The daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 190?-1908, 1908-11-09

heated, and Mrs. Todd was the soul
OF cleanliness The dodgers, too,
were in keeping with the housc-a
teacher, ono or two working women
and several plcasantspokcn young |
young men, who made little mneccs.
sary noise and paid their rent prompt. |
ly All in all. fortune had smiled ON |
Mrs Todd since. in early widowhood |
she had taken this lodging house as a |
means OF livelihood. Yet there Mas !
one grain of anxiety in her cup of
happiness
"Three.nights.fIo at the top of
the house, was. To all appearances, n
most desirable room. All day long the
sun shonc into II and its windows
gave pleasant outlook across the
chimney pots of the houses opposite.
II had u new carpet and very tidy cur
tains. but, despite these attractions,
"three-fights-fro was seldom Uccu-
pied for any length of time.
Various young men had rented H.
and once young woman had stayed
IN il for nearly three weeks. In each
case, 'hCwcver, the lodgcr had decided
to change quarters rather suddenly,
and had sought out Mrs. Todd and
more or less haltingly and shame
facodly had given his reason for lcav.
ing. The landlady was sure. from
their actions. that they preferred to
keep the real reason to themselves,
though what IL might be she was I'M
able to surmise. Many times when
the room was vacant she herself had
occupied IL for a night. but nothing
occurred TO disturb her in the least
After the ninth occupant had paid
his rent In tho middle OF the week
and departed, bag and baggage, she
decided TO sift the matter thoroughly
| To this end she moved up To the
| front room at the top of the house,
| prepared to meet ghost or demon, or
whatever Il was that was depriving
an honest woman of the rent of a
| good room. One morning. two weeks
later she moved down again, rather
white and shaken.
II shall never sleep in that room
again." she said to Jane, her maid of
all work, and as she would not dis
cuss the matter further, IL was
dropped.
Thereafter, when prospective lodg-
ers applied TO her II no other room
was vacant, Mrs. Todd would say:
Il have one, e-nights-front, but
really don't believe you want IT,"
and generally this was sufficient to
send them away.
one day there came a brisk young
man, and as the ill.starred room was
the only one she had, Mrs. Todd made
her usual response To his inquiry.
The young man happened TO be of the
persistent type. He inquired the
price and other particulars and ended
by asking 10 see the room. He seemed
quite satisfied with il. In fact he so
expressed himself in no uncertain
terms. Mrs. Todd hesitated.
Before you take it, she said. Il
must tell you there's something-well
queer about IT,"
'Ghost?" said the young man. cheer
fully. ''lf that's it I'd like TO meet
him"
Mrs. Todd shook her head.
Not exactly that" she said. "Stil
something decidedly unpleasant"
"Pshaw." said he. there's nothing
unpleasant about this ROOM" and hC
handed ont weeks rent.
In this way John Knox. mcdica
student, began his occupancy of Mrs
Todd's fiights-front." 4 weel
two weeks-went past, and nothing
unusual occurred Tuesday of Tho
third week, Knox raped on the parlol
door. Mrs. TOdd's face wore an anx
ious expression as he entered.
i've found IT," he said, laconically
What" exclaimed Mrs. Todd, mo
the-the Noise?"
Yes" answered Knox, tersely a.
usual. "gas globel"
We'll, declare," said the land
lady. II never could locate IL. How
often have you heard ~"
Twice he replied. First time
heard II was night before last. !
started up that Internal drone abou
ten. Hunted all round before coul,
place Il. Can't account for il. Cal
your"
Mrs. Todd shook her head hclr
lessly.
AT II again last night" Knox con
tinued Il shut on the gas and stune
the globe with absorbent cotton. Tha
stopped II. Then ] got curious an,
, took il out Every time ! unloaded IN
cotton, on IL would go like the whin
Of cello. Sometimes IL swelled am
sometimes it sank. Deuced II coul
: find out what made IT,, I'm not bI
, superstitious but III tell YOU frankl
| somehow don't enjoy IT,"
Again Mrs Todd shook her head
She half expected him To- pay hi
rent and leave. as the rest had done
But Knox was Of different calibe
and said:
I'm bu another globe and see
e makes any difference"
Mrs. Todd frightened up
The next day Knox brought up