Dreamy Hollow: A Long Island Romance

ith sunburn, seemed that of a dissipated man. He fidgeted in his chair, or paced the floor while talking incessantly about the business and its prospects. He had, since Villard's retirement,

upon the possibility. In less than half an hour he had, by hint and innuendo, thrown a wet blanket over the future prospects of the company. The morale was "bad." A strong man was needed at the helm-that was

I can make a great institution out of the company. It would be no trick

ard asked softly, but with a glint in his eyes that should ha

replied Parkin

rap

self to a straight

y started in, away back there, and they don't seem to know it. 'Let well enough alone' is the invisible motto they seem to see hanging upon the wall. It makes me sick-this

for having taken a little pleasure as they g

his answer, although his soul revolted at the change in th

t comes from my work, and as complete head of the company, I could give it not only greater national scope but greater international scope as we

packed his apparel and returned to New York. For a man of his shrewdness his blunder had been colossal. Having enthused himself to believe he was on the right track, and

nothing should be allowed to stand in the way of them-not even the men who have grown up with the business. With your help I can buy every interest, and if you conse

ride at the manner in which

, William, since I last saw you. Anything hap

ogue over the week-ends is about all I do. I like to fish, and drive my car. They are

ater was almost the elixir of life. Then, referring to Parki

going to have. I've invited Doctor Sawyer to join us. He lives across the hedge and I screwed up the courage to introduce myself. Wh

e sure, although I've heard it said that two is company, and three is a crowd. However, I'm d

ill turn out to be sociable. It is not well to dwell too much alone. We must not blight our minds through

irst time I have considered the subject. I give

ctor Sawyer's arrival stopped him. The introduction to the doctor was without warmth on either side; the regulation pump handle shake of the han

since my retirement from business has presided

ponded the Do

such a lovely spot as this. Action, action-I crave it! I must keep on the jump. Very pretty down here, though. Bot

ghbor. Finally the latter broke the silence by saying, "ahem!" Drury Vi

all spend his means. 'One man's food is another man's p

have poured into your estates might easily have endowed a great hospi

sment. At once he rose from his seat and led the way to the dining hall, a great amphitheater with high ceiling starting from the main floor and reaching to the top of the second story. Never before had the master of Dreamy Hollow dined "in state" in his own home, preferring as he did the breakfast roo

here to live," laughed Villard. "I have been so long completing the

tion plan. I made a failure of my main dining room. Too small by far. I must do some tear

low," repli

id. Then noting the frown upon Dr. Sawyer's brow the subject was changed, Parkins taking the l

rge institution out West called the Sawyer

idea," replied Sawyer, who added-"although I am a medical doctor I did not practice

d his fellow-guest. In an effort to straighten out matters he slapped

, and I beg your pardon," said he, most courteously.

an should have the ready made opportunity of becoming substantially rich. I don't know the facts, nor did I hear them from our modest host. The point is this, that whether or not he may ever endow a charity his record for generosity toward the men who helped him to build his great business has been warmly complimented by many lea

arkins, sharply. "I wouldn

. Business is becoming standardized, and, I am happy to hope-humanized. Mercantile warfare is all but a thing of the past. Only the upstart and the u

he saw that his advantage lay in getting away from the subject, and that he proceeded to do. He could feel the searching eyes of the veteran as spotlights upon himself, eyes that were unafraid-stern but fa

ind, but still find myself reading along without being bored. Thus far the author has made a pretty fair case in behalf of eternal life. T

ok no stock in it! There is positively nothing

that his hand trembled, and his fork had fallen into his plate. Fearful that he might hav

nd as Mr. Parkins is of his. Perhaps he has had experience not yet a part of Mr. Parkins' stock of knowledge! As a fact, we have all been taug

then turned toward his host with a remark when he noticed the pallor of Vill

Villard?" he inqui

le away the inference. But instead, som

ve that the dead have power t

Doctor Sawyer, looki

iously into the faces of both guests. Each seemed greatly surprised at his partial

ssible to occur. Within a few days I have ta

paramount stockholder of the corporation over which he craved ultimate control. Once in that position complete ownership might easily be made to pass along to h

blance of friendly credulity, Parkins began to work upon the good graces of his host. He

eme caution would be necessary-he would have to change his tactics, agree to the Sawyer code of

arkins, "I can truly say that you have struck the one chord ne

yes searching him for the truth. It was a dangerous test to invite but it was successful, the host finally relaxin

d face of Dr. Sawyer. "Probably because it reflected the yearnings of my soul. Involun

I have always yearned for, and expected, a message from my wife. Also I have believed with certainty that I would hear her voice

ns soberly. "Truly the phenomena of death and resurrection are no greater than life itself. But it is all

communication with a spirit from the other wor

, and that what I say will be regarded as truth-not a mirage of the brain. I m

begun to notice Parkins' nervous attitude. "That wou

r for another contact with the presence of that wonderful spirit. I knew her in the life, and I loved her. She would have been my wi

were striving for knowledge concerning their departed loved ones. A guilty feeling of disloyalty caused him to wonder if his plans might not be disclosed to both Villard and Sawyer through the same voice Drury had heard. A creepy sensation ran through him at the me

should be taken, might it be a day, a month, or a year. The game was worth the candle. He would play in this one according t

too earthly to succeed," volunteered Parkins after a lengthy pause. "What can y

Sawyer, with lips tightened. "Perhaps M

eat thinkers, Edison, Lodge, and Conan Doyle. Edison is said to believe that he can invent an apparatus so delicate that it may record communications from the outsi

ut him. Parkins' face grew pale but he

actedly about the great dining hall, and into

Parkins' eyes opened wide, a

o-what! My God! Can it be true?" Then, glaring at Parkins, he exclaimed:-

half minute his eyes looked down upon the white damask table covering. When he raised th

of--" the sentence remained unfinish

undergone another experience. I have nothing to say on the subject and will beg that no questions be asked at this time. Let us have coffee and cigars, Jacques," said he, address

Dr. Sawyer to his host. He then turned his eyes upon Parkins, but that gentle

e voice, Mr. Parkins

omething, invisible to me. I heard no reply-see

lied Sawyer, sternly. "Sometimes old friendships d

composure well feigned. Glancing hastily toward Villar

fore replying. Then finally after du

s outside, gentlemen. I have wonderful outlook that will give us a glimpse of the rising of