real mischief coming of it.
wish I were OLIVIA" she declared
her eyes away from me.
That's rather idle. I'm not really
sure yet what your name is. and !
don't care. Let's imagine that we
haven't any names,-I'm sure my name
isn't of any use, and I'll be glad to go
nameless all my days If only"
OF only" she repeated idly, open
ing and closing her fan. 1t was fraif
blue trife. painted in golden butter
| flies.
There are so many If onlies' that II
! hesitate to choose; but | Will venture
| one. If only you will come back to st
! Agatha's. Not tomorrow, or the next
| day, but, say. with the first bluebirds
! | believe they are the harbingers up
! there"
| Her very ease was a balm TO my
| spirits: she was now veritable daugh-
| ter OF repose. One arm in its long.
| white sheath lay quiet in her lap; her
| right hand held the golden butterflies
| against the soft curve of her cheek A
/ collar OF pearls clasped, her throat and
accented the clear girlish outlines of
her profile. I felt the appeal of her
youth and purity. 1t was like a cry in
my heart. and the dreary house by the
lake, and Pickering and the weeks
within the stone walls of my prison
were as though they had never been.
The friends who know me best
never expect me to promise to be any
where at a given time. l can't tell;
perhaps | shall follow the bluebirds to
Indiana; but why should l, when
can't play being Olivia any more?"
why not? You have seen how dull
| am; and that note of apology you
wrote from the school really fooled
me. But have seen the real Olivia
now. | don't want Won TO so too far
not where can't follow-and this
flight shall hardly dare repeat"
Her lips clOspd--likc rose that had