Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-06-15

walls, and on strictly business matters.
and the only way had OF addressing
him was through a banking house IN
London which was kept fairly we'll in
formed as to his whereabouts.
Miss Westons health improved suf-
ficiently TO permit her travelling. and
she continued to reside with Miss Car
ney. who took a furnished apartment
in town. as her brother and I had ad-
vised her 10 do. Later they travelled
considerably abroad. and finally settled
down for protrscted stay at a little
village on the Mediterranean coast In
the hope OF benefting the health OF
Miss Weston. who. as afterward
learned, was suffering from consurnp.
ton.
As have said. moro than three years
had passed when received a most un-
4 expected communication from Miss
Carney saying that she had decided 70
( return home at once. bringing Miss
3 Weston with her. She asked me to
have Carney-Croft made ready for oc-
F cupancy with as little delay as pos
sibie.
had had no vacation that summon.
and il occurred 90 me that instead Of
attending 20 the matter az long range.
would 80 down myself for 3 week
/ or two and give it my personal at
I tention-
I arrived on a day that was almost a
| counterpart OF the one that saw my
, FIRST visit to Carney-Croft, and at the
/ station. I was received with scant
show OF welcome by the man who
4 had taken me down in his trap before
and entertained mo on my return Jour
noy with anecdotes OF old Mr.. Carney
and a tale OF ghosts.
Want teh go daown teh tn place.
I s'Pose." he Erumbled.
We rode along ia silence until we
reached the gates. when. as was un-
locking them with a key from the big
! bunch that I had brought with me. he
unbent enough % say: Don't look
much like It ulster. herei"
He was quite right. The grass stood
knee high on tho lawns. tho road
beds and paths we're choked with
weeds. and the asphalted walks. lead
ing from the front and sides Of the
mansion. and winding gracefully down
under the trees 20 tho river. were
bianketed under the leaves and other
Accommodations OF three long years.
The man waited until had unlock
ed the front door which swung In
ward with the dtful creaking Of dis
use. and thon asked. % ye want me
teh waltz
"Oh. no." ! replied. Not at all"
"Au right" he returned. olucking 20
his horse. -Tn tell Hosklns ten save 4
room fur ye, an Il hain't much OF ?
walk frum here, anyhaow"
Hold on" ] shouted. as be was
turning the corner. Don't do any
Ching OF the sort! I'm going 70 sleep
here tonight II can and any lights
and manage 70 turn on the water.
don't want 10 sleep ut Hoskina' IN
less / have 10. bet I'll be over there
for breakfast IN tho morning
His expression OF amaEement wa
wonderful to behold. as he pulled hi.
1 horse down on its launches 70 hear
I me through. Then. with a grin. hs
ohuekled: Wal. is's gol dummed littlC
sleepin' yen do. I'll warrant and hs
/ O4p'o on Np tho road.
I wandered over the house. raisinr
windows and opening shutters 10 lei
In the light and air and then. makinl
a frugal lunch OF some things had
4 purchased on the train for this pur
pose. lighted q cigar and. drawing
n chair out on tho versnda. I watched
the sunset far away ovsr tho river and
waited for bedtime.
had no doubt that my rusti,
friends establishment at my determin
alton 20 sleep IN the house was found
ed upon the tvaddle over ghosts tina
was begun In the village three year.
before. and ! rather welcomed thi,
idea for / felt that the moro preva
lent II became the less likelihood
would there be OF undesirable pzovl
ers about the place.
The room I chose for the night wa.
tho ore had occupied on the occa
sion OF my former visit and. after max
fng mp my bed in true bachelor fash
ion. with bedding which I had no trou
bic In finding. I locked tho house Sc
curely and slept the sleep OF tn,
just.
aWoke suddenly, startled no doub
By a ray OF sunlight cleaning fairly
In my face. and. finding the day so fal
advanced, I sprang out OF bed thor
oughly refreshed by my sleep and ex
hilarated by tho crisp morning ali
that was blowing in through the win
dow. AS i threw back the sheet some
thing fell TO the floor; picking It up.
| found small. square envelope ad
dressed in a cramped and totally unfa
miliar hand:
Frederick Ware, Esq,
Carney-Croft-
tore IL open, and my astortsh
ment at its discovery was increased
ten fold by its contents. The note
| read:
As you love Florence Carney and hope
1 70 make her your wife, keep her aWay
ia -.