The sun., 1909-02-21
"A TAWDREY HOUSE
The Footsteps.

Only 80 alert and capable "ioo" |
as Mrs. Ladelle could have succeeded
in waylaying that vanishing man our
proprietor. He was 30 indisoreet as TO
st ep for an instant from his fsstness be-
hind the safe to the rail for match and
she pounced on him like somewhat
adipose goddess from q clear sky.
happened to bes canning the registry
80 could not help but hear
I'VE like your house, as you have good
reason to know. MIR. Flewoonib,' began
the widow. her hand on his arm, but
really shall be obliged to go. lease or
no lease. unless this nuisance is abated.
Gene We've. poor girl, didn't sleep wink
and 10 quite i'll in consequence
"Yesi" interposed Mr.. Flewoomb in
differently. we should all miss you
both. Mrs Ladelle. but our waiting list
is 80 long that we don't bother TO add
TO it, or course the lease would be
little matter for the lawyers to settle
You will excuse me now. have an
important engagement
The grip on his arm frightened.
aYou wouldn't like II. yourself half
sobbed Mrs. Ladelle, 'to have your rest
broken and your nerves racked by the
incessant tramp. tramp. overhead OF Q
lame man. OF course. II you would as
sign us to suite A. third floor
There came a look on Mr.. Flewcomb's
face that had never seen there before.
not even at the time Of the great fire when
most Of his insurance was expired;
gray and sickish look like the shade on
a pasty taken prematurely from the oven
He gulped, then gasped:
"You surely don't mean Mr.. Blauvelt?'
From IL until ? this morning he never
let up.- declared Mrs. Iadelle stoutly.
Pound, pound thump, thump; you
might better have q pile driver in the room.
We went away for a week, Genevieve and
T, lust to avoid il. and now the very night
OF our return II is worse than ever; and
vet you talk about waiting lists and law
yersl- She wept, incautiorsly raising
her hand from his arm.
@You shall have the suite on the
third floor, Mrs. Ladelle. those you have
wanted for so long cried Mr.. Flewcomb,
breaking away; -and at the same price.
III have you mo we'd at once. Of course
say nothing about the cause. We want
no trouble at the Tawdrey House. Then
the