| Show I f If f THE HIDDEN HAND to I tf I i. i j Nocturnal lal i Mt lt i i Whence VInce Is s that thai tn i How I ow I t with wih m mo nw w when every r sound f appals rn nw 4 S S S I j hour a n knocking In Iho ho south entry mor more lu k knocking n M kin 1 I fl Shakespeare e I I I Hall nai Is a lar large c I old nl fl family y mansion manlon built hul oCt of oC t N rod red f el sandstone In on one of the loneliest t and t ti I o of the Hw mountain reg regions ns of or ory i y t M Virginia ti Tho rho estate Is surrounded nde on three sides 1 by a A range Tange of or sleep If p gr ray gray rocks rocks spiked with wih clumps i 1 of dark evergreens and anel willed called rom If hOs horseshoe form the Devils Devil's f's Dc Hoof On the fourth side thc Die ground roun grad grad- u 11 descends In I broken rock roc and z V I barren 39 to th the edge edgo of oC the thc wild wid t I I mountain 10 stream kno a as th the j De Devils Devil's HI liun V I When hen s pr in l and nHI flood were Ii 1 high Jg ugh l. l I the loud roaring of the wild wil moun- moun r V win lain gorges and the terrific raging ragIng of or c I th the tho torrent over o cr ivr its ils rocky rock course nl CO gave I 10 tO this ibis savage locality H Its lii Ill J V V names s of ot Devils Devil's Js Dc Hoof Devils Devil's is i's nun Jiun Hal Hall V i Major Ira Warfield the lonely lonel pro- pro proc I tf c of ot the tie Bal Hall hail was Avas a veteran o oCl of- of l J V V hoer who in disgust t ai at what bo he sup- sup Jo ld to tn be bo n i-n requited ill ser ices services hn had A V H from public ll life to spend pen 4 1 l nIng o of 01 his vigorous l age ge e on this V patrimonial estate Here he lived 4 t in il with Avith wih his old fashioned V housekeeper Mrs Irs Condiment a and unc nd h his is isdEl f iI old dEl family servants se antl ull and his Itis favorite and ul horses Here Hero his mornings V wn ivert Usually spent In III II the chase chos in iii i I which ho Iw excelled and nd his afternoons J f wet were C occupied In small mn V I convivial among his few chos- chos t i en en Vii companions of the chase or 01 the tho but but- 1 tie t i J In LIIV II person Warfield arfeld was waR tall tal anti and n ld strongly hl built it V lm reminding reminding- ono one one 01 of i I t some V 01 old limbed Iron Ion Douglas Q f ft t f. f V ll the oll ohlen n time tune Ills His f features tU-es' tU were t large Jorge C and harsh hi hah his dark larl V V Ted Tedas as 28 that IC f one ono blon bronzed etl cl by long V tl e and l with strong ng 7 I His is fierce dark gray eyes eres r wore sere surmounted h by thick heavy blade brows that when whon gathered into I V a a 8 frown rown rein reminded V one of ot V thundercloud thunder thunder- I V t V cloud clou as the flashing orbs I beneath neath them hem m did ld of lightning His hard V har h face was surrounded by ly a thick f i of bC iron gray ion gray hair and leare beard 5 that met net beneath his chin Ills Ils usual 4 th was vhs a black cloth coat coal cripi- cripi y V KOM nn vest t black leather breeches long 4 t black yarn Jarn arn stockings s. s fastened at the V lV i knees knees- and morocco slippers with sl- sl or e I buttons V III Jul 11 r Major lajO Warfield was wasi i domineering and ancl violent violent- S loved lo and amI feared by hl his faith faith- t V ful old family servants at home dis home did LL t V liked and dreaded by ly his neighbors neighbor v V and acquaintances s abroad who partly part- part ly Iy from his house house and partly from his Is character fixed upon him th the V ui Ie nickname of Old Hurricane i Ther There was wa however howe or other ground of oC dislike e le besides i es that that that-of of his arrogant i mind and ami habits habis Old Hurricane l was said ai to be bean beS le S rn an yet et rumor rumor I that there was In some obscure part i. i S of ot the world hidden en away from hu human iuS iu- iu deserted wife an and child S man sight a n b. poor 1001 forlorn and heart n heart It