, 1908-04-30
@Pe
THOUSAND CANDLES
BY MEREDITH

grandfAtner MUSE VI 10 JOIN these
scoundrels Arthur Pickering has hired
10 drive me out. I'm not going to bride
vou-I don't offer you a cent for your
help. but l won't have q traitor in the
house. and If you don't like me or NV
terms | want you to go and go now"
He Strengthened quickly,-his eyes
lighted and the color crept into his
face. | had never before e him an
pear so like a human being.
Mr.. Glenarm. you have been hard
on me; there have been times when
YOU have been most unjust"
Unjust. unfair-my God, what do
YOU expect me to take from you,
Haven't l known that you were in
league with Pickering? I'm not as
dull as | look, and after your interview
with Pickering in the chapel porch you
can't convice me that you we're faith
full to my interests at that time"
He started and gazed at me wonder.
ingly. | had had no intention of using
the chapel porch interview at this
time, but It leaped out of me uncon-
trollably.
II suppose, sir" he began brokenly.
that l can hardly persuade you that /
meant no wrong on that occasion"
You certainly can not,-and it's
safer for you not to try. But I'm will
Ing to let all that go as a reward for
FOUR work last night. Make your
choice now: stay here and stop your
spying or clear out within an hour"
He took a step toward me; the table
was between us and he drew quite
near but stood clear Of 1t, erect until
there was something soldierly and
commanding in his tall figure.
BY God. l will stand by you, John
Glenarm!" he said, and struck the
table smartly with his clinched hand.
He flushed instantly, and | felt the
blood mounting into my own face as
we sazed at each other.-he, Bates, the
servant, and l, his master! He had al
ways addressed me SO punctiliously
with the sir Of respect that his dec
laration Of fealty, spoken with SO sim
cers and vigorous an air of %independ-
ence, and with the bold emphasis of
the oath, that l stood %spellbound, star.
ing at him. The silence was broken
by Larry. who sprang forward and
grasped Bates hand.
Il, too, Bates" l said, feeling nv
heart leap with liking, ever with ad-
niration for the real manhood that
seemed to transfigure this hireling,-
this fellow whom | had charged with
Infamous conduct, this servant who
had cared for my needs in so humble
a sririt of subsection.
The KIN 'ci"r Oh the front de-" ~pr.
I'd peremptorily. and Bates turned
without another word, and admitted
stoddard, who came In hurriedly.
Merry Christnas!" he called heart
n In tones hardly with the
troubled look on his face. l introduced
hin to Larry and asked him to sit
down.
Pray excuse our disorder.-ws
didn't do 1t for fun; II was n Of
Santa Claus tricks.
He stared about wonderingiy.
so you caught 1t. too, did your
ITO be sure. You don't mean to say
that they raided the ohapel?"
That's exactly what l mean to say.
When / went into the church for my
early service / found that some one
had ripped eli the wainscoting In .
half q dozen places and even pried up
the altar. It's the most outrageous
thing I we knew. You've heard Of
the %proverbial poverty Of the church
mouse.-what do you suppose anybody
could want to raid a simple little coun-
try chapel for? And more curious yet,
the church plate was untouched.
though the closet where it's kept was
upset, as though the m~iscreants had
looked there for something they didn't
ind"
stoddard was greatly disturbed. and
with growing Indignation.
We drew together for a council of
war. Here was an opportunity to on.
list 4 new recruit on my side; and
after I had told my story fully and con.
Quoted Larry and Stoddard through
the tunnel, the better to prove that l
was not romancing, they declared he'll
purpose to stand by me to the end. no
matter what that conclusion might be.
The next morning Bates placed a
letter postmarked Cincinnati at my
plate. I opened and read 1t aloud to
Larry;
On Board the Heloise.
December Is, 1891.
John Glenarm, ESQ,
Glsnarm House.
A~nnandals. Wabana Co.. Indiana:
Dear sir-I have Just learned from
what I believe to be a trustworthy
source that you have already violated
the terms Of tha armament under which
You entered into residence on the prop
erty near Annandale. known as Glenarm
House, The provisions Of the Will OF
John Marshall alenarm are plain ana
ahsquivocal. as ysu undoubtedly under
stood when YOU aocaptad them. and your