Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1903-01-29
The
Graphie's IS

StdiluS an 0Iu-t3SnlQned house OF grand
proportions, walled in by trees and
shrubbery so that passers by seldom
get glimpse of the dwelling itself.
The house has history, the owner be
ing un-American enough to prefer a
residence abroad, leaving the home
stead-as an heirloom-to fall into dis
use under the slovenly care of a Mex
lean half-brecd, who had come into its
service in her youth and had grown
old in the place. The most of her days
had been passed there alone, but of
iate years she had given her home
TO a vagrant relative like herself a
half-breed and as worthless as the
mixture usually is when of Mexican
graft
NOW word came that Horace Lugren.
the owner OF the house, was coming
home, bringing with him on his way
his nephew, Jack Lugren, who was
also his heirat-law. There was con
sternation then on the part of old Ma
lita, for it meant that she would be
turned out of home that had shell
tered her since her early youth, when
she came from the foot of Mount Or
lzaba, which she had never again be
held. The half-breed relative was sent
out of the way, for old Malta did not
desire to have Manuel meet her en-
ployer. who was master in his own
house, so she kept him apart from Mr.
Lugren, fearful a quarrel might arise
at any time between the two men, for
the despOtic spirit of the one and the
sullen, insolent disposition of the 9th
er We're temperamentally antagonistic.
So in his brief visit at his own dwell
ing Mr.. Lugren saw nothing of tue
swarthy intruder. And if he knew
or surmised that he was about he
asked no questions. There were rea-
sons why on this subject he did not
care to stir up dissension.
THE house seems to have been
stripped, the uncle had remarked to
his nephew after a close inspection;
you must remember those tapestry
hangings-not shred of one is left
Have you asked Malta about
them?' inquired young Lugren indif-
ferently-he took little interest in
the musty hangings of the old house.
D Malita.a said the older man,
savagely, and as he spoke the door
opened and the head of the woman
in question was thrust in.
sYe call, senor??n she asked in rasp-
ing tones
NO. And if catch you listening
again at that door I'll wiring your neck
as if you were a parrot-you hear, Ma
Iita?"
Malta looked at him with an evil
eye Her malignant black hair, un-
softened by a thread of gray, seemed
to twist and Writhe as she waggled her
head and drew her fingers across her
throat i'll a horribly suggestive man !.
ner. Then she gave a cackling little
laugh and withdrew. closing the door
With noiseless violence
Later in the evening the old man
and the young parted, after a game
of cribbage we'll pleased with each F,
other. The bachelor uncle was fond
Of his nephew as it was possible for
him to be of anyone. and the young
greed of possession coming between
them. He was a civil engineer in re-
eeipt of a government salary, and had
no need for dead mems shoes.
Yet there We're not wanting people
to shake their heads and look mystic
Tious when on the following morning
Mr.. Lugren was found dead in his
bed. and Jack Lugrens grief went for
Iaught with them, and old Malta
NOT so old but that her eyes were
bright as beads-shook her weird head
and muttered in choice Mexican ar
got, and crossed herself with plous
could tell much if she would. But
The police found no evidence of VIC
lent death. and the doctor said the
look OF horror on the face was the