The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1921-01-27
lllusdtad By ksiN NyerS Copyright byGeosqe HDoonco


will get you your coffee"
He sent In a maid TO sweep up the
breakage from the coffee-tray, and
presently he came with another pot
and cup. He had steadied down, but
was not tranquil.
"You know that man." said. 'and
you wanted to kill him."
y never saw him BEFORE" he said.
You have had some sort of dealing
with him. He has been hunting for
you. He has found you. think we
are going to find you more interesting,
Jed. The man will remain n the
neighborhood think you are going TO
have some unpleasant hours. The
thought does not make me unhappy"
81 wish / could find friend In this
house." said Jed.
II wish you could deserve one,"
said.
My description Of Hartley house has
been so sketchy and Indifferent that
1t may not have included mention of
the formal gardens which took In the
river side of the place. They were
charming at all times but particularly
so at sunset, when the radiance was
behind the western hills two miles
across the water and was reflected
In the clouds back OFF our own east
ern hills. The shore at this point
was narrow. and the river was wide.
Hills. river and bottom lands formed
an intimate sanctuary which evening
glorifed.
To the north the gardens terminated
at high brick wall against which
hollyhocks grew and now were In gor-
geous blossom.
Jed had Joined me In the garden,
and we were sitting on stone bench
facing the river not fifty feet from the
brick we'll and the hollyhocks to the
north. Jed was expected within a
quarter Of an hour to join Mr.. Sid
ney. He seemed detected and wor-
ried-in a fashion timld, l thought.
When he came to sit down beside
me, l resented the intrusion for mo-
ment; but knowing that he had only
few moments In which to impose
his presence upon me, did not make
him feel any more unwelcome than
ordinarily he knew himself to be.
A schooner deep In the water with
brick from up the river had just come
In sight around point above, and
with sails spread to the light wind
was caught in the glorincation of the
water. A catbird was hopping in and
out of the shrubbery, aud even with
Jed by my side I was sentlent and
content.
1t was not a noise that attracted
my attention. 1t must have been the
sensation of being stared at. l turned
my head toward the wall to the north.
sat, and just topping the wall, was
the head Of the Spanish sailor.
He and l looked az each other for
what seemed to be at least a moment.
His earrings glittered. His gaze was
steady and both inquirlng and pur-
poseful. Even In inquiry II seemed
malignant, with the malice which
comes from sense Of injury.
felt a decidedly unpleasant shock
with the creeps which come from a
good ghost story. II ne had appeared
suddenly at full length somewhere in
the garden. walking about, IL would
have been different. But Just his
head appearing above tie we'll, and
he perfectly unexpected, unexplained,
motionless and inquiring-lt gave you
the shlvers Of child frightened at
night In the nursery.
you're poor company" said Jed.
'but am, too. and have to go to
Mr.. Sidney"
I seemed not to hear him. II was
not intended to rebuff him; was held
by the Spaniard's eyes. Jed went in
to a hun and said: "Oh, go to the
devil"
Then he also turned and saw the
head above the wall.
He arose and stood looking at the
Spaniard as intently as the Spaniard
was looking at him. This situation
ment or word from one Of us. Then
the Spaniard's face, craven in lines
Of malevolent purpose, softened into a
smile which expressed satisfaction
with prospects. And then the head
disappeared suddenly. l was In doubt
whether the mans feet had gone out
| from under him. or whether he had
| jumped.
In disappearing he left the place
where he had been, charged with the
mystery which his presence had in
dicated. His disappearance intensi-
fed, thickened, the atmosphere which
his presence had created. While his
head was above the wall. the sensa-
tion was one Of nervous astonIshment.
When his head disappeared. the sug-
| gestion Of terror was added. So long
as we saw him, It was something un-
explained but embodied; when he
dropped out Of sight. It was as II
person going down hall In his house
by candlelight at night were to come