The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1907-12-05
THE HOUSE OF
As THOUSAND
CANDLES
By MEREDITH NICHOLSON
.rihcr Of THE MAIN CHANCE" ZELDA
CAMERON" Etc.
copyright 1906 BY BobbsMerrii Co.
CHAPTER iv.-continued.


hates swung along confidently enough
Md back the branches. began to
,el as my rage abated, that / had set
nj on foolish undertaking. l was
Itterly at sea as to the character of
he grounds; was following a man
Ethom had not seen until two hours
More, and whom l began to suspect
all manner Of designs upon me. 1t
las wholly unlikely that the person
|.bo had fired into the windows would
urk about, and, moreover, the light of
he lantern, the crackle of the leaves
Ind the breaking of the boughs adver-
ised our approach loudly.
A bush slapped me sharply and
topped to rub the sting from my face.
"Are you hurt, sir?" asked Bates so.
eitously, turning with the lantern.
"Of course not" snapped. 'Tm
having the time of my life. Are there
= b paths in this jungle?"
Not just here, sir. 1t was Mr.. Glen
Erm's idea not to disturb the wood at
kl He was very fond of walking
hrough the timber"
mot at night, l hope! Where are
Ne now?"
quite near the lake, SIR"
"Then go on"
| was out of patience with Bates,
Nth the painless woodland, and !
must confess, with the spirit of John
MARSHALL Glenarm, my grandfather.
We came out presently upon a gray.
klly beach, and Bates stamped sud-
ienly on planking.
This is the Glenarm dock. sir; and
hats the boat house."
He waved his lantern toward low
ktructure that rose dark beside us. AS
Ne stood silent, peering out into the
Etarlight, heard distinctly the dip of
paddle and the soft gliding motion of
canoe.
Its boat, sir" whispered Bates,
lding the lantern under his coat.
brushed past him and crept to the
Fnd of the dock. The paddle dipped
b silently and evenly in the still
Fater but the sound grew fainter. A
|anoe is the most graceful, the most
)ensitive, the most inexplicable con-
|rvance of man. With it's paddle you
bay dip up stars along quiet shores or
iteal into the very harbor of dreams
knew that furtive splash instantly,
Ind knew that trained hand welded
be paddle. My boyhood summers in
be Maine woods were not, find,
fholly wasted.
The owner Of the canoe had evident
stolen close to the Glenarm dock
. |ut had made off when alarmed by the
Boise of our approach through the
FOod.
Have you boat near here, Bates?"
asked.
"The boat house is locked and l
haven't the key with me, SIR" he re.
|led, without excitement.
"Of course you haven't it." re-
pned. full of anger at his tone Of ire
roachable respect, and at my own
3elpfulness. l had not even seen the
lace by daylight, and the woodland
luC anu thO ttI my hSSe
ere things of shadow and mystery.
my rage l stamped my foot.
Lead the way back" | roared.
had turned toward the woodland
hen suddenly there stole across the
later voice,-a woman's voice, deep,
usical and deliberate.
Really, / shouldn't be so angry If
ere you!" it said, with lingering
cte on the word angry.
Who are you? What are you doing
lere?" l bawled.
Just enjoying little tranquil
ought!" was the drawing, hooking
eply.
Far out upon the water l heard the
p and glide of the canoe, and saw
intly it's outline for moment; then
y was gone. The lake, the surround
b wood, were an unknown world
be canoe, a boat of dreams. Then
sain came the voice:
Good night, merry gentlemen!"
1t was lady, sir" remarked Bates,
ter we had waited silently for full
mute.
How clever you are." sneered.
suppose ladies prowl about here at
Hght. shooting ducks or into peoples
Ouses."
1t would seem quite likely, sir"
should have liked to cast him into
Re lake, but he was already moving
Fay, the lantern swinging at his side.
Followed him, back through the wood
&nd to the house.
my spirits quickly responded to the
Heering influence of the great library.
stirred the fire ON the hearth into
Y and sat down before it, tired from
III tramp. / was mystified and per-
eSed by the incident that had al
ady marked my coming. It>was pos
Ole, to be sure. that the bullet which
rrowly missed my head in the little
ming room had been wild shot that
fried no evil intent. l dismissed at
pee the idea that 1t might have been
Hed from the lake; 1t had crashed
Trough the glass with too much force
have come 80 far; and, moreover.
lld hardly imsslBs even a rife ball