Iti I i was further whispered that the cl elder er J bi other of or Ira ha Warfield had mysteriously 1 S V bushy I disappeared di anti and not without ome su suspicion of or foul pla play on the V part of oC the only ony per person on In the world orid V who had hael a strong Interest In his taking tak lug ing Ing off ott However er these things might LV h be It was As-as known lot for fO a cert certainty that i. i V Old Hurricane had hal an nn only sister J Widowed ed s sick Ick am and poor who with wih her herson r rf V s-on s 01 dragged on out a wretched life o of ill ill- requited toil tol severe privation lI aton and 1 painful infirmity In a dl distant city unLa uni un- un V i La H led un unsought ought an and for by br I 4 her bet cruel brother c cruc t. t I It was as the tho night of tho the last day of V October eighteen hundred and forty forty- V live H The h c evening had closed In d dark daik uk ukI I V and gloomy About dusk husk th the wind arose In the northwest driving up ma masses es of if leaden hued clouds and in a afew V few minutes the tho ground was covered i deep with wih snow aunt and the air all was 1111 nl- nl V V od Iel with wih dr driving sleet I As is this was All 1 IL Hallow Halow eve the tho dr dreadful inclemency of the i S V did not nut prevent the ne negroes of or Hurricane Hur lul- lul V Ilane Hall front from alln a availing themselves S their old masters master's of hf capricious oll per ler- cr- cr V mi mission lon and going off fC f In a n hOll body lody to a aV V banjo br held In the negro quarters of their thelt next neighbor Upon this evening evenin then there was Avas V loft left at Hall hail Hal only Major MaJOL Wai Mrs l rs rs his t V V old III I and Wool hl lila bis body heh S H j 0 1 t V VV V V l arly In the tho evening e the old hall hail hallwas hal t. t was WM as shut shilL up ll fl closely to keep keel out fl as I V V much as possible Il th the sound of ot jl t ie i storm that roared through gh the hc mountain moun moon I V V taut tain cha chasms 11 mel and cannonaded the he wi l Avails nIls I V V of ot the house c as ns j jf if determined tu lo o force I r. r an nfl entrance IC As s oon Ion a as LS she sho had hael seen V that all was Avas ufa d Mrs Condiment went i V 1 to bed bod hel and went t IQ sleep V. V t It I Ih 5 Ayas h 55 about ut ten o'clock that nl hL t z t that at Old m IU Hurricane al Avell wel Wrapped V d dI tI I up UI In 10 his quilted Haunch flannel dressing dressing- sat t In II his bis padded well f easy easy- Y- Y rV chair eforo l a warm anI and 1 bright the lire rV V V taking hi illS hla comfort in II hl his own most V comfortable room bed TillS This Avas WW the hc f hour hout of the l enjoyment lo 10 It hit hc self indulgent CJ old Sybarite who dearly dear dear- ly Iy lo ed loved hl his own 1 oa e. e And n ind indeed ed lC V V and appliance of oC bodily Vi V e cl every means hodl V comfort was Avas at han hand Strong oal oaken en shutters and aud thick hen heavy curtains at atthe V L V the kept out every wIY draft of V air and so R deadened the sound of the V 5 wind that that Its 1 subdued ul moaning was as V just 5 to remind one of the tho S storm weather veather without In contrast to V the bright warmth within V 01 Old Hurricane Ir Hur as I said nd sat voLl eU wrapped up in his wadded dressing gown n. In and nod re reV reclining re- re V 1 clining in lit his padded easy chair with Ith his bis head hod thrown back an and his feet teet upon the lire fire f e irons toasting his shins V V a and sipping his punch On his right V hand StOl stood a little table with wih a lighted light light- Ight- Ight ed IJ I c f 1 V a. a st slit slack ck lt of or cla clay pipes UJ U a V jug J t f f. f punch Demons sugar unhand Holland while the hearth sat a gin etc etc on tin t V kettle of ff f boiling water to help to re replenish ye- ye I the thc ju jug If needful V On hl his left ler hand han stood his cozy COZ V bc bedstead with Its Iti IK warm crimson curtains CUI cur cur- talus