Democratic messenger., 1911-11-25

you would change your mind about
selling the farm IL the shadow were
removedf" lie bent forward and
scanned her face with eager eyes.
"If there was no shadow there-and
II Barbara could come back some
times-lf we could be rcconciled-l
would be the happicst woman IN the
world, Mr. Baker!' she cried. with
tears In her eyes. 'Wistaria farm
has always been my home-always
would be II Il were not for the
shadow. Besides. pu see my father
disInherited Barbara. and ! want to
give her her rightful share of his es-
tate. II 1t is turned Into money can
accomplish 1t better"
~ see--I sec." muttered Mr. Baker
thoughtfully. Il believe I'll take that
$3.50 back TO town. but first Ill pay
something down 10 bind the bargain.
and II you change your mind about
selling 1t I'll let you of ! shall re-
turn tomorrow, and, with your per-
mission. will bring friend with
me-"
The next day he came down from
the city In large touring ear that con-
tanned several yelled and goggled pas
sengers in the tonneau Mr.. Baker
came down the path. accompanied by
short, stout man with prctuberant
blue eyes behind thick lensed specta-
cles. Estella met them at the front
| steps.
won't the lady come inf' she in.
quired as she led the way into the
darkcned parlor and threw open the
blinds.
Not now. thank you. Miss Brooks.
Allow me to present my friend DIR.
Gaming Would you object TO telling
the doctor the story OF the shadow on
your roof? lie Is an expert ut expell-
Ing shadows OF that sort"
There was no resisting Thomas Bak-
er's winning smile. and so hesitatingly
Estella related the story of her sisters
flight and how her father had shown
her the shadow on the roof.
DIR. Gaming listened intently. never
once removing his bright eyes from
Estela's mild brown orbs. When she
had concluded he spoke brusquely.
IF you will accompany me TO the
gate, Miss Brooks. will dispel the
shadow forever. Have no doubt. have
no fear. madam" lie assured her as
Estela's brows were arched incredu-
lousy. "Come with me to the gate,
and will dispel the shadow" he re-
peated In n monotonous voice.
A dreamy look came into Estella's
eyes. aud In utter silence she arose
and preceded the two men out of the
house and down the path to the gate.
The three turned and faced the
house. The summer sunshine lay warm
on the red roof. and there was no
shadow save the foreshortened shad-
ows of the two great chimneys.
DIR. Gaming lifted his hands impress
sively before Estela's face. "Do you
see the shadow. Miss Brooks:" he in
quired harshly.
"Yes." she said evenly. 1T lies be-
tween the two great chmneys. large,
| irregular blot on our roof, yet there Ia
nothing between that and the sun TO
cast shadow. not even a passing
| cloud"
"Now you do not see the shadow
because II has never been there. You
| will never see II ngain There never
| has been u shadow on the house and
| you will forget all about 1t and never
think OF II when you awake" The
doctor repeated his hypnotic sugges-
tions with monotonous regularity un-
| III Estellas eyes closed. They carried
| her TO summer house near by and
placed her in a chair. and she contin-
ued In the hypnotic sleep until the
motor returned and the yelled lady
alighted and came down to the sum
mer house accompanied by n tall
slight, intellectual looking man. The
woman fell on her knees beside Es-
tella and wept bitterly
When r,stella awoke she was alone
with her sister Barbara and Allen
Seare i've had such II terrible
dream. Barbara" she said after the
delight of greeting was over. Il can't
recolleci II sufficiently TO tell YOU. but
It hung over me like II black cloud.
but the cloud has departed"
Forever. dear Estella." whispered
| Barbara as she placed her arms
around her dazed sister
II came very near selling the place.
Barbara. dear. | don't know what TO
do about It," said Estella. puzzled.
keep II or sell II 10 Tom Baker. ms
you please. dear Tom Is Aleu's half
brother. and they are in business TO-
gether In town. II will make n lovely
summer home for all of us no matter
which member Of the family owns IT.
In the winter you shall come to MS
"Mr. Baker writes poems. too sup
pose" ventured Estella. glanclng with
interest at the tallest Of the three
men standing in a little group outside
the arbor.
Barbara uttered her old light heart
ed laugh. Dear me. no. Allen is a
uaat hv notura aud has srrihblpd lOta