The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-08-25
By Earle Ashley Wa1cott
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ~

On the avenue that along it's whole length had
presented only dark windows and closed doors,
here mansion lighted as for festival, the
windows the lower front blazing the doors
thrown open wide to show rich hangings and fur-
nishings in hall and parlors. Yet there was some
quality about it that contradicted its amusement
of festivity 1t not alone that in all the Wis
ible about it there no sign OF life, no
sound of occupancy Some subtle irradiation
from it to him that something mex
plicable menacing, tragic lay behind it's harlng
lights and open portals 1t appealed to him as
house of interrupted entertainment from which
guests hosts and servants had fled in sudden
horror
Rodman gazed at the house with deepening curl
osty. To whom did it belong? He should know,
and yet the memory eluded him. There was no
clue to be got through recollection. Was it his
duty to investigate to try to rouse some stir OF
life within those bankly lighted halls? Or should
he go his way in the trust that the master of the
house would prosaically come to lock the door,
and the servants eNtingush the lights, and all be
we'll? A sudden of humiliation came upon
him that his nerves should play him a trick. Do
houses silently cry out their warnings of trag-
edy? Yet there fear in his heart and in
shame of this fear he gathered himself together
and put foot on the step to summon what lille
might lie behind those open doors.
But before he had advanced an inch he drew
back with start at the sound OF voice by his
side. 1t the soft, pleading, agitated voice OF
woman, and it stirred his heart with strange, IN
defnable emotions.
You look like gentleman said the voice.
Can trust you to protect me?
HE turned swiftly at the sound, and on the in
- slant looking into the eyes of girl who
stepped from the shadow of the stone gatepoSt at
the foot of the steps and faced him under the
blaze of light. His eye noted that she was young,
scarce twenty-one His taste told him that
she was beautiful; above the medium height, with
we'll filled frame, snuous with the grace OF
young oness. Her face oval and its lines
gave promise of a certain piquancy and dash,
overshadowed now she looked appeangly into
his eyes, by fear horror. She was CARRIED as
one who from place of entertainment, and
like the mansion before which she stood, told 81
lenty of wealth and taste behind her. From the
rich cloak that loosely thrown back, revealed the
shimmering evening dress beneath to the hat that
crowned her soft brown hair, she was the daugh-
ter of luxury; yet pleading instead of pride
expressed in her attitude, and her feminine charm
touched him with almost the distinctness OF
perfume.
Rodman's hat was off the instant, and his
cigar thrown into the street.
Il shall be happy to serve you,' he replied.
The girl looked searchingly into his eyes. AS
she hesitated he repeated his offer in other words
and futter of unwonted emotions within him
put deeper earnestness into his words. The
verdict from her scrutiny was in his favor.
please into the house with me-" she said
with shudder. Something dreadful has hap
pened." Her voice was low, and gasp of terror
choked the last word
"What is t?" he asked, looking in her face to
interpret the warnings that lay in the unconscious
vibrations of her voice.
81 don't know Something dreadful Her
voice choked again. Gomez And taking his arm
she led him up the marble steps, through the open
door and into the brilliantly lighted hall.
For instant she paused, and Rodman felt the
hand on his arm trembe while her color came and
went. Then with effort her resolution was in
command.
"It's-t's the floor above" she said and led
him up the wide stairs to the landing.
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