The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-11-16

J uCCOLuplloh 1t OCIiCi'
81 see-I see" muttered Mr. Baker
thoughtfully. II believe I'll take that
i g. 80 back to town, but first I'll pay
something down to bind the bargain,
and If you change your mind about
selling it I'll let you off. | 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 car that con-
tanned several yelled and goggled pas
sengers in the tonneau. Mr.. Baker
came down the path. accompanied by
n short. stout man with protuberant
blue eyes behind thick lensed specta-
cles Estella met them at the front
steps.
won't the lady come in?" she in
quired as she led the way into the
darkcncd 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 TOOL lie Is dn TN pert at b3pell
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.
DR. Gaming listened intently. never
once removing his bright eyes from
OF n ria AVhon Oh
had concluded he spoke brusquely.
IF you will accompany me to the
gate, Miss Brooks. | will dlspel the
shadow forever. Have no doubt, have
no fear, madam" he assured her as
Estella's brows were arched incredu-
lousy. Come with me to the gate,
and | will dispel the shadow he re.
peated in Il monotonous voice.
A dreamy look came into Estellas
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 Estela's face. DO you
see the shadow, Miss Brools?' he in
quired harshly.
Yes" she said evenly. 1T lies be
tween the two great chimneys. n large,
irregular blot on our roof. yet there is
nothing between that and the sun to
cast n shadow. not even passing
cloudr'
Now you do not see the shadow
because 1t has never been there. You
viii never see it again. There never
has been shadow on the house and
you will forget all about it and never
think of 1t when you awake" The
doctor repeated his hypnotic sugges-
tons with monotonous regularity un.
til Estela's eyes closed. They carried
her to a summer house near by and
placed her In a chair, and she eontin-
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 Estela 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 Il cant
recollect it sufficiently 10 tell YOU, but
it hung over me like n 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 it or sell it to Tom Baker, as
you please, dear. Tom is Aliens half
brother. and they are In business to.
gether in town. It will make n lovely
summer home for all of us no matter
which member of the family owns il
In the winter you shall come to us
Mr., Baker writes poems. too. sup.
pose" vennrcd Estela, glancing 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
poet by nature and has scrubbed lots
Of pretty verses. but as for making n.
living by 1t, he simply can't do II. |
hope you won't be shocked but he
and Tom are in the most romantic sort
Of business imaginable
what is that inquired Estella ca
gerly. for she discovered Il growing
interest in big Tom Baker.
wholesale paint and yarnish-there
Not much poetry in that. is there
At that moment DR.. Gaming va:
shaking his head vigorously Mt his
two companions. Not a doubt of It
my dear sirs Miss Rrooks' father was
n hyprotst. She has seen the shadow
merely through his powerful sugges
ton that 1t WIS there. 1t is dangerous
gift. especially If II Is badly used.
Allen Searle nodded grayely an(
then smiled as Tom Baker said. with
n proprietary gesture toward the un.
conscious Estella I'll watch her care.
fully you can depend upon me, doc.
tor" And then he had the grace to
blush. for he caught the glance of