The Ordway new era., 1919-08-08
The Vacant
Chair
BY Gabrielle May Robinson


on the hill for two years, making no
acquaintances in the village and keep
ing very much to herself. 1t was only
when her former maid married and
went away. and after q new maid hau
been employed. that the town people
gained some knowledge OF the inner
life of the serious-faced, but still
young and handsome woman who had
become sort OF mystery to them.
Myra Lee was the new maid. and
when at the end of week she was
given an afternoon and evening OF to
visit her folks, she had an animated
story to tell.
Miss Douglas is a strange LADY,
said Myra in her artless way. "She
reads all day nearly. Then late In
the afternoon 1t takes two hours to
get ready for dinner. 1t isn't so much
what she has to eat, which is always
choice and plenty. but you ought to see
how beautifully she dresses for the
meal. And oh such a layout of silver
and china and cut glass! And the
snowy naperyl And she sits In the
grandest state, and / have to walt on
the table In a special dress. And the
four plates set at the table.
'Tour7" repeated Myra's mother Gu
riously.
Eyes, Just that-four places all set
and only one filed. And the first night
! saw all this she said. Myra. you
need not remark a fancy ! have for
having the table set for three guests.
1t makes me feel less lonesome.
''Why, there must be three especial
people Miss Douglass thinks Of" Ny
ra's mother crudely expressed herself.
''Thnt must be It," nodded Myra;
anyway, it's a regular thing every
dinner meal. Miss Douglas seems to
like II. too, for she is nearly an hour
at table"
All kinds of guesses were rife when
this information got out Husband,
children, parents, brothers and SIS
ters-certainly the impelling motive OF
the table set for four applied to some
individuals who had played an impor-
tant part in the past life of the lonely
lady In the house on the hill.
",Then, very often" went on Myra's
narration, Miss Douglas stands at
the front window and looks out the
walk to the street. just as II she was
watching for somebody she expected
But that somebody never comes"
With Myra the program she had de-
plcted became a matter of regular oc-
currence and lost its unique and mys-
tifylng flavor. But one evening there
was a deviation from the dull routine.
The table was all set and Myra was
chatting with the watchman who had
just taken up his night patrol of the
neighborhood, when an automobile
drove up in front of the house. Myra
ran into the house to see Miss Douglas
at the door welcoming with unfeigned
delight two dignified-looking men,
whom she called In turn Leonard and
Marcus. and whom Myra soon under
stood were brothers who had not Wis
tied her for many years. And Myra
also learned through her keen vision
and sharp hearing that one was a
Judge and the other n prominent ply
slcian in distant city.
"How have longed for this visitl"
Myra heard Miss Douglas say, when
the dinner had begun.
"And always prepared for u.s." spoke
tHe JuuBe, US he SldiiCeu oNci thc pSi-
fectlon of table service. Then he rest
ed his gaze upon the one vacant chair.
"Adole," he said with gravity. 'it is
on his account that we have come"
Ills" palpably referred to the per-
son who might have appropriately
filled that vacant place at the table.
Peering from the next room. Myra no
ticed that Miss Douglas began to pale
and tremble. She lowered her eyes
and her breath became rapid and
tremulous.
"He came to us in the city-after all
these years" subjoined the other
brother. "He is. believe, a changed
man, Adele. In fact there Is every evil
dence that he has suffered and has re
formed. But there is his long deser.
ton, his terrible career of dissipation"
but If that is ended, and you are
sure-sure" cried Miss Douglas, in a
tone as poignant as though her heart
had been suddenly pierced by a keen
pointed knife, "if he has cast aside
the cruel, cruel drink, then, then"
her head dropped and the tears rained
from her eyes.
There was a ring at the front door
and Myra hastened thlther. There
stood her friend the watchman. He
held stranger by the arm.
"Will you tell Miss Douglas to step
here for a momentf" directed the
wstchman and then, as the wondering
lady appeared: Miss Douglas, found
this man prowling about the garden,
acting in suspicious way. What
shall do with hlmf"
AS he spoke he drew his shrinking
captive within the full radiance of the
light streaming from the hallway
Miss Douglas uttered one sharp gasp