The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-04-28
By Henry Sydnor Harrison
Captivating Mary Carstairs
80

evening where he was to be met at Forty
second street by a Mr.. Horace OHara. an
interesting parsonage who had once been
burglar but was now in the fish and Fese-
table way at Fulton market. Together they
would make their way to the home. Future
plans had to do with an educatre course at
the graded schools and other matters 30
strange and exalted that one could not hear
them mentioned without experiencing the
most benumbing abashment.
The two good friends parted with hand.
shake. enforced by the young mana unique
ceremonial which filed the small breast OF
Thomas with a conflict Of strange emotions;
and Earney. having dispatched telegram
to Mr.. OTIara and another TO Mrs. Marie
Duval. who had the home with no boys In
It on One Hundred and Seventeenth street.
had ut once turned his face back to the.
yacht. He chose the woodland path for his
walk which struck straight down from the
handsome residence street and skirted the
river at a point near the Cypriani's anchor.
age and here an incident Of interest betell
him. As he sauntered down the path, con-
scious of a sudden curious loss Of spirits, his
attention was caught by the blurred sound
Of voices from the street, some fifty yards
behind him. and presently the vague rumble
crystallized into something like this
Internal absence of livery .
Far station master fellow
say it was, Henry"
The r0ice was masculine carefully modu.
lated. decidedly elegant a different sort OF
voice gave answer:
f said. sir mile. but knowing
the hold way. they count distances away
from the cities. sir. I'm 'ardly 'opng to see
1t under two mile-hlt that"
Varney idly turned The woods were thick
just ahead OF him. cutting Off all view Of
the street; but farther on. to the north.
there was break in the leafy wall. reveal
ing Il small slit of patent cement sidewalk.
Soon. as he watched. two pedestrians
stepped into view within this frame Of TO.
lIage--a tall. immaculate looking man
swinging a trim cane. and behind him a
stocky, middle sized. black CARRIED fellow
struggling along under two suitcases and
roll OF umbrellas. In three steps they
had passed across the little open space and
were again lost behind the trees. their voices
running once more into an indlstInguish.
able rumble.
Nauney, hating in the path, had little
doubt who the tall man was. 1t was Ferris
Stanhope. returning to the home Of his
boyhood and sublimely unaware of the ma.
ture Of the reception which awaited him.
Now. as they stood calmly chatting at the
rail under the brilliant sky. he told Peter
Of the authors arrival and dutifully re-
minded him OF that promise. Peter re-
ncwed it without enthusiasm. His eyes
rested on the approaching gig with kind
Of fascination and Earney followed his
gaze.
Isn't Hare drcssy. though: Frock coat
and all that
Yes He'll add needed touch
Of elegance 10 the somber. setting Of the
drama"
BY the way" said Narney. presently.
how did Hammerton get away last night?
! believe Fergusons been lodging me all
day but the fact is I've never given 1t a
thought"
Peter laughed.
He's sharp tack. that boy IS. He
played dead till old Ferguson got first in
terested. then nervous, and lastly careless.
Lay there two hours without moving.
.hreathcd as little as he could do with and at
long intervals fluttered one cyed and took
II peep how the land lay. After while
there came time when the door was left
wide open and only one deckhand in sight.
ilarmerton hoorcd him with Il chair from
behind and jumped over the rail. She hap
rrred to be moving close nshore ut the
t!rn~ and he was In the woods before the
fatheads even got boat down"
Xhrrey echoed his laugh ubsently. All
morning since his return from funston he
had ielt himself embodied by Il mysterious
dcspunCeacy which he had seemed unable
either 10 account for or to shake of. But
now. ils the ;lnat climax Of his business
drew near tn summon him. he felt his spirits
ineXplicahiy rising again. y certain excite
mcnt possessed him; lie was glad that ut
last his hour had come.
Hardly listening to Peter. lie was running
over in the most business like way the little
scheme mapped out and rehenrsed together
that morning. by which the two supertluous
guests. the mere sleepers " in the orches-
ira, were to be detached at the proper mo.
ment. Yes. certainly; it was sound and
would hold water. So would everything
else Peters things had gone ashore two
hours before. for Inc was to remain in Hun
ston. Everything had been provided for:
the last detail Systematically arranged. a
surcr scheme and clearer coast could, not
possibly have been contrived or desired.
AT breakfast" continued Peter, d" Ham
merton suddenly blurted out that. while he