festooned back back revealing the theS S V luxurious swell of the Iho run ruB featherbed feather feather- o V bed ludl and pillows 8 10 with lh their h snow snow- V white linen and ami ool blankets Inviting Io repose loe Between this bedS bed beil- V tead and 1 the he corner contI of or the fireplace V S V stood Blood stone Old Hurricanes Hurricane's ancient bo body V v tnt Wool nol engaged In warming a aCri aV V Cri crimson cloth nl nightcap V l lolls V muttered Old Hurricane oVer 01 0 his bis punch jacks thu they'll 1 get Jcl tIu the pleurisy except 11 that ge drunk tl all al go Wool OOl ool I ry y man oman nd chile sat fn n t me be and n r I t l 0 l' l 1 Mure lul fools fool they And Auth I shouldn't r wonder if I you ou you ou old scarecrow did nol not rant ant to go o too ton Xo No marse marse I know better hetel sir Ir dont don't contradict 1 me Well ehl cl as soon a as Im I'm Im in he and i that wont won't be hf long now you now you ou may go goso o so so o that you ou can cn get back In time to wait walt on me tomorrow morning marse so V Hold Holl your our tongue longue You are as big biga big I a a. n fool Cool as the tho rest 1 I 1 take kuke this said Old Hurricane as ns ashe ashe he sipped his and smacked his lips lilS J I take this to be tho the Ver very quintessence quintessence quint quint- essence of human enjoyment sitting h here In m my nw soft warm chair before the lire fire toasting my legs sipping m my punch listening on the one Ian nand to the storm without without and glancing on the theother other othet hand hanti at m my comfortable bed waiting there to receive e my nead If I there ther Is anything beter better than this lII in hut this world 1 wish wih somebody some some- would let know It H I boe body woul me Its Hs all aI worry werry comfortable Indeed Marse Marso Inre said the obsequious W- W Wol oi ol olI I wonder on er now If there theu-c is anything on tho the lace face of oC the earth that would tempt mo inc to lo I leave n e my co cosy y jle and go ro abroad tonight I lr how large a a n. n promise of pleasure or r profit or glory y It would take tak now tio Much as either ebber congress Its could give e If I it i Give o gl you a Tor or 0 al all ni your nin suggested Wool Yes Yc and more mote for fOI or I 1 wouldn't leave m my home hume comforts tonight to ensure not on only July I the thc Tn pension ion hut but ut the tle thanks of if congress said the old ohl man replenishing his V glass glss t lih Jh steaming 10 JU punch and nd ehin drinking It off lf lh ly The fhe clock struck eleven cleven The ohman oh old man maut replenished his glass gIas ann ana 11 sipping its Is contents s said You may fill Il the tie warming pan and am warm m bed bed Wool nol The fumes Cume of this fragrant punch arc are be t trise to torise rise to Lo my head beau lal and fn make mae ire 1 The jle servant the tho warming pan an with wih glowing em embers 11 shut liow inri il th lid lid and alJ thrust It th thi- thi sheets he ts Is to tC warm arin m the tho couch conch of or the luxurious Old II hurricane HIT lean o. o The old man ct to Lo toast last his foot sip his bis punch and smack his bis liis Ho lit lt Ili finished his glass set It I down and was jut Inthe In iU the act of haLving drawing on oil 01 Ills his woolen preparatory t to stop ring Into his el well warmed bod when he he was a as suddenly startled by hy a loud t the tl hall hail hal doorbell What the the foul fiend can that mean at this time of of- night exclaimed Old lui dropping dropping hi his and turn turing urn log ing sharply around trw toward rd Wool V who vho warming pan In stood liand stav- stav big Ing ng willi wih astonishment What does docs that hal tnt mean I 1 a ask li y you u J JD D Deed e I dunno unno sav sn less Its It's somo benighted traveler tra In search o sh shelter ler I de do storm Humph and anc In itt h search Search of supper too oo of course cour and an everybody gone gonea a aa xray a or gone to bed led lint but you and me