The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1889-01-30

" Who are yOus w no are yOus' he asked
himself again and again as the vision rosa
before his mind. Ten thousand tormentinr
fonds seemed constantly aggravating h;p9o
with their doubts and fears.
"T will know the worst" he declared 20
himself. eff have to beard the lion in his
den, will know ALL
The stranger from Billy's Creek was for
ootten. so wholly was Allen absorbed with
thoughts ofgthe stone house on the hill Tho
rustic bully had grown weary with cursinr
and striking the air, and, as no one seemed
IN dispute his title to be the best man nm
Dirt, he left the village, to carry to his
friends q wonderful story of how he had
nadc the editor quail
The editor, meantime, sat in oblivion of
his existence, when he was startled bya
sob. Looking around, he was not little
surprised to see Miss Leethy Hopkins stand
ing lust within the door.
Why, Miss Hopkins, are you here3" the
wondering editor asked
"Ah, are you hurts" she sobbed, hysteric.
ally.
"No," he answered, in astonishment.
ooh, THAT is-sir-I was afraid that
violence had been done you," gasped Miss
Hopkins, sinking into chair
81 assure you that am uninjured."
"But he looked so furious!"
"There is little danger in looks"
"And l had such dread of him."
che is gone now, and can do you no in
jury" said the editor, misinterpreting the
old maid.
ooh, Mr.. Gray, II would not have had
him iniure you for the world, and we were
talking so pleasantly too, when he came
in"
$50 we were," returned Allen. 81 be-
lieve we were talking about the mystery of
Turley's Point, were we note"
mo, no-oh, you rogue, you know about
what we were talking" said Miss Leethy
wiping her eyes and blushlng profusely be-
hind her handkerchief.
If he comprehended Miss Hopkins he did
not pretend to, but in cool, even voice
said:
81 was gong to ask you something about
|. that old house on the hill"
"Don't you know it is forbidden topic?"
eyes, generally it ISL he answered, with
asigh. 1T is not every one that 1 would
talk with on this subject, but as we have
occasionally exchanged confidence on other
subjects, we might on this'
ooh, of course" She managed to blush
quite profusely now, and coyly pinching at
the folds of her dress, gathered them down
AACO AnAAOW P1OAOS'
81 thought you would be willing to tell me
all you knew about the Natter
"Oh, yes.n
She sighed and gave him glance from
the corner of her eyes.
sWhat is the name of the man who lives
in the stone house?" Allen asked, without
noticing her look or making an effort W
translate it. ar5at,
''Some say it's Collins Jfrhg like De Col
big French Uney say is his real name, and
tnat he took the name of Collins in place of
it, because it is easier to pronounce"
show many have they in family at the
rock house?"
THAT is very difficult to ascertain. Some
say there are several, others that there are
not many. They have good many servants,
but, as oil talk French, no one can find out
any thing from them.''
did 1T never strike you that there is a
great deal OF romance about this ingularly
mysterious old house on the hill?"
Eyes, sir, it has," she answered; ssand l
believe that it would be an excellent theme
for story"
1T might. What do you know of it?"
"Oh, not much.n
'"How long have you known that tall,
dark-whiskered mana"
Il don't know him at all.r
~ GU mean you have no formal acuuaint-
ance?"
''No, SIR"
How long since you first saw him9'
Three or four years ago."
lad ne been here before that time?"