The state herald., 1915-09-10

/
stepped back and attempted to address
the stranger. But before she had got
much further than timid and hest
tating Madam" the woman, reused
into action possibly by her interfer-
ence. made a quick gesture suggestive
OF impatience II not rebuke. and NOV.
ing resolutely towards the gate Miss
Weeks had so indiscreetly left un.
guarded, pushed It open and disap-
peared within. dragging the little child
after her.
And she's In there still?"
II haven't seen her come out"
Then what's the matter with your"
called burly. high-strung woman.
stepping hastily from the group and
laying her hand upon the gate still
standing temptingly ajar Its no
time for nonsense" she announced. as
she pushed II open and stepped
promptly In. followed by the motley
group OF men and women who. II they
lacked courage to lead. certainly
showed willingness to follow.
One glance and they felt their cour,
age rewarded.
Rumor. which SO often deceives,
proved itself correct in this case A
second gate confronted them exactly
like the first. even to the point OF
being held open by a pebble placed
against the post And a second fence.
also! built upon the same pattern as
the one they had Just passed through: :
/ the two forming double barrier as
mysterious TO contemplate in fact as
1t had ever been in fancy. In gazing
at these fences and the canyonlike
walk stretching between them the
band Of curious invaders forgot their
prime errand for a moment
But whatever the mysteries of the
place, a greater one awaited them be-
yond. and presently realizing this, they
burst with one accord through the sec
ond gate into the mass OF greenery
which. either from neglect or i,.sn.
tion, masked this side OF the Ostrander
homestead.
less a growth or house so completely
lost amid vines and shrubbery. Two
solemn fir trees. which were all that
remained Of an old-time and famous
group, kept guard over the INTENDED
lawn. adding their suggestion OF age
and brooding melancholy to the air
OF desolation infesting the whole place.
One might be approaching a tomb. for
all token that appeared Of human pres
ence. Even sound was lacking. Il
was like a painted scene-a dream Of
human extinction.
lnstinctively the women faltered and
| the men drew back: then the very
silence caused a sudden reaction, and
with one simultaneous rush they made
for the only entrance they saw and
burst without further ceremony into
the house.
A common hall and common fur.
nishings confronted them. More they
could not gather: fes blocked as the
doorway was by their crowdIng fig.
ures, the little light which sifted In
over their heads was not enough to
show up details. Hating with one ac.
cord In what seemed to be the middle
OF the uncarpeted floor. they waited
for some Indication OF u clear passage
way TO the great room where the Judge
would undoubtedly be found In conyer.
sation with his strange guest.
The woman OF the hard voice and
self'satisfied demeanor who had start.
ed them upon this adventure was still
ahead; but even she qualled when she
found herself face to face with a
heavy curtain instead " n Welding
! door.
Look at this!" she Nispered. push.
Ing the curtain inwi ~ith a quick
movement.
Sunshinel A stream OF II. dazzling
them almost to blindness and sending
them. one and all. pellmell back upon
each other' However dismal the mp.
proach. here all was In brilliant light
with every evidence before them OF
busy life.
The room was not only filled. but
/ Wa'h hlt Nnh
the first thing they noticed; then, as
their blinking eyes became accus.
toned to the glare and to the unex.
pce,ed confusion OF tables and chairs
and screens and standing receptneics
for books and pamphlets and boxes
labeled and padiocked. they bcheld
something else.
Tho Judge was there. but IN what n
condition.
From the end OF the for,y.foot room
his seated figure confronted them. al.
lent. staring and unmoying with
clcnchod fingers gripping the arms Of
his great chair and head held forward.
he looked like one frozen n, tho mo.
men, OF doom. such III, expression Of
features usually 10 noble. and now
almost unrocosniEablo were Il no, for
tho snow white of hia locks and his
unmistakable brow,
froEenl No, an eyelaah aulyered.
nor wac there any percep,iblc move.
mont In bis sturdy chest His eyes
were ON their eyes, but he saw no ono
I q. Al