Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-03-18

ing more freely, looked around hlni.
TIE crumbling quarters curved to
either side in wide semi-cirCle
whose ends had been swallowed by the
hungry forest. Only two or three of tie
buildings, which had probably been
repaired, possessed roofs.
Miller felt the romantic call OF
Eighty years. He wanted to stop and
examine these significant survivals Of
a unique cOmmunty--these prisons
these torture chambers, il half that
had been handed down about Meyer
was true. But he resisted. 1t would
soon be dark. As it was his visit must
be hurried. SO he told Tony to wait
for him in the avenue.
perhaps youll find one Of the ser.
wants to chat WITH" he said.
But. as he hurried down the avenue
and around the house to the pillared
verandah he saw no servants himself.
Morgan opened the door, greeting MIN
warmly. He led him into a comforta.
BILE library which occupied the entire
left hand wing. High cases with an.
cient blackboard volumes circled the
room.
Miller glanced at them interestedly.
Look as though they might have
been the original library collected by
Meyer" he said
Il dare say they are" Morgan an"
swered. ITS all old before the war
stuff-mostly government reports, dry
and valueless One OF my brothers,
who is something of a book worm.
has run through them. He advised sell
ing the lot by the bale for kindling.
BY the way hope you'll stay long
enough TO meet my brothers. They've
inundated themselves once or twice
by leaving real winter resorts to visit
me. hope they'll be here over this
coming Sunday or their way North
You might enjoy them
He rang bell In few minutes a
man servant entered, bearing tray
with cigars and bottles. Morgan made
good deal of a ceremony of the re-
/ freshments Half an hour or more had
passed before he arose to conduct his
guest through the house. During that
time. as though by natural consent,
neither he nor Miller had mentioned
Jake. Evidently every one on the is.
land agreed with Miller that il was
essential the tragedy should nCr be
brooded upon by minds already scffi-
GENTLY troubled
Miller found the interior OF the
Plantation house more fascinating than
that first view had prophesied. The
rooms were low ceilinged but large.
The wood work was rough hewn. Old.
fashioned furniture clutered the
floors. The clothing of the two men
was all that brought the mind beck
from the days of Meyer to the present.
At last Morgan led Miller up a
steep ladder to the cupola he had no.
tlttu llULi iHc WdteE.
mere, in the small, square, unfinisl.
ed room, Morgan pointed out rusty
iron staples driven into the oak beams.
Depending from them were wrist and
leg irons Overhead was a row of emp.
ty hooks.
For thongs and lashes," Morgan
explained. 1T seems Meyer was a dis.
ciplinarhn. This cheerful apartment
was designed for the house servants.
in some of the barns there is far
more elaborate outfit, evidently for
he field hands"
Romantic" Miller said. Scarcely
pleasant, but by Jove, the whole place
is romantic"
"And what else you've had a chance
TO see Morgan answered quietly
las I've told YOU, l pride myself on
my resistance, but the island doe
seem to give out an air. How would
YOU describe Baneful! You've
seen how superstition fattens on It.
That shouldn't be, but Pm fighting II
all the time, not only with my ser
wants. My brothers even, when they're
here
The proper moment had come. Nil
Ter caught his breath and plunged
boldly,
And your daughter? Is she supersti
| tiOus?"
Morgan turned. 1t was growing dark
even in this high room. Miller could
not read the others face---conld moi
be sure 1t confessed any emotion
stronger than surprise.
Morgan spoke with little Difficult
~. His voice was hard.
my daughter! How have you--Wha,
do you know of herr
Miller felt himself placed in the
wrong He was conscious of the no,
blood In his cheeks. After ALL perhap.
he had been tactIess, FOR Anderson haG
told him that the girl troubled hel
fai her, and he had seen sufficient evi
dence of that himself
'T'he Andersons." he said, "men
toned that you had daughter
His choice lay between that and al