Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-06-14

ney Wnen was going over the ac-
counts with her, but paid it on the
chance that it was correct. In this
/ was not mistaken, for, although I
never saw John Carney again except
for an instant, ] did see the identical
"a bottles, empty, Of course, in the
cellar at Carney-Croft.
1t was more than three years after
the death of the old gentleman and the
stable boy, and l had gone back to the
place to arrange for its opening after
1t had been closed for the greater part
of that time.
John Carney had remained at Car.
ney-Croft only long enough to have a
short visit with his sister and put to
rights his own personal effects, and
then, accompanied by Bobbs he had
departed for a tour of the world or
goodness knows where. | heard from
either him or Bobbs at varying inter.
walls, and on strictly business matters,
and the only way had of addressing
him was through banking house In
London which was kept fairly we'll in.
formed as to his whereabouts.
Miss Weston's health improved suf-
fciently to permit her travelling, and
she continued to reside with Miss Car
ney, who took furnished apartment
In town, as her brother and | had ad.
vised her to do. Later they travelled
considerably abroad, and finally settled
down for a protracted 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 consump-
ton.
As have said, more than three years
had passed when ! received a most I'm.
expected communication from Miss
Carney saying that she had decided to
return home at once, bringing Miss
Weston with her. She asked me to
have Carney-Croft made ready for oc.
cupancy with as little delay as pos
sible.
l had had no vacation that summer,
and it occurred to me that, instead Of
attending to the matter at long range,
l would go down myself for a week
or two and give it my personal at
tention.
| arrived on day that was almost a
counterpart Of the one that saw my
first visit to Carney-Croft, and at the
station, l was received with scant
show OF welcome by the man who
had taken me down in his trap before
and entertained me on my return Jour
ney with anecdotes of old Mr.. Carney
and a tale of ghosts.
Want teh go daown teh tn place,
s'pose," he grumbled.
We rode along in silence until we
reached the gates, when, as | was un.
locking them with key from the big
bunch that had brought with me. be
unbent enough to say; Don't look
much like it ulster, here"
He was quite right. The grass stood
knee high on the lawns, the road
beds and paths were choked with
weeds, and the asphalted walks. lead
ing from the front and sides of the
mansion, and winding gracefully down
under the trees to the river. were
blanketed under the leaves and other
accumulations of three long years.
The man waited until | had unlock.
ed the front door, which swung in.
ward with the ftful creaking of dis.
use, and then asked: "D' We want me
teh waltz"
"Oh, no." l replied. Not at all"
"All right" he returned, clucking to
his horse, I'll tell Hoskins teh save a
room fur We, an it hain't much of a
walk frum here, anyhow"
Hold on" l shouted, as he was
turning the corner. Don't do any
thing of the sort! I'm going to sleep
here tonight. If | can find any lights
and manage to turn on the water.
don't want to sleep at Hoshus' un.
less | have to, but I'll be over there
for breakfast in the morning.
His expression of amazement was
wonderful to behold, as he pulled his
horse down on Its launches to hear
me through. Then, with a grin, he
chuckled: wal, it's gol dummed little
sleepin' yell do, I'll warrant" AID he
drove on up the road"
l wandered over the house, raising
windows and opening shutters to let
In the light and air and then, making
frugal lunch Of some things | had
purchased on the train for this pur.
pose, lighted cigar and, drawing
chair out on the veranda, watched
the sunset far away over the river and
waited for bedtime.
had no doubt that my rustic
friends establishment at my determin-
alton to sleep in the house was found
ed upon the twaddle over ghosts that
was begun in the village three years
before, and l rather welcomed this
idea for | felt that the more preva-
lent 1t became the less likelihood
would there be of undesirable prowl.
ers about the place.
The room l chose for the night was
the one l had occupied on the occa.
sion OF my former visit and, after max.
ing up my bed in true bachelor fash.
ion, with bedding which had no trou-
L.