Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-09-02
ence leaned down toward MIN.

treating form, then slowly began to re-
trace his steps. He had gone but a
short distance when he stopped and
looked toward my house, then again
turned and came back.
] watched him from behind the cur
tains, AS he approached near saw
his clothing was wet and bedraggled,
which plainly showed that he had been
out in the recent shower.
He came up to the house in hesitate
ing way, CHANGING all around furtively,
and was about to pass up into the yard,
when / leaned from the window and
hailed him.
"Halloo, there! what's up? What do
you want?" / demanded.
CHANGING up at me with his stupid
stare, he spoke, "When you want to
send anything away by freight, have it
at the station before nine o'clock in the
morning" he said, in the celebrating
way of one who is compelled to manu-
facture speech on the spur Of the
moment.
us that all you wish to say to me?
You didOnot come all the way from Sid
ington to tell me that2" l inquired,
caustically.
"Why, no." he began, glancing all
around, as though seeking for his
words in the surrounding objects. 81
I thought perhaps you didn't know
that-that-a-are you having good
timer?
"A most enjoyable time indeed, )" I ex-
claimed, enthusiastically, If somewhat
sarcastically. Just such time as
1 needed-restful, quiet, and perfect
peace"
Just trace of smile seemed to fit
across his face at my words.
"0h! then there is nothing the mat
ter with the placer" he asked, GU
riously.
I was considerably surprised at this
question. II should say not. What
should be the matter with it?" asked.
"Some folks say it's kind O. queer
like. Some say dead people use the
house at nights for meetings." he re-
piled, sinking his voice down low, and
glanclng around nervously.
"Is that SOP Well, let them. AS
long as the dead ones don't disturb me,
1 am sure have no objection. What
part of the house are the spirits sup
posed to frequent?" asked, a thought
of the walled cellar coming to me.
The fellow seemed trifie clustered,
I thought, by my sudden question. He
gave vent to q nervous laugh, and ut
the same time darted sharp glance
at me, which, momentnry as it was,
nevertheless was so different from his
usual half-wondering stare that l was
impressed by it.
"Oh, don't know what part of the
house is used by the spirits. How
should I know2"
There had been something irritating
to me in the fellow, and, MS there was
a hint of insolence in his last words.
l gave way to my impntience.
"See here; you have given me some
strange hints about my house." I be-
gan sternly; "now, then, you'll please
explain more fully what you mean,
Mr.. Hunter, or perhaps, should say,
Mr.. Skinner"
I do not know what impelled me to
add the name which Sonntag said was
the correct one, but the effect on the
fellow startled me considerably.
His eyes grew staring, and terrified,
hunted expression came over his face.
CHANGING furtively around and draw
ing back step or two, his hand went
to his hip-pocket.
AS the CLINT of n shining object
caught my eye, drew suddenly back to
one side of the window, and the next
instant pistol report sounded out.
I stood still o moment, dumfounded
by the attack, then dropped on my
hands and knees and crept past the win
dow to the table, in the drawer of which
I had placed my pistol. Hastily grasp
ing the weapon and noting that it was
ready for use, arose and approached
the window, holding the pistol before
me in readiness.
1.-TWO can play tyour game, Mr.. -"
But I got no further. The man was no
where to be seen. i
/ hastened from the house and ran
around, searching for him, but no trace
could 1 discover. He had vanished COM
pletely. His sudden disappearance
puzzled me.
I soon gave up the search, put the piss
toll inmy pocket, and started briskly up
the road toward the Morley place.
If the station agent was such des-
perate fellow as to draw and shoot at
word, what could Florence have to do
with him?
1t was strange that Sonntag should
know the fellows right name and not
know the danger attendant on calling
him by 1t. My lawyer had seemed sur
prised when I stated that the fellow
had told me his name was Hunter. In
all probability Sonntag had addressed
him by the name of Skinner many
times, and the fellow had not resented
it, or the lawyer would have mentioned
the fact. Why, then, should he resent