Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1915-06-15

great things of you over here, Edgar.
We hear that you have been on the
point of proving most unpleasant
things with regard to our origin"
'Oh! there is no doubt about that"
the professor observed. Where we
came from and where we are going to
are questions which no longer afford
room for the slightest doubt to the
really scientific mind. What sometimes
does elude US is the nature of our
tendencies while we are here on earth"
There was brief silence. The port
had been placed upon the table and cot
fee served. The servants, according
to the custom of the house, had de-
parted. The great apartment was
empty. Even Quest was impressed
by some peculiar significance in the
long-drawn-out silence. He looked
around him uneasily. The growing re-
gard of that long line of painted war
riors seemed somehow to be full Of
menace. There was something grim,
too, in the sight of those empty suits
of armor.
Il may be superstitious," Lord Ash
leigh said, but there are times, espe-
cially just lately, when l seem to find
a new and hateful quality in silence.
What is it, wonder? ask you, but
think know. 1t is the conviction that
there is some alien presence, some
thing disturbing, lurking close at
hand"
He suddenly rose to his feet. pushed
his chair back and walked to the win.
dow, which opened level with the
ground. He threw it up and listened.
The others came over and joined him.
There was nothing to be heard but the
distant hooting of an owl, and farther
away the barking of some farmhouse
dog. Lord Ashleigh stood there with
straining eyes, gazing out across the
park.
There was something here" he
muttered; something which has gone
What's that? Quest, your eyes are
younger than mine. Can you see any
thing underneath that tree?"
Quest peered out into the gray dark
ness.
Il fancied saw something moving
in the shadow of that oak" he NUT
tered. Wait"
He crossed the terrace, swung down
on to the path, across the lawn, over
a wire fence and into the park itself
All the time he kept his eyes fixed on
a certain spot. When at last he
reached the tree there was nothing
there. He looked all around him. He
stood and listened for several mo-
ments. A more utterly peaceful night
or more utter peace it would be hard
to imagine. Slowly he made his way
back to the house.
Il imagine we are all little nervy
tonight" he remarked. There's moth
ing doing out there"
They strolled about for hour or
more, looking into different rooms,
showing their guest the finest pictures,
even taking him down into the wonder
full cellars. They parted early, but
Quest stood, for few moments before
retiring, gazing about him with an air
almost of awe. His great room. as
large as an Italian palace, was lit by a
dozen wax candles in silver candle
sticks. His four-poster was supported
by pillars Of black oak, carved into
strange forms, and surmounted by the
Ashleigh coronet and coat-of-arms. He
threw his windows open wide and
stood for a moment looking out across
the park, more clearly visible now by
the light of the slowly rising moon.
There was scarcely breeze stirring,
scarcely sound even from the animal
world. Nevertheless, Quest, too, as re
luctantly he made his preparations for
retiring for the night, was conscious
Of that quer sensation Of unimagined
and impalpable danger.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
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