At t t this moment the te ringing was owed lowed b by a n knocking Mars Mare 1 a rs dont don't lont le less you o onn nn and me mc listen V n to o it f an and then we aint bilged to tC ourselves wi whit wid answering bf it i suggested Wool sir ir do 10 you think am ani that Iam going to turn a n deaf dea ear to a n str stranger that comes conies to my ny hou house c for shelter on such a ni night ht is lS this Go and answer an nn- tho the bell lehl hel directly i V But ul stop stop look look here mind i I am not nOl to be dl disturbed If I it il is isa isa isn a n traveler tra eler ask asli him in set r t sl merits ment before him and show hint him to tobed bed beth Im I'm Im not going to leave lea my warm room to welcome anybody tonight please th the Lord Do you heat hear Yes sar sai m. m said all the darkey darke retreat retreat- Ing Int A As Wool took a shaded taper anti and all opened the el door oa leading from his naster masters master's nas- nas urns mas tees ter's chamber r th the thc wind was heard hearth howling through h the long passages lea ready y to hUr burtt t Into the tile COS cosy be bed rom room Shut the thC door you scoundrel rJ roal roared e the old oll man folding tile the skirt of ot his warm dressing gown gown across acro his knees and hovering ho closer to th the Ore lire WOOl quickly obeyed and was heard retreating down don the steps Whew Sail said the the old man spreadIng spreadIng spread spread- Ing his hands over or o the with wih a alook alook n look of of comfortable table appreciation What ha would In induce uce me 1110 to go on such uch a night as this Wind ind blow blow- loin lo I in hog ng gI great at guns uns from Crom the thc northwest now snow snow foiling failing a last fast t from tho heavens and rising just as fast before the tho wind ind from the lH ground ground cold ground ground-coll cold as Lapland larJ dark lalk as Erebus No o tolling telling the earth oarth from the thc st sky and anel to corn corn- COt foi foil t tho the cold thought Old poured out another glass of or smoking ln punch and began to tu sip It I. I How I 1 thank Lord that thal I am amnot amnot amnot not a doNor doctor If I I Vj were vere a doctor now the sound of that bell hel at this hour of or night would f tighten lighten me nie I should think sonic some old olti woman vonian had hint been talen taken tak tal- ohen oh- oh en with he the pleurisy and wanted me un meto unto Ul to get et up Ull ln and l go go out In the storm t tt tn t turn out of my lIlY warin bed hed to ride on en miles through brought th the lie snow to lo Ih pro lire Lou for lieu her A doctor never can an feel teel sure even cven In Inthe tile the WC worst Lt t o of weathers leIs ers Cl's of on Ira a good gocal rest rest But Bit thank i Heaven 1 I am free ft from oJ all al such mch annoyances InI an an- In- In I nonn s. s V and nulti ant if jf I 1 Jim nm sure o of anything any any- tiling thing lit ill 1 this world It I Is ot of lil com coin le nights flights sleep said Old Hurricane Hur as he sipped his ills punch smacked smack ed Cl his lips and toasted toas his foot cot Qt I At t this moment Wool ciol reappeared rN Shut hut the door tinor you ou villain lo no o you OU intend to stand there them holding it 1 open on oil me mo all 01 night vociferated the ola oln man V t I Wool hall hastily closed cose the tile offending I portals anti and hurried to his masters master's s side V Well ell el sir who was It Il rung runt the bell el V Ph Please sir i it fl wet we de IC Reverend Rev ne Mr MiS Ir Parson Goodwin make sick sick- Goodwin Been to a n call T I suppose s and got gol caught In the tho V snowstorm VI I I declare It is asi as haul bad bal to tobe 1 be itt a a. n p parson on as It Is to he be a doctor Thank the Lord I am not a parson either cither if Ie I X were now no I might bo Jw called away uway from my coz armchair nn and fireside fireside fire fire- fre- fre side to it ride twelve miles mies to comfort comfort some sonic old oll man |
