The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1907-09-27
THE HOUSE OF A THOUSAND CANDLES
MEREDITH NICHOLSON
Author of THE MAIN CHANCE" LDA CAMERON" Etc.

here to find them, after his other tools
failed him."
She laughed that low laugh of hers
that was like the bubble of a 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;, | thrilled at the sight
OF you. AS you came down the stair
way thought of you as my good angel
IlL 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. felt
that my words had touched her: that
there were regret and 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 ! accepted per.
force and with joyless acquiescence in
the irony of 1t. knew that did not
believe in her; her conduct as to Pick
ering was utterly indefensible.-l could
not forget that: but the light OF her
eyes, her tranquil brow. the sensitive
lips, whose mockery stung and pleased
In breath,-by such testimony my
doubts were alternately reinforced and
disarmed Swept by these changing
moods followed her out into the
crypt.
You seem to know good deal
about this place, and | suppose cant
object to your familiarizing yourself
with your own property. And the
notcs-Ill give myself the pleasure OF
handing them to You tomorrow. You
can cancel them and give them to Mr.
Pickering.-a fitting pledge between
you"
| thrust my hands into my pockets
to give an impression of ease | did not
possess.
Yes" she remarked in practical
tone: "$32O,OOO 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"
I sneered. so 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 a dreadful
cold down here!'
She was like Olivia now. felt the
utter futility of attempting to reason
with woman who could become
child at will. She walked up the steps
and ont into the church vestibule.
Then before the outer door she spoke
with decision.
I'VE part here. II you please, And
I 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
serve you. ] advise you not to think
very much about ito the exclusion
Of more important business,-Squire
Glenarm,"
She lifted the lantern to turn out it's
light, and It made glory Of her face.
but she paused and held 1t 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 TO
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 bend in the path hid
her swiftmoving figure.
Down through the passage I 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 II In the after.
noon. and then went back to the
library. freshened the fire and brooded
before 1t until Bates came to relieve
me at dawn.