The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-07-06
CHAPTER III.
THE LOVERS STORY


paused as soon as we reached the
pavement. for look about me. w,
were evidently in the fashionable quar-.
ter Of the town. The street was wide
well kept and shaded by stately elms
The houses which stretched away on
either hand had that spaciousness, thai
air Of dignity and quiet, which be.
speaks wealth and leisure. Here wa,
no gaudy architecture, no fiamboyani
flourish Of the newly rich; rather thu
evidence Of families long settled IL
their present surroundings and Ions
accustomed to the luxuries of a cu
tured and generous existence.
But 1t was to the house directly be.
fore us that gave the closest scrutiny
1t was large one, two-storied. with
q wide veranda running across the en-.
tire front. 1t stood well back from thu
street, and was sheltered on each side
by magnificent trees. The grounds
seemed to be very extensive and were
beautifully kept. Along the pavement,
a curious crowd was lettering, kept In
motion by a policeman. but staring
at the house as though they expected
to read the solution of the mystery
in its inexpensive front.
Mr.. Royce nodded to the officer and
We passed through the gate. As we
went up the walk. noticed that the
blinds were closely drawn, as though
1t were a house Of mourning-and, in.
deed. dead hopes enough lay there
A maid admitted us. and when my
companion inquired for Mr.. Curtiss
led the way silently along the hall
In the dim light, could see the decora.
lions of palms and wreaths of smilax
relieved here and there by a mass Of
gorgeous bloom and through q door
to the right caught glimpse Of
many tables set ready for the luncheon
which was never to be eaten. There
was something ghostly about the de.
serted rooms-something chilling In
the thought Of this arrested gaiety
these hopes for happiness so rude,
shattered. 1t recalled that vision which
had so astonished poor Pip--the vision
Of Miss Havisham decked in her vel.
low wedding finery, sitting at her gid.
ed dressing table in the darkened room,
with the bride cake cobwebbed and
mouldy, and the chairs set ready fol-
the guests who were never to arrive
Only here, reflected, the clocks should
be stopped at noon, not at 20 minutes
to 9.
We turned into room which I saw
to be the library and man sprang up
as we entered.
"Royce!" he cried, and there was in
his tone such an agony of entreaty
that knew instantly who he was.
mo; no news, Burr" said our junior
But here's Mr.. Lester. and If any one
can suggest q solution Of this mystery
I'm sure he can. Lester. this is Burr
Curtiss."
AS I shook hands with him I told
myself that Mr.. Royce's description
had been we'll within the truth. could
join with him in saying that / had
never seen a handsomer man or a more
attractive one, though in his eyes, as
/ met them, misery and anxiety were
only too apparent.
1T was very kind of you to come
Mr.. Lester" he said.
mot at ALL" ! protested. II only
hope I can be of some service"
Royce has told you"
"Only the bare facts" said. I'D
like to have all the details Of the story
If you'll be so kind as to give me
them"
Certainly" he assented instantly as
we sat down. That's what l wish to
dol know how important details are
Continued Next Week.,