Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-06-26
a rustic

VI E |! : .E!,.!HE:L.
1NCC4G~
MISS DACREs LOOKING IN OPEN
WINDOW.
the letters back very securely the
day before, for, lying fiat on the
floor, I again perceived that packet.
I took it up hastily, and withdrawing
one letter, I restored the packet
through the wide crack and then
pushed the bureau back again. I
then wondered, with the guilty con-
science of a novice in deceit, if Mr..
Beldon could by any possibility be
at home. But of course he was. My
day was his night. I went to the
door between the rooms and put my
eye to the keyhole. The keyhole
was dark. I could see nothing. 7
went out of the door, and round
through the hall, and tried the door
of my lower-back. what? What?
Coming" I heard. He was rather
slow in coming, and I waited. Final
ly he opened his door. I glanced
at the keyhole as I stood there. He
looked curiously at me as I did SO.
He seemed to be trying to repress
smile.
A piece of dark cloth was pinned
so that it hung over the key.
$50 you think am very secretive ?''
said he. 'T have no fancy for having
that girl in there peel1ing at me-"
81 am surprised sto see you at
home," said I, in sort of embar-
rassment.
surprised? Why? Didn't I say I
should be at home during the day?"
eyes," said I, $50 you did. 1 de-
clare I get so confused with you
and the lower-front- Dacres,
I mean-and my invalid aunt, and
Badly and G1orianna, not to speak of
the Hall, that THAT I don't know
which is the day-bird and which the
night-bird."
"Ah, the Hall! That's just exactly
something I want to speak to you
about. I hear that they have been
| putting the newspapers on the case,
and they're sort of detectives, you
know. I told old Haight that I was
| not willing to do any such work, es-
pecially as you had asked me not to,
| though I didn't tell him anything
about you, of course. I am in NOR
| tai dread that he will find out that
I am located out here close to the
Hall. Then he will think it the
easiest thing in the world for me to
| write the article he wants. Of
| course, I could do it, but then 1
should not be keeping my compact
| with you. don't want him to know
anything about it, so, if some re-
| porter comes out here, please don't
mention me or my connection with
| the Star Union
Certainly not,' said I; SCI appre-
ciate your kindness very much.''
"You are awfully good,'' said Mr..
| you'd get me into with the editors.
the paper. They think we must do
whatever job they put us on, regard
less of our feelings. I wouldn't have
| promised you. and as I like your
/
''Then it is better than you thought
it was going to be?'
ooh, yes-much better! The lady
in the front room hasn't disturbed
| me at all as yet. She did move her
furniture about good deal yester-
day"
''That was l." said I. land again
| this morning. I am extremely sorry,
| but the rooms must be swept some
| times, you know"
ITO change the subject" said Mr..
Beldon. who's that old lady that
came into my room last nigh? ''
Into your room! Why, were you
at home? Oh, yes! remember you
said you should take nights rest.
Why, I'm sure can't tell you. You
must have been dreaming 1t must
| have been Gforianna, if anyone, but
she-',
ooh, no, know her; she's the man
of Baldy's house. isn't she? Oh. no,
not Glorianna at all. It was a large,
| heavy old lady
ssThere is absolutely no one,'' said
I. ssMy aunt is indeed large and
heavy, but, unfortunately, she cannot
move. She is an invalid, and cannot
get up without help, and then not
without great PAIN
.sThen," said Mr.. Beldon. ssyour
house is haunted