St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-07-06

John Steele rose with an effort. No,
there was nothing more he required
except rest! Which room would he
prefer, he was asked when he found
himself on the upper landing. The
man had put his things in a front
chamber, but the back one was larger.
John Steele forced himself to consider.
He even inspected both of the rooms.
That on the front floor had one win
dow facing the row; the second cham
Der looked out over a rear wall sep
arating the vegetable garden Of Rose
mary Villa from the shrub adorned
confines of a place which fronted on
the next street. The visitor decided
on the former chamber. He carefully
closed the blinds and drew across the
window the dark, heavy curtains. This
would answer very well. Excellent
accommodations for a man whose
own chambers in the city were now in
the hands of renovators-the painters,
the paperhangers, the plumbers. And
the back room? He paused as If
considering the servants assumption
of his purpose in coming hither. He
might as we'll let the fellow think.
No one must know where he was
under any circumstances. His voice
sounded almost jocular, at singular
variance with the heaviness, the weari-
ness of his face. He, the old servant.
had been a soldier, knew how to full
fill, then, request or an order. Some
thing crinkled in the speakers hand,
passed to the other, who was now
busying himself with the bath. The
mans moist fingers did not hesitate
to close on the note.
Half an hour later John Steele, clad
in his dressing gown, sat alone near
the fire in his room. Every sound had
ceased save at intervals a low creak-
ing of old timber.
John Steele smiled grimly, but soon
his thoughts seemed floating off be-
yond control, and, rising suddenly, he
threw himself on the bed.
The afternoon was well advanced
when, as half through dream, John
Steele heard the rude jingling of a
bell. The loud and emphatic closing
of the front gate served yet more
speedily to arouse him. Hastily he
sat up. His head buzzed from a long
needed sleep that had been oversound.
$50 it's the meter man you are?'
John Steele recognized the fnquiring
voice as that of the caretaker. Sure,
you're new one from the last that
was here"
Yes: we change beats occasionally"
was the careless answer. John Steele
sprang from his bed and crept very
softly toward the hall. "a new man.
He heard them talking again after
few minutes. He remained listening
at his door, now slightly ajar.
There must be a leak somewhere
from the quantity you've burned. I'll
have look around: might save your
master few shillings."
John Steele locked his door. The
'meter man crossed the upper hall
and stepped. one after the other, into
the several rooms. Having apparent
ly made there the necessary examina-
ton. he walked over and tried the
door of John Steele's room.
This rooms occupied by a visitor"
interposed the servant. land he's asleep
now. He wouldn't thank you for the
disturbing of his repose.'
"All right. I'll not wake him. Don't
find the leak l was looking for. Will
drop in again.
John Steele, pushing back the blinds
a little. looked out of his room.a The
man who had reached the front of the
place glanced back. His gaze at that
instant, meeting the others, seemed to
betray a momentary eagerness. Quick
" Steele turned away. No doubt now
fingered in his mind as to the purpose
of the visit.