Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1914-09-02


whip that they used to say he slept
with. They've got 'em hung on the
walls now for ornyments. Ornyments.
If they'd seen 'em as I've seen 'em,
they'd sink the dummed things in
hundred fathom O. clean sea-"
Sailor Smith was cabin boy on one
Of the old Hogg fleet one voyage" ex-
planned Elder bennett
God forgive me for itr' said the old
man. There they hang. and with 'em
the chains and"-
isn't that lamp finished YETI" de-
manded Kent. turning sharply upon
Elder bennett.
Having paid for it, with something
extra for his curtness. he led the sea.
man out Of the place.
"You were going to say and hand
cuffs weren't your. he inquired.
"Why. yes. What Of thatT asked
the veteran. puzzled. Suddenly he
brought his hand down with a slap on
his thigh. Where was my wits?' he
cried. Them irons On the dead Won.
ans wrist! l knew I'd seen their like
before! Slave manacles! They must
"a come from Hoggs havenr'
Every likely. But that suspicion had
better be kept quiet at present"
AYE. aye. sir" agreed the other.
more devilment from the old haven?
A bad house-a rotten bad housev'
"Yet I've a pressing desire to take
look at it." said Chester Kent musing-
ly. Going back to Annalaka. Mr..
Smith? I'll walk with you as far as
the road to Mr.. Sedgwick's"
Freed of the veterans company at
the turn of the road. Kent sat down
and took his ear in hand to think.
Miss Dorrance," he unused. MARIO
RE Dorrance. What simpler twist for
a nickname than to transform that
into Marjorie Daw? Poor Sedgwickr'
At the Nook he found the object of
his commiseration mournfully striving
to piece together. as in a mosaic. the
shattered remnants Of his work. Sedg-
wick frightened at his friends ap-
proach.
For heavens sake, come out and do
me couple of sets Of tennis!" he be-
sought. "I'm no sport for you. know,
particularly as my nerves are jumpy.
but I need the work.
Sorry, my boy said Kent. but
I've got to make a more or less polite
cav. People named Blair. Ever know
emp
used to know a Wi1frid Blair in
Paris" said the artist indifferently.
what kind of a person was hep
can agreeable enough little beast.
but rounder of the worst sort. Is he
the man you're going to see?"
mo such luck" said Chester Kent.
ST never expect to see Wilfrid Blair.
Probably I shan't even be invited to
his funeral"
ooh! Is he dead?"
"His death is officially expected any
day"
With which words Kent stepped out
and into his waiting car
After departing from the Nook
Kent's car rolled along beside Sunday
mans creek sedately enough until it
approached the wide bend, where it
INDUCED in bit of pathfinding across
the country, and eventually crept into
hid. Its occupant emerged and went
forward afoot until he came in view
IF Hedgerow house. At the turn Of
the stream he leaped fence and made
his way to group of willows beneath
which the earth was ridged with little
mounds. Professor Chester Kent was
trespassing. He was invading the ter
ritory of the dead.
From the seclusiOn of the graveyard
amid the willows a fair view was af-
iorded Of Hedgerow house. Grim as
was the repute given it, it presented
TO the intruder an aspect of homely
hospitable sweetness and, quaintness.
Tall hOllyhocks lifted their flowers to
smile in at the old fashioned windows.
Here and there on the we'll kept lawn
peOnies glOwed. crimson and white. A
great, clambering rose tree had thrown
its arms around the square porch,
sOftenfng the uncomprOmiSing angles
into curves Of LEAKAGE and bloom.
Along the paths pansies laughed at
the sun, and mignonette scattered it's
scented summons to bee and butter
fly. The place was a loved place; so
much Kent felt with sureness Of in
stinct. No home blooms except by love.
But the house was dead. Its eyes
were closed. Silence held it. The gar
den buzzed and f1ickered with vivid
multicolored life. but there was no
stir from the habitation Of man. Had
its occupants deserted it?
From the far side Of the mansion
came the sound Of a door opening and
closing again. Moving quickly along
the sumac fringed course Of the creek.
Kent made a detour which gave him
view of a side entrance and had bare
~ time to efface himself in the shrub
berry when a light wagon. with a spir-
tied horse between the shafts, turned
briskly out into the road. Kent, we'll
sheltered. caught one brief sufficient
glimpse of the occupant. 1t was DIR.
Breed. The medical officer looked. as
always, nerve ,beset, but there was a
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