The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1908-05-22
THE HOUSE OF
A THOUSAND
CANDLES
BY MEREDITH NICHOLSON
Auihsf d "TnE MAIN CHANCE" zLIbA
nANta0h." &c.

said Batcs lie threw down the re
yolyor he held In his hand and leaned
upon the edge OF the long table that
lay ON its side, his gaze still bent on
Pickering. who stood with his over
coat buttoncd close. his derby hat on
the floor beside him. where Il had
fallen as bates hauled him into the
room
Tho sound Of measured step. Of
some one walking. OF a careful foot
on a stairway. was quite distinct. ]
even remarked the slight stumble that
I had noticed before
We were all 30 intent on those STEPS
IN tho wall that We were on guard. ]
heard Bates yell warningly. and Larry
and Stoddsrd rushed for PICKERING
He had drawn a revolver from his
oycrcoat pocket aud was about 10 fro
at me when Stoddard sent the weapon
nylng through the air.
only a moment now, gentlemen y
said Bates. an odd smile on his face
lie was looking past me toward the
right end OF the fireplace There
seemed to be In the air fcelIng OF
something impending Even Morgan
and his men. halfcrouchlng. ready for
a rush at me. hcsitatcd. and Pickering
glanced neryously from one 90 the
other Of us II was the calm before
the storm; In moment We should De
AZ each others thruats for the ilnal
struggle. and yet We waited. In the
wall I heard stlll the sound Of steps
| They were clear TO all Of Us now. We
stood there for what seemed an otcr.
nlty-I suppose the time was really
not more than 30 scconds-inort, wait.
ing. while | felt that something must
happen. the silence. the waiting, were
mtolerable graspod my pistol and
bent low for a spring at Morgan; and
every man In tho room was INSTANTLY
on tho alert.
All but Bates. He remained rigid
that curious smile on his bloodsmeared
face. his eyes bent toward the end Of
the great fireplace back Of me-
That look on his face held, arrested
numbed NE; 1 followed H. ! forgd
Morgan: a tacit truce held us an 49,.
l stopped back TIL my eyes fastened
on tho broad panelod chimney. breast
at tho right OF the hearth. and II was
there now that the sound OF footIieps
in tho wall was heard again: thea II
ceased utterly. the long panel opened
slowly. oreaking slightly upon It's
hinges. then down into the nom
stepped Marian DeyereuH. She wore
the dark gown In which l had seen
her last. and a cloak was drawn over
her shoulders.
She laughed as her eyes swept the
room.
"Ah. gentlemen" she said. shaking
her head. as she Viewed our disorder
what wretched housekeepora you
aro!"
Steps were again heard In the wall
and she turned 10 tho panel held II
open with ono hand and put out the
other. waiting for some ons who fol
lowed her.
Then down into the room stepped
my grandfather. John Marshall Glen
arml His stan. his cloak, the silk hat
above his shrowd face. and his sharp
black eyes were unmlstakable. lie
drew silk handkerchief from the
skirts Of his frock coat, with charac
terlstic flourish that remembered
well. and brushed bit OF dust from
his sleeve before looking IT any Of u.s.
Thon his eyes fell upon me,
Good morning. Jack" no said; and
then gazed with mild curiosity about
the room.
God help usl"
II was Morgan. think. who screamed
these words as he bolted for tho
broken door. but stoddard caught and
held hun.
Thank God. you're here. sirl" broke
forth In Bates sepulchral voice
II seemed to me that saw all that
happened with n weird. unnatural dis
tinctness, as one sees, before a storm
vivid outlines OF far heRdlands that the
usual light OF day fails TO disclose
was myself dazed and spellbound;
but do not like 10 think. even now. Of
the effect OF my grandiathers appear
Rnce on Arthur Pickering; OF Tho
shock that seemed verify TO break him
In two, so that he staggered, then col
lapsed, his head falling as though tC
strike his knees, Larry caught him by
the collar and dragged him to a seat
whore he huddled, his twitching hands
at his throat
Gentlemen" said my grandfather
you seem TO have been enjoying your
selves, Who Is this person3"
He pointed with his stick 10 th'
sheriff. who was endeayorlng 10 crhw
out from under the mass OF broker
crystals.
That, sir, Is the sheriff." answered
Bates
"A very dlsordorly man. I must say
Jack, what have you been doing .,
cause the sheriff 80 much inconyen
ience7 Didn't you know that thai
chandelier was likely TO KIN him
That thing cost n thousand dollars
Gentlemen, you are expensive visitors
All, Morgan,-and Ferguson. too
Well, we'll ! thought better OF both
Of you, Good morning, stoddard!