The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-08-22

brigand, some that he is an ex-pirate, others
that he 10 connected with a gang Of counter
feiters or horse-thieves."
g How many have they in the familyf'
~ don't know. There was whito- faced
woman once seen at tho window, but some
one pulled her back A few weeks ago
report went about that pretty girl had
been seen through crack in the old garden
wall, but the tall D.an with long black
whiskers came out, and IN u voice of thunder
drove her to the house, and the young fell
low who saw her ran away
This gosspy old maid furnished him much
news and information. Her poetic cffusion
was of no value, but she unconsc!ou3ly gave
him many items which he, unsccl, noted on
his rle.iorandun book.
One evening Allen was working late in
the Office reading proof. All hands, save
Toby, who remained to sweep, had gone
home. A tall man with loag back whisllers
and gray eyes entered tho onicc, His man
ner was SO singular as to strike the now ed
tor with surprise. His bearing indicated
that he belonged to different sphere than
Turley's Point.
"Iwant to subscribe for you: paper,n he
said, in a deep, mysterious voice. "What is
the subscription price for ycar!n
"Ono dollar and fifty cants,n The tall
foreign-loolsing man threw the money on
the table. "What is the name and ad-
drcssi" Allen asked, opening his subscrip-
ton book.
"Send it to X. Y. e., post-oEace box AL"
answered tho tall stranger, and then, with
out another word, stalkei away from the
Office.
"Who is that man, Tobyi" the astounded
editor asked, watching the rcceding form
through the window.
al don't know nobody klows," Toby
answered. "Hos the mysterious man who
lives in the big house on tho hill" I.
CHAPTER Ill
SOME DIABoLCAL vERsE-PoLlTICAL AMI.
TIoSs.
Allei sprang to his feet and FASTENED 10
the door, Twilight shades were deepening
into darkness, yet he could distinguish the
Outline of the tall man hurrying up the hill
side road. There was something so fas.
cinating in the mystery surrounding the
stranger that Allen felt strong inclina-
ton to follow and learn moro of him.
"Toby, were you ever in that stone house
on the hins" he asked
"No, sir" Toby answered.
"What do you know about it."
Muffin much" was the evasivo re
sponse.
docs he often como to the villagei"
mo"
"Well, if ,ou know any thing about those
people Tell it to mel
Toby shrugged his shoulders, cast an un
easy look about him, and said;
"Talnt much know, and faint much
want to know"
"Tell me just what you do know, and al
that you've heard of it
1--WE been to the house two or three
times" said Toby, in an awc-inspirinl
whisper. But thar's great high wal
all round it, so one can't sec inside. Tomrl,
Miles once peeped through The backyard
wall, and says he saw the prettiost girl h
ever set eyes on in his lie. People say thel
kill folks up at that big house,
when was the hor5o bailt!' askct
Allen, hoping to bring thc boy back from
| speculation, TO answer facss.
II duno,n Toby answered. Twas lon;
aforc was born"
ado you know who built it,''
"No I've heerd ma say it was built b,
sosao rich people who lived there long age
and then left.n
"aow long have these people lived here
Toby!n
at S only been few C.cnth3 since the
cornc back the last time. They wont he
nothln' to do with us, an we uns don't he
nothin' to do with en-"
Where did they cc;~c frnlE'
"No 'un knows. The hoSSc Id bee
vacant, except two old people stayed Their
and kinder TUX kecr o'.it. The nan wa
cross en- woaldn'; talk nuthin but French
an tic cid woman WIS dcSf and dumb Tn
hey, used TO try to git l. the orchard, bg
| IT. c'd fellcr came out with : Gun an swo-
| in fyTren langnace ct 'c.n. an skcered 'el
so bad they wouldn't go nigh it. The
i,,la7's been some awful sights seen thar ,
nis,.ts,'' concluded Toby, shuddering.
q What were theyl'
s.Tc.L Tommy Miles said he hoped b