The Minneapolis journal., 1903-09-18
BY MRS. C. N. WILLIAMSON,
Copyright 1903 BY the National Press Agency.


the farm, was dazzling, not to be refused.
Thomas and Elizabeth consulted together
as to whether it would be possible, with
out conspicuous and awkward attempts at
secrecy, to conceal the presence of dodgers
at the farmhouse If the newcomers were
willing to lead strictly retired life.
Finally, after considerable discussion of
pros and cons, the decision was in the
affirmative.
Evens the matter Of the lodgers' arrival
was arranged, and 1t was settled that the
recluse and his daughter should come into
residence at the end Of a fortnight paying
for their rooms month in advance.
This interview with young Mr. Dupont
had taken place in the month of March,
1S9s Early in April the new dodgers
appeared, conducted by the relative who
had arranged for their reception. They
drove, not from Mallery Tavy, or even
from Mavistock, but all the way from
town at a much greater distance-such a
distance that there was little fear of flying
gossip; and they arrived at night, when
no other carriages, carts, wagons,
bicyclists or pedestrians were passing that
way.
On the numerous boxes which accom-
panied the travellers were foreign labels,
evidently lately placed there; and the
brother and sister, as soon as they found
themselves able to talk alone, decided be-
tween them that their new dodgers had
come to them straight from abroad"
Old Mr.. Dupont they had scarcely a
chance to see, even for an instant, so
quickly was he whisked into the wing Of
the house where rooms had been prepared
for him. They got no impression of what
he was like, save for the picture Of bent
| figure In a black, capped overcoat, with the
collar turned up over the ears, and wide
| brinmed, soft hat Of a fashion strange to
them, which cast an impenetrable shadow
AZ As~.o L.
| posed.
Strangely enough, this picture did not
give place to another later on, tho months
| passed, and Mr.. and Mrs. Dupont still re-
manned at New-Take Farm for the broth
er and sister never saw that bent figure
again.
That such a thing could be would have
seemed impossible to them had not time
proved it's possibility. But the mystery
which surmounted one of their dodgers
was more easily kept up at New-Take
Farm than 1t would have been In most
| houses.
| On the night of young Mr.. Duponts first
call he had been shown the rooms which
Thomas and Elizabeth had at once
thought Of as suitable apartments to let.
To be sure they themselves occupied the
4 two bedrooms. which were the best in the
Ihouse and the sitting rooms were also in
iuse; but they were quite willing to move
into inferior quarters, and the big kitchen
would answer as a sitting room for them.
The young foreigner. however, had made
/ different plans, and insisted upon them.
There was wing at the left of the house
which 200 years ago had suffered severely
lin the great fire that had burnt nearly
half the manor house to the ground. What
was left having been sufficient for the
needs Of the humber people, who had
come afterwards to turn the place into q
farm, the partially destroyed wing had
never been rebuilt, and had grown more
ruinous with the passage of years.
Half the roof had fallen in, and the
upper rooms were uninhabfta BILE; but
save that the windows were unglazed
several rooms on the ground floor were
practically intact. Wood and Goals were
piled up in one. In another were potatoes
In a third old packing cases were stored
4 away.
4 Nothing could well have more desolats
than the appearance inside and out Of thi.
north wing, which, to make 1t still NOR,
Iunattractive, had the reputation of being
haunted. "A lady and her baby had beer
+ stified by the smoke In one Of the uppe
3 rooms on the night OF the great fire, ant
had perished there In agony. Ever since
i 1t was said, woman's shrieks and {
4 child's pitiful crying could be heard ii
the north wing on wild nights. when tn,
wind was high, as 1t had been during
the burning Of the manor house with tt