The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-17

cupied by Mr.. Liffey In old-fashioned
evening dress. and by a blum. handsome
young man with a distinguished air
and a military appearance. This. as l
guessed, was Arthur Tregarth, and so
he introduced himself
The mater and Maud will be down
soOn." he remarked. wheeling a chair
for me close TO the fire. Il expect you
had dull Journey
AT first / had. Mr. Tregarth. hut
when 1 left Devonshire was enter
tanned by an archaeologist, who told
me a lot about this house"
.'Wastney." said Mr.. Liffey. resting
his chin on his hand. and beaming AS
usual Michael Wastney. He knows
all about old houses
He knows about this one, at all
events" said /, cheerfully.
What did ne say?''
He told me about the river
"Ah. bah! That's al nonsense" said
Arthur. uneasiIy.
Il don't think So put in Liffey.
quietly. The river IS fatal to many
of your house. Tregarth, and also to
visitors at times. and the Librarian
looked at me till felt uncomfortable.
Mrs. Tregarth came in then. with
Maud Penworthy. She was an ex-
tremely beautiful girl. but with rather
a sad air
Il am so glad you have come" said
Miss Penworthy to me. and taking my
hand. Il want a companion of some
thing near my own age"
You have Arthur said Mrs. Ire
garth. shortly.
And I desire no one better" re-
Piled Maud. as soon began 10 call her.
But a girl needs a girl"
Next day Maud took me over the
house. II was a beautiful old place
mellowed by time into a perfect whole.
The celebrated river flowed past the
east wall and the windows looked dl-
rectly onto its waters The upper part
of the house was empty. and had the
reputation Of being haunted.
There is a haunted room in the east
tower" Maud said. 1T has red door
and is kept locked Whosoever sleeps
there never comes out alive"
What are they supposed 20 die off"
They kill themselves" she whispered
They throw themselves into the liver
But such a thing has not happened for
years. The last person who tempted
fate In this way was Mr.. Tregarth. He
slept in the room. and rushed out in the
night TO drown himself"
did anyone find him IN the river2''
Yes; but no one saw him fall in.
expect he threw himself in during tho
night. That Is ten years ago. and since
then Mrs. Tregarth has kept the room
| locked. A white pigeon Is said TO appear
when Tregarth dies. one was seer
/ fiuttering IN the library the night before
Mr.. Tregarth drowned himself"
lie then spoke OF other things Maud
told me that she loved Arthur, and, with
/ the approval OF the mother, was tC
marry him in a few months
Dir. IAffey quarreled frequently with
Mrs. Tregarth and ] often wondered
that she did not dismiss him. The fac
I that he had been "A school friend OF tn,
! late Mr.. Tregarth was probably why h,
/ remained. But one day he apparently
went too far. although I did not know
at the time why he quarreled so VIC
lently with Mrs. Tregarth. Maud after
ward informed me.
| Mr.. Liffey is going" she said alb
rUptly.
Dear me. ! thought he was quite
| fixture here"
| Maud nodded. He has been here fo
| the last thirty years. che said, an,
Mrs Trcgarth. out of regard for her lat,
husband, has put up with his humors
But Mr.. Lirey," here her eyes flashed