The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1913-03-01

and open. as 1 liver! The trio enter
ed the cellar door without ceremony.
THANK God. we're out Of the rain at
leasty"
1t was not until they had explored
the basement and found it utterly
without signs Of human occupancy
that the truth Of the situation began
to dawn upon them. Barminster's
face was white. and his voice shook Is
he ventured the horrid speculation:
1.-The good Lord save us--it's that
demmed haunted house Pen was talk
ing aboutv'
But ze Hghts?" queried the count.
"Ghosts!'
Lets get out of this place." said
Lord Bazelhurst. moving toward the
door. Its that beastly Renwood
house. They say he comes back and
murders her every night or So"
Mon Dieu!'
penelope isn't here. Let's move on"
agreed the duke readily. But even
fear of the supernatural was not
strong enough to drive them out into
the binding storm. II say, look ahead.
there's Shaw's placer
Peering through the door they saw
for the first time the many lights in
Shaw's windows. scarce a quarter of
a mile away. For a long time they
stood and gazed at the distant win
dows. Dejectedly they sat down, backs
to the wall and waited for the storm
to spend its fury. Wet. cold and tired,
they finally dozed. 1t was Lord Cecil
who first saw the signs of dawn. The
rain storm had come to a mysterious
end. but heavy fog in its stead loom
ed up. He aroused his companions
and with many groans Of anguish they
prepared to venture forth into the
white wall beyond.
Just as they were taking a last look
about the wretched cellar something
happened that would have brought ter
ror to the stoutest heart. A wild, ap-
pal1ing shrek came from somewhere
above, the cry Of a mortal soul in
agony.
The next instant three human forms
shot through the narrow door and out
into the fog. hair on end. eyes bullying.
but sightless: legs travelling like the
wind and as purposeless. It mattered
not that the way was hidden; it mat
tered less that weeds. brush and
stumps lurked in ambush for unwary
feet. They fed into the foggy dan
gers without thought Of what lay
before them. only Of what stalked be-
hind them.
Upstairs Randolph Shaw lay back
against the wall and shook with laugh
ter. Penelope's convulsed face was
glued to the kitchen window. her eyes
peering into the fog beyond. Shadowy
figures leaped into the white mantle;
the crash Of brush came back to her
ears, and then, like the barking of
dog, there arose from the mystic gray
the fast diminishing cry:
Help! Help! Help!' Growing
fainter and sharper. the cry at last
was lost in the phantom desert.
They stood at the window and
watched the fog lift, gray and forbid
ding, until the trees and road were
discernible Then arm in arm they
set forth across the wet way toward
Shaw's cottage.
Poor Cecil!' she sighed. 1T was
cruel Of YOU" In the roadway they
found a hat which she at once identi-
fed as the counts. Farther on there
was a carriage lamp and later a mack
intosh. which had been cast aside as
an impeachment. "Oh, it was cruelw
She smiled, however. in retrospection.
If l were only sure that nothing
serious had happened to Cecil" she
murmured anxiously.
I'm sorry, dear, for that screech of
mine," he apologized.
Suddenly he started and gazed In.
tently in the direction Of the haunted
house. A mana sorry fgure-was
slowly. painfully approaching from tho
edge Of the wood scarce a hundred
yards away. In his hand he carried a
stick to which was attached a white
cloth-doubtless handkerchief. He
was hatless and limped perceptibly.
TITS Cecil!" whispered Penelope in
horror struck tones. Good heaven.
Randolph, 60 to him! He is hurt"
1t was Lord Bazelhurst. AS Shaw
hurried down the drive to meet him, no
thought of the feud in mind, two be-
tngs even more hopelessly dilapidated
ventured from the wood and hobbled
up behind the truce bearer, who had
now paused to lift bis shoulders into
position Of dignity and defiance.
Shaw's heart was touched. The Spec
tacle was enough to melt the prejudice
of any adversary. Lord Cecil's knees
trembled. His hand shook as If in a
chill. Mud covered, water soaked and
bruised, their clothes rent in many
places. their hats gone and their hair
matted. their legs wabbly. the trio GER
tainly inspired pity, not mirth nor
scorn.
:; Zone moment, sir" called his lord
ship. with a feeble attempt at severity.
His voice was hoarse and shaky. I'VE
do not come as friends, dem you. IL
my sister here?"
"She is. Lord Bazelhurst. Wen talk