Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-11

II "
nd the real estate agent sat in his little wooden
sentry.box his chair tipped back against the wall
his feet skillfuy poised on the edge OF MS oesh,
while his eyes were fixed pensiveiy on swinging
cobweb on the ceiling overhead ,
"Rusiness is awful dull this year. said the
real estate agent Never knew 1t so stagnant
"We'ye only let thirteen houses and sold two
this season." said his clerk, VINO perIormeu Ine
additional duties of oficeboy and sold Goals and
wood on commission, and who was just now sur
repttiously reading novel behind the iat 1oios
of the ledger. -
nothing but exchanges" sighed the agent
sFolks must move" said Eben Joyce, the clerk,
with cheerful alacrity. 49, , ~
Then why amt they about IL! saiu MI
Pratt, the real estate agent
At that very moment, however, a shadow DARK
ened the square of yellow April sunshine tnat
doing its best to gid the unswep. nool. go
portly old gentleman, with gold-headed cane
a buff waistcoat, and a clean-shaved double cnin'
stood on the threshold.
rs this Mr.. Philo Pratts once! salo ne.
The real estate agent scrambled to his feet al
once your most obedient, sir" said ne, while the
clerk pocketed the novel and tried to look very
busy indeed "How can have the pleasure oil
"pm going to move" said the stranger.
.'Indeed!" said the agent. busily rubbing his
hands together
t,aman .My name is Drake. I'm tired Of the
city, and contemplate an entire change OIL 10
cation"
Just So, said the agent lnos' eAoo'Ae'
idea"
And" added Mr.. Drake, 81 wish to rent de-
srable residence for one year, with the priViiese
of purchasing. Can you recommend any sucn!
"Joyce" said Mr.. Pratt catching up his nat
harness the horse at once, and see that the Dug
CIV top is properly busted off and the wheels free
Of mud Any such, my dear sir? Scores OF
SUCH The neighborhood of AMMAN water is 50
to speak, alive with en-.
RiIt late in the afternoon the old horse and his
two passengers came back weary ana oispiri.eu' leu
Not one of the desirable places SHOWN py MI
Pratt had suited the stout ola sentiehlahs va
PRECIOUS fancy.
"I'm sure, sir, don't know what more you
can ask" said the real estate agent, almost IN
despair
II can't make you comprehend my idea," said
the old gentleman, in passion. Il don't want
any of these new-fangled villas and modern Dand-
boxes want Antiquity l want Age must
have something mysterious, secluded, out of the
common channel. Do | succeed In making my
self understood?
Them amt the kind of houses we have o on
our list" said the real estate agent, in some dis
gust But the clerk looked up from the slate on
which he had been conducting private game OF
fox and goose. 80
How would Desperation Hall do, sir?, said
he. in a confidential under-tone to his principal
"Desperation HALL" repeated Mr.. Pratt, aghast
Desperation Hall!-a taking name, that?" said
the old gentleman, eagerly, Where is IL? wnat Is
it?"
"It's antique enough to suit any one," said
Mr. Pratt, slowly chewing straw, and tumble
down enough. and mysterious enough; but don't
s,nose any one would want to live in it."
81 should s'pose it just the sort OF place
the gentleman would want, sir" said Eben Joyce,
plausibly.
means" said Mr. Drake seizing his god-headed
cane and replacing his hat on his head.
But it's almost dark, sir" pleaded the real
estate agent.
..Hang the dark" exclaimed the stout old gen.
tleman.
".If thou woudst view fair Melrose Alright,
IA hx,< <ha roonIfQht'