Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-09-21

black eyes were unmistakabio. He
drew q silk handkerchief from the
skirts or his frock coat, with a charac-
tsrlstie flourish that I remembered
well. and brushed bit or dust from
his sleeve before looking ss any Of az.
Then his eyes fell upon nae
Good morning Jack" he said: and
then saxed with mild curiosity about
the room.
God help u.s."
II was Morgan. think. who screamed
these words as be bolted for the
broken door. but Stoddard caught and
held HIM
Thank God. you're here. siri- brok.
forth In Bates sepulchral voice.
X seemed to no that I saw all that
happened with = weird. unnatural dis
unetness. As one sees. before a storm.
vivid outlines OF far headlands that tbe
usual hght OF day fails to disclose.
was myself dazed and speiibound:
but Dc lot like to think. even now OF
the eject OF my grsndfather's appear.
snee on Arthur Pickering: OF the
shock that seemed verify 70 break hin.
m two. 30 that be staggered. then col
lspssd. bis head falling as though TO
strike his knOsA Larry caught him by
the collar and dragged him 20 a seat,
where he huddled, his twitohing hands
AZ his throat
Gentlemen" said my grandfather.
you seem to have been enjoying your
selves Who is this person >"
He pointed with his stick 20 the
sheriff, who was endeavoring to crawl
out from under the mass OF broken
crystals.
That, sir. is the sheriff" answered
Bates.
A very disorderly man. must say.
Jack. what have you been doing to
cause the sheriff SO much incouven-
ience7 Didn't you know that that
chandelier was likely - kill himP
That thing cost thousand dollars.
Gentlemen. you are expensive dsltors.
All. MO-San,-ard Ferguson tool
Well, welli I thought better OF both
OF you. Good morning. Stoddaru 4
little work Tor the church mil tanti
And this gentleman ?"-he ind Gated
Larry. who 'rss. for once in BIS life.
without anyt iing TO say.
Mr.. Don )v-d.-a friend OF the
house" explained Bates
Pleased. I'm sure" said the old gen
ueman. Glad the house has a friend.
II seems 20 have had enemies enough.
he added. and eyed the wreck OF the
room ruefully. The good humor in his
face treasured ne: but still I stood in
tongue-tled wonder. staring at him.
And Pickcring," John Marshall
Glenarm's voice broke with quiet
mirth that I remembered as the pre-
face usually OF something unpleasant.
We'll. Arthur I'm glad 20 end you on
guard, defending the interests OF my
estate. At the risk OF your life. tool
Bates,~
Yes. Mr Glenarm."
You ought 20 have called me earlier.
really priced that chandelier i'm
mensely. And this furniture wasn't
so bsdi"
His tone changed abruptly. he
pointed to the sherirs deputie, one
after the other with his stick. There
was. remembered. always something
insinuating. disagreeable and Anal
eNNAN ny stan.
Clear QUIT" he commanded. Bates.
see these fellows through the wall.
Mr.. Sheriff. II were you I'd be very
careful. indeed. what I HaId OF this az
fair. I'm a dead man come 20 life
again, and I know n great deal that I
didn't know before ] diod. Nothing.
gentlemen. 1ts man for life like a
temporary absence from this cheerful
aud pleasant world. recommend you
10 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 70 his feet. Morgan and
the rest OF the foo were crawling and
staggering away. muttering. as though
imploring the aid OF heaven against AN
evil spirit
Pickering sat silent, not sure whetfl-
er he saw a ghost or real flesh and
blood, and Larry kept close to him,
cutting on his retreat. think we all
experienced that bewildered feeling OF
children who ars caught IN mischief
by sudden parental visitation. Ny
grandfather went about peering at the
books. with a tranquil air that was dis
quieting.
He paused suddenly before the de-
Sign for the memorial tablet, which I
had made early in my stay at Glen
arm House. had sketched the letter
Ing with some care. and pinned Il
against a shelf for my more leIsureIy
study OF It's phrases. The old gentle
man pulled out his glasses and stood
with his hands behind his back. read
Ing. When he finished he walked 10
where I stood.
Jack" he said. Jack. my boy."
His voice shook and his hands trena-
Died 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-
lying sight for a woman" I heard. for
an instant. a light hurried step In the
wall
Pickering. too. heard that faint, fugi-
tive sound. and our eyes met at the in
slant II ceased. The thought OF her
tore my heart and felt that Picker
Ing saw and knew and was glad.
They have all gone. SIR" reported