The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-02-19

ais sleeve before looking at any or us.
Then his eyes fell upon me.
Good morning. Jack" he said: and
then gazed with mild curiosity about
the room.
God help u.s."
It was Morgan, think, who screamed
these words as he bolted for the
broken door, but Stoddard caught and
held him.
Thank God, you're here, STR" broke
forth in Bates sepulchral voice
1t seemed to me that I saw all that
happened with a weird. unnatural dis
tinctness, as one sees, before a storm,
vivid outlines of far headlands that the
usual light of day fails to disclose
was myself dazed and spellbound:
but do not like to think, even now. of
the effect of my grandfather's appear
ance on Arthur Pickering; of the
shock that seemed verify to break him
In two, SO that he staggered, then col
lapsed, his head falling as though to
strike his knees. Larry caught him by
the collar and dragged him to a seat,
where he huddled, his twitching hands
at his throat.
Gentlemen" said my grandfather,
you seem to have been enjoying your
selves. Who is this person ?"
He pointed with his stick to 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 inconven-
fence? Didn't you know that that
chandelier was likely to kill him?
That thing cost a thousand dollars.
Gentlemen, you are expensive visitors.
All. Morgan,-and Ferguson, too!
Well, well! I thought better of both
Of you. Good morning. Stoddard! A
little work for the church militant!
And this gentleman ?"-he indicated
Larry, who was, for once in his life.
without anything to say.
MIR. Donovan,-a friend Of the
house" explained Bates.
Pleased. I'm sure" said the old gen
tleman. Glad the house has a friend.
1t seems to have had enemies enough"
he added, and eyed the wreck of the
room ruefully. The good humor in his
face treasured me; but still I stood in
tongue-tied wonder, staring at him.
And Plckeringi" John Marshall
Glenarn's voice broke with a quiet
mirth that remembered as the pre-
face usually Of something unpleasant.
We'll, Arthur, I'm glad to find you on
guard, defending the interests Of my
estate. At the risk Of your life, too!
Bates!"
Yes, Mr. Glenarm."
You ought to have called me earlier. 4
1 really priced that chandelier i'm
mensely. And this furniture wasn't
so bad!"
His tone changed. abruptly. He
pointed to the sheriff's deputies one
after the other with his stick. There
was, I remembered. always something
insinuating, disagreeable and final
about my grandfather's staff.
Clear Quit" he commanded. Bates. /
see these fellows through the wall. |
Mr.. Sheriff, If l were you I'd be very
careful. indeed, what said Of this af-
fair I'm a dead man come to life
again, and I know a great deal that /
didn't know before I died. Nothing. /
gentlemen, fits a man for life like a
temporary absence from this cheerful /
and pleasant world. 1 recommend you
to 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 to his feet Morgan and /
the rest Of the foe were crawling and /
away, muttering. as though /
imploring the aid of heaven against an
evil spirit
Pickering sat silent, not sure wheth-
er he saw a ghost or real flesh and /
blood and Larry kept close to him, +.
cutting off his retreat. I think we all
experienced that bewfldered feeling of +
children who are 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 it
against a shelf for my more 1eIsurely +
study of its phrases. The old gentle /
man pulled out his glasses and stood /
with his hands behind his back. read +
ing. When he finished he walked to
where I stood.
jack" he said, Jack. my boy!"
His voice shook and his hands trem- /
bled as he laid them on my shoulders. I
Marian, he turned, seeking her, but /
the girl had vanished. Just as we'll" +
he said. This room is hardly an edi-
tying sight for a woman" heard, for +
an instant, q light hurried step in the /