The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1911-12-28

commence, Will you ten LIE "uelHei
you would change your mind about
selling the farm If the shadow were
removed?" He bent forward and
scanned her face With eager eyes.
If there was 90 shadow there-and
If Earl.aiu rou.d come back sonIt'
times-it we could I've reconciled-~l
would be the Eappiast wonah in the
world. Nr. Baker" she cried. with
tears In her eyes. 'Wistaria farm
has always been my home-aiways
would be If II were not for the
shadow. Besides. you see my father
disinherited Barbara. and want to
give her her dghtful share OF his es-
tate. If 1t Is turned into money | can
accomplish it better
II see-I see." muttered Mr.. Baker
thoughtfully. Il believe III take that
$50 back to town. but first I'll pay
something down to 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 a friend with
me-"
The next day he came down from
the city in large touring car that con-
tained several yelled and goggled pas
sengers In the tonneau. Mr.. Baker
came down the path. accompanied by
short, stout man with protuherant
blue eyes behind thick lensed specta'
cles. Estella met them at the front
steps.
won't the lady come in?" she in,
ouired as she led the way into the
darkened parlor and threw open the
blinds.
"Not now, thank you. Miss Brooks.
Allow me to present my friend DR..
Gaming. Would you object to telling
the doctor the story Of the shadow on
your roof He Is an expert at e1pell-
Ing shadows Of that sort"
There was no resisting Thomas Bak-
er's winning smile, and 80 hesitaingly
Estella related the story Of her sisters
fight and how her father had shown
her the shadow on the roof.
DR.. Gaming listened intently. never
once removing his bright eyes from
Estella'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" he assured her as
Estella's brows were arched incredu-
lously. Come with me to the gate.
and will dispel the shadow" he re-
peated In a monotonous voice.
A dreamy look came into Estella's
eyes, and 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.
DR.. Gaming lifted his hands impress
sively before Estella's face. do you
see the shadow. Miss Brooks?" he in
Quired harshly.
.Yes." she said evenly. 1T lies be-
tween the two great chimneys, a large,
irregular blot on our roof. yet there Is
nothing between that and the sun to
cast q shadow. not even q passing
cloudw
Now you do not see the shadow
because It has never been there. You
will never see It again There never
has been a shadow on the house and
you will forget all about 1t and never
think Of 1t when you awake" The
doctor repeated his hypnotic sugges-
tons with monotonous regularity un-
til Estella's 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 a tall.
slight, intellectual looking man. The
woman fell on her knees beside Es-
tella and wept bitterly.
When Estena awoke she was alone
with her sister Barbara and Allen
Searle. "I've had such terrible
dream. Barbara" she said after the
delight Of greeting was over. II can't
recollect 1t sufficiently to tell you, but
It hung over me like black cloud.
but the cloud has departed
Forever, dear Estella." whispered
Barbara al she placed her arms
around her dased sister.
Il came very near selling the place.
Barbara. dear. don't know what to
do about It." said Estella. puzzled.
Keep 1t or sell It to Tom Baker. as
you please. dear. Tom IL Aliens half
brother. and they are In business to-
gether In town II will make lovely
summer home for an Of rs no matter
which member Of the family OWLS It
In the winter you shall come to us"
"Mr. Baker writes poems. too. sup
pose" ventured Estella. glancing with
interest at the tallest Of the three
men standing In little group ouEside
the arbor.
Barbara uttered her old light heart
ed iaugh- "Dear me, no! Allen is