The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1911-10-26
CHAPTER I.

on lower Broadway a trifle after four
presently ensconced himself in a cor
ner seat OF Subway express and
opened before him a damp afternoon
paper with an eye for the market
reports) was surprised, when the
train crashed heavily into the Four.
teenth Street stationd to find himself
afoot and making for the door: this
although his intention had been to
alight at Grand Central Thus It may
be, that trickster in us ALL which we
are accustomed vaguely to denomi-
nate the subconscious mind. directs
our actions to an end Dredestined
Surprised he hesitated: and for
that was rewarded by having his heels
trodden by the passenger behind This
decided him, absurdly enough. and he
went on and out. solacing himself
with muttered something, hardly
definite about stroll beneflting him.
alighted at Twenty-third Street,
climbed the stairs and proceeded
brlskly west, buffeted by rowdy
wind
Striking dlagonally across Madison
Square Park. past the drearily letting
fountain and between arrays of empty
benches scarcely beggarly (since that
class had deserted them for warmer
lounging places he turned northward
on Fifth Avenue, threading the early
evening throngs with a spring of i'm.
patience In his stride to distance cas-.
ual competition; and received upon
mind still impressionable. for all that
II had ample food for meditation and
nursed private grievance. a variety
OF pleasurable suggestions.
Dusk the early violet dusk Of late
November, brooded over the city.
blurring It's harsh contours. subduing
Its too blatant youth. lending an Il.
lusion resembling the dim enchant.
ment Of antiquity.
Near Twenty.nlnth Street he check.
ed sharply and stood briefly debating
something suggested by sight OF
shop window we'll known to him:
ut might save time: one may as
well be sure"
Turning. he descended a pair OF
stone steps and crossed tagged
area TO a door set at one side OF
window dressed with a confusion OF
odd, enticing things: a display that
tempted the eye with the colors of the
rainbow faintlng under weight OF
years and dust. bell tinkled over
head as he opened and shut the door,
letting himself into deep and mar
row room crowded with a heterogen
eous assemblage of objects that CLAM.
mered with weird splendor In a semi.
gloom made visible by half dozen
electric bulbs generously spaced In
the rear. beyond partitioning screen
shone warmer light.
For the moment he saw no one Ad.
vancing few PAGES he halted, wait
ing.
From behind the screen. at the back
OF the shop. the proprietor appeared
soft stepping, smiling to greet a good
customer of discerning taste. The lat
ter went to meet him with a pleasant
air Of liking.
Good evening, Mr.. Miller"
Good evening. Mr.. Coast Some
thing can show you this evening""
The telephone, II you please"
Coast laughed a little and was an.
swered cheerfully
Certainly This way"
He was conducted behind the
screen, where beneath strong light.
an assistant at jewelers. bench sat
laboriously occupied with some task
OF delicate artiflce. He looked up as
Coast entered. with a greeting cordi.
ally returned. Coast went directly to
the telephone. wall instrument, un-
hooked the receiver and detailed
number to Central. The proprietor
disappeared into an adjoining room.
An instant later Coast spoke again.
That you, Soames? This
Is Mr. Coast Is Miss Katherine at
homey Then will you find
out please. Ask her II she has time
10 see me for few moments before
N'hheI' very we'll
There was lengthening pause, dur.
ing which the antique dealer silently
returned, his genial eye alternating
between Coast and crystal decanter
he had fetched.
Yes, Central. waiting" Coast put
MS hand over the transmtter and
wagged reproving head Going to
Try to poison me- Mlller?"
Just a drop of old brandy, MIR.
Soast--very old, from my home in
France"
coast nodded, recalled to the tee-
phone Hello, Soames. Very
Wen Tell her called, please. i
NO no message, thank you Goodby."
AS he hung up the receiver, warn.
,ns naturalization sounded at the
'front.' door Miller, busy with glasses.
oohed TO his assistant. See who that
marley he said. The assistant
s"ppeu from his seat, switched on
e ught In the front of the shop
"uu vanished round the screen.
as ne did SO. Coast heard the rum.
Vi a mans voice. followed by
loud e" 'noue"' 'oo
hon M'i,er was Offering him a glass. He
t"eu' took 1t and held 1t to his lips
ins :. moment without tasting. inhal.
s,,, Tue mellow bouquet OF the LIQUOR.
critically. ' ""' ''pp''
"Tho -.
n,. "e very best, Mr. Coast. There's
'1e .r IKE 1t out of France"