Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-02

VIII Tit 1OBuh VI StOKUnlS
THE great, inner square court of
AIRS. Samuel CayIey's new coun-
try house at Sunny Beach was
flooded with the dazzling bright light
OF early morning. II glinted not
only down through the lofty, glass
domed roof but in from the whole
north side. thrown open to the giis-
tening sandy shore with the dancing
blue waters just beyond. In con-
formity with the Spanish style. the
rooms were built in two stories. a
gallery running around the three in
closed sides. AS Carp. the butler,
came down the staircase. his faded
eyes blinked in the glare and he
shook his head disapprovingly.
These newfangied copies OF for
eign architecture were not to his
liking, and he was sure he should
never get used to this huge, bare.
sanded court with its fountain and
the ugly stone seats scattered about.
He missed a spacious veranda out
side where body could serve tea
and iced drinks after the oid-estab-
lisifed custom OF his two generations
with the best families.
Moreover, something was wrong.
Carp paused at the foot OF the stair
ease. uncertain what 1t was that
seemed out OF place. Then. as his
eyes became accustomed TO the light.
n, saw that the great center double
ooor OF glass, across the patio open
Ing on the still unfinished concrete
terrace, stood widely ajar. Directly
facing IL. with its massive, carved
back TO him. was the stone BENCH
lIpon which ne had LEFT Mr.. Bernhard
seated on the previous evening
when the latter announced that he
himself would lock up. lie had evl-
IDENTIFY forgotten to do 30. but II
would never do TO have him come
down and be reminded OF it by ind
ing out that the house had been left
open on the shoreward side all night:
Carp hurried across the sanded
stone floor, skirting the fountain ana
the end OF that wide-armed marble
bench. Then he stopped all at once
and n shrill. high-pitched scream
tore its way from his throat
Henry Carp. have you gone
crazy" A aharp-featured house
maid OF indetcrIninatc age appeared
hnrriedIy at the head of the stairs.
adjusting her apron as she came.
"Do you want to wake up the house,
Yelling Ike that? What il IT."
But Carp could only wave to her
inartlculately. He was grimacinG III
n horrible fashion and seemed to he
staring down at something at ms
feet. something which was concealed
from her by the high back OF tho seat.
She hurried down and across to nm.
then stiiled the cry which rose to her
own lips. Lying face downward at
their feet was tho body OF II man IN
dinner clothes with the whole back
Of his head n shapelcas. spongy. con
geaicd mass The white sand all
about II was stained hideous. red
dish brown.
ct isn't-it can't be--Mr. Benk-
ard" lie lips barely formed the
question. but the old
man nodded, gripping her wiry arm
for support.
who else lie was the only gem
tleman In the house after Mr.. Lane
started back TO the city. and | left
him here smoking when Mrs. Caylcy
aud the Young ladies had gone to
bed left him here smoking on
that very seat" Carp's voice had
risen in cracking falsetto. Lefty.
what could ha' happened ."
I.etitia opened her lips to speak.
but paused. as though realizing the
Iutility of tho suggestion she was
about to offer. AT thGt moment
cheerful il somewhat monotonouslv
refrain sounded from out
side. and tail. lankv workman in
overalls crossed the terrace toward
the pile of concrete blocks just be-
; ond tho open glass doors.
Leave go my arm" I.etitia eX-
claimed. "Geofr, Gcoff. come here,
will your'
The workman turned. revealing n
long. lantern jawcd face. with mild.
brown eyes. and shock
OF sandy hair beneath his cap.
whats up" he asked. in a slow.
nasal drawl. rs he pushed the doors
open and entered. Then. at sight of
the body, he halted. Land o. Lib
erty,"
ITS Mrs CayleN's brother, Mr..