The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1923-04-27


When T. looked at BARLEY, he showed
no surprise; but then had scarcely
expected that he would, for he made
it point never to be surprised at
anything that might come up. The
butler admitted that he did not know
what the quarrel had been about, and
that, with the exception of the two
times he had mentioned, the relations
that had existed between Slyke and
his sister-in-law had always been very
friendly.
The storm was now directly over
head. Chaps of thunder were almost
incessant, and vivid flashes Of light
ming penetrated the room in spite of
the heavy curtains drawn over the
windows.
AS the butler left the stand, there
was a slight commotion in the rear of
the room; and turning. saw Roche
making his way between the chairs,
pushing the chauffeur ahead of him.
King gave the two men q puzzled
glance, and then turned to the district
attorney and whispered something to
him. Miss Potter also turned to see
what the noise was, and an expression
Of CONSERVATION and dread came over
her face.
The two men passed within a foot
of me. and the cruel lips and shifty
eyes of the chauffeur made me won
der why Slyke should have kept such.
man in. his employ. When they
reached the front of the room, Roche
motioned the chauffeur TO the empty
chair next to Miss Potter, who drew
as far away from him as she could,
and then seated himself on the other
side of his prisoner. The chauffeur
gave her look filed with hatred.
blended with smile of triumph.
could see that there was something
wrong between these two.
A sharp peal of thunder seemed to-
split the air, causing the crowd to
stir uneasily III their chairs. Again
the lights fickered down for a me-
ment, and again the thunder rolled.
A violent wind dashed the rain against
the windows behind me. and there
was scarcely a pause between the
flashes of lightning. The room was
deathly still; we were petrified.
Doctor King was standing behind
his desk, his face white, one hand
playing pervously with the papers in
front of him. He started at each vivid
flash of lightning and the thunder
seemed to daze him. Turning to the
district attorney, and speaking half
to him and half to the room, he said:
II think we should adjourn the. in
quest until tomorrow. The storm is
so bad that doubt if we can hear the
testimony of the other witnesses"
His decision seemed to be very sen
sible We had been unable to hear
the close of the buffers evidence be-
cause of the thunder, and l doubted if
any but those in the front seats would
be able to hear the witnesses that
were still to be called The district
attorney objected, however, to adjourn
ing. He said that he could not be pres
ent the next day, and thought that
we had better hear the remaining wit
nesses at once. Sinking back into his
chair, King asked the attorney whom
he wanted to call next.
The district attorney rose to his
feet, saying slowly, n am going to
call Briffeur, who was chauffeur for
Mr. Slyke. He will"
But whatever he was going to add
we never discovered. Just at that
second there came terrific flash of
lightning that seemed to burn its way
across the room, followed by a deaf
ening clap of thunder. With sizzle
the lights went out and left the room
as black as the inside. of coal mine.
Low murmurs came from all sides. 1t
was enough surely to try the nerves
of the most stout-hearted.
AS the rumble of thunder died
away, heard King demanding, in
voice that shook little, 'Will some
body get light-lamps or candies?'
Someone pushed back a chair, and
then suddenly, rising above all else
and ringing through the room with a
horror that seemed to glue me to my
seat. came shrek Of terror. 1t was
sustained for second, then died
away in long, sobbing moan.
(To BE CoNTINUED.)