Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-04-06

Where's Bates?" demanded the
chaplain.
I'll thank you for the answer"
replied.
Larry stood at the top Of the stair
case, holding candle at arms length
in front of him, staring about.
We could hear quite distinctly some
one walking down a stairway, this
sounds were unmistakable, just as ]
had heard them on two previous occa
sions, without ever being able to trace
their source
The noise ceased suddenly, leaving
us with no fi1t Of its whereabouts.
| went directly to the rear of the
house and found Bates putting the
dishes away in the pantry
Where have you been?" 1 de
manded.
Here, sir; l have been clearing up
the dinner things, Mr. Glenarm. Is
there anything the matter, sir?"
Nothing"
| joined the others in the library.
why didn't you tell me thls feudal
imitation was haunted?" asked Larry
in grieved tone I'm increasingly
glad | came. How often does it walk ?"
This is the third time" / admitted
It's the wind in the tower probably;
"You seem full of information" re-
marked, taking another step toward
my hat and coat.
And I've learned something else,
sir"
"Welo"
"They all came together, sir"
who came VIII you tell me that"
Why, the people whove been trav.
cling with Mr.. rickering came Back
with him, and Miss Devereux came
with them from Cincinnati. That's
what | learned in the village And Mr..
Pickering is going to stay
Pickering stay,'
AT a cottage across the lake for a
while. The reason is that he's worn
out with his work, and wishes quiet
The other people went back to New
York in the car"
Hes opened his summer cottage for
January, mas heI
1T does seem the least bit odd, sir"
replied Bates, moving away
| had been blue enough without this
news. Marian Devereux had come
back to Annandale with Arthur Picker
ing; my faith in her snapped like
reed at this astounding news. Being
now entitled to my grandfathers prop
erty she was losing no time in return
ing. She and Pickering had discussed
together at the Armstrong; my fight
from Annandale and her return could
have no other meaning than that there
was a strong tie between them, and
Tat he was now to stay on the ground
until should be dispossessed and her
rights established. She had dared me
to follow her, and my forfeiture had
been sealed by that stolen interview
at the Armstrong; 1t was black. rec
ord, and the thought of it angered me
against myself and the world.
Tell Mr.. Donovan that I've gone to
Sc. Agatha's," | said, and l was soon
striding toward the school.
A Sister admitted me. Somewhere
in the building music lesson was in
progress. and I consigned the inventor
of pianos to hideous torment as scales
were pursued endlessly up and down
the keys. Two girls passing through
tire hall made preteXt of looking for
= book and came in and exclaimed
over their inability to find it with
much suppressed gtggling that added
further to my rage.
The piano pounding continued and l
waited for what seemed an inter-
minabIe time 1t was growing dark
and a maid brought lamps | took a
book from the table II was THE Life
of BenveEuto CeII:ni" and Marian Dew
ereux was written on the fly leaf, by
Enthusiastically the same hand that had
penued the apology for Olivia's per-
formances. saw in the clear, flowing
lines of the signature, in their lack OF
superiority, her own ease, grace and
charm; and, in the deeper stroke with
which the *" was crossed, | felt a
challenge, a readiness to abide by con.
sequences once her word was given.
Then my own inclination to think well
of her angered me, and l dropped the
book impatiently as she crossed the
threshold
Il am sorry to have kept you wait.
ing, Mr.. Glenarm. But this is my busy
hour"
Il shall not detain you long. came"
Il hesitated, not knowing why 1 had
come.
She took a chair near the open door
and bent forward with an air of atten-
ton that was disquieting. She wore
black-perhaps to fit her the better
into the house of a somber Slsterhood.
I seemed suddenly to remember her
fran a time long gone and the effort
Of memory threw me off guard. Stod-
dard had said there We're several
Olivia Armstrong;; there were GER
tainly many Marian Devereuxs. The
silence grew intolerable; she was wait
ing for me TO speak. and blurted
81 SupDQSe Won have come 10 take