Dreamy Hollow: A Long Island Romance

ith plans by which he might get control of the Villard estate. A score of times he turned over in bed to escape the penalty of a sleepless night. Somewhere among the small hours appro

raint, and no sane judge would dare deny a writ of sequester to a next friend pending a period of isolation while awaiting the final decree of the Court. V

less than providential interference could defeat the plan. The first thing to be done was to select a lawyer of reputation and prestige. Until that was decided, no important step could be taken, except to find out how Sawyer would regard the situation. If he balked, naturally complication would ensue, but the lawyer Parkins had in mind

s, the servant who served the dinner, had witnessed Villard's excitement and understood the cause of it. He decided to find out about that matter on

ts and a night watchman soon surrounded him, the watchman holding an electric torch with which he flashed a flood of light into the face of the guest. Santzi, the Japanese attendant, and personal servan

ave tried to frighten me into your insane belief, but

ur digestion is off-you've had a bad dream! Don't give way to su

s crazy-not I. It's you that pretends to talk with dead people! In fact, it was you who put up this scheme to scare me

ess he had made of them. He demanded privacy from the servants that he might clothe himself and be ready to take his leave by first conveyance. He also demanded that

ve aroused within you, Drury. Of course you will acquit me of

the Parkins' voice. Several moments e

William? Tell me exactly

cked warmth, a fact that Parkins could

bedside-a woman's fo

-go

cold as ice. I tried to shout but my voice refused

in view?" demanded Villard, his eyes

like an hour!" he replied, his t

t talk-say any

up a hand as if warn

n to me. And that is true. You have lost your soul, William, and were you to die wi

repentance to any

'll have no nonsense of that sort! Another insult and

, Dr

ter Villard. Our intimacy is at an en

at the man on whom he had s

the time you reach there I shall have made up my

thought punched the button for Jerry, a colored

ties for both of you. Also arouse the housekeeper and tell he

ented himself a few moments later he was told to order out th

y," said Villard, and as Santzi started to obey, the master walked a

ture. If he tries to get out of the car just see that he doesn't. His mind is rather upset, because

d, sir," re

e sleep-but don't shut your eyes

l start back. Must

no real harm. See that he harms ne

ng came several servants, Santzi in advance, Jerry, Jacques, and Mrs. Bond, the housekeeper, who carried a hamper filled with food. Parkins had refused to partake of anything to eat

Call me up soon, I'll be glad to know that you have recovered. Don't try to report at the office to-morrow. I will phone up that you are no

ituation squarely in the teeth he cursed the drugs that had crazed him, and at once resolved to carry out orders. His future depended upon his acceptance of the suggestions offered, which, in fact, were orders. So tense were hi

e of rooms richly furnished and thoroughly equipped for the kind of life he led. Having slept all of the way home he had fairly recovered f

s thoughts. Patchogue was his destination, and the object of his haste was "the prettiest little country girl on Long Island!" He had promised her a trip to the great city, and her father was to

ftly-"and what a devilish cur I am growing

le on the sideboard and he rushed toward it and grasped it with trembling hands. This time he took several great swallow

then to Zim's place! Poor little motherless girl-never has been to the big town in all her life-and lives only fifty miles away! The old man can drift for himself, after his bus ride. Ye Gods! Long Islan

by the time he had shaved and dressed he looked the part of a well groomed gentleman. His eyes caught glimpses of the big black bottl

ew back his head and

ing which, he stepped over to where the bottle stood and took several swallows just to prove his assertion. Then, calling to

Williamsburg bridge on his way to a little house in the heart of P