The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-09-26

diffused from the roof, soft, steady.
golden glow such as might be produced
by a skylight In the ceiling OF bril-
liant!y lighted room under the roof.
swung myself into the branches or
huge oak tree that overhung the fiat
roof and was soon creeping on hands
and knees over the tin covering the
edges Beyond that was an expanse
Of sash such as Is used In greenhouses
occupying almost the entire roof
Another freakish New Yorker l
muttered to myself as hung over the
edge OF the glass roof and peered
down into the lighted space.
Beneath me was large room fur-
nished as bedroom and a study.
There were large table heaped with
books and papers, desk and com.
Portable chairs. The walls were lined
with bookcases filed with volumes
bound In uniform dark covering.
1t was workroom. the workroom OF
a student
The student was DR.. Ramercliff. He
was sitting at the desk absorbed In
writing. He had already filed sheet
after sheet of paper. all Of which were
scattered over desk and floor.
Suddenly he leaned back in his chair
and an agonized expression convulsed
his face He reached his hand to-
ward small vial. shook some pellets
into his mouth and dropped back In his
chair, one hand gripping his heart. His
eyes closed and be breathed heavily.
Was his seizure a heaven sent oppor-
tunity for me?
slipped back to my tree, gained
the piazza and found entrance through
a front window. l pried open the
wooden shutters, smashed the glass
with the butt Of my revolver. turned
the catch and raised the sash. AS ]
entered seemed to be smothered in
folds of heavy drapery. Kicking my
self clear. found myself in total dark
ness.
drew out my electric torch and
pressed the button. "Heavensr shud.
dered as realized my surroundings.
appeared to be in a mortuary chap
ell, for walls and ceiling were paneled
In black. the carpet was Of thick black
pile, the furniture of dead black luster-
less teakwood. cushions. draperies-
everything In that horrible room was
the same grewsOme black.
| opened the black enameled door
and entered black hall passed
through black library and black
dining room. and my nerves were ATTN
gle with horror.
The kitchen was a cheerful apart
ment compared to the others. for II
was slate gray.
Up the black painted stairs crept.
feeling strange depression stealing
over me. the unwholesome influence Of
the dreadful house: through black
upper hall To the nearest black paneled
door. There paused
What would find within this grew
some place where DR.. Ramercliff
plainly a lunatic. had taken his beau
dful bride. petted daughter of the mil
lionaire?
turned the handle and entered a
black boudolr.
Stretched on the couch. face down.
ward, her face buried in black sofa pill
lows. was slender form CARRIED In
black
Her hair was white as snow
turned the light upon her. and /
placed my hand on her arm. and she
screamed with terror.
go awayw she cried. "Oh. go
away"
"Mrs. Ramercliff." said-"Miss Hal.
sey-Bessie!'
At the last word she turned and lift
ed her beautiful white face to me. a
face wild with fear. Her black eyes
widened. and she gave one great glad
cry.
"Oh. take me to father" And then
she sank back unconscious.
did not stand upon my going from
that place. gathered the poor little
bride in my arms and carried her down
the stairs and out of that awful house
l was able to get team that would
take us to Oakdale, where | hired a
motorcar. and about midnight we drew
up to the Halsey residence, the white
haired bride with my handkerchief tied
over DeT lOVeiy locks, pdTDeu III DIdCh,
and l the young detective with my
first great case.
Mr.. Halsey was in his library. and
shall never forget his glad face when
restored his daughter to him.
remained long enough to hear her
story, and then left father and daugh
ter together. for | must journey once
more down to Woodruff and ascertain
II that insane bridegroom had sue
cumbed to the seizure l had witnessed
| from the roof.
He was dead when I reached the
black house, victim Of heart dis
| ease And so persisted brilliant
mind that was destroyed by its own
intensity.
Bessie's story was pitiable enough.
| Her husband bad taken her to the
black house. and as coolly and I'm
personally as he might have watched
the struggles Of butterfly impaled on
a pin he studied the effect of color on
the brain. In the dense black atmos-
phere Of the black house he calmly
watched the slow killing Of the beau
| tful girl. He had told her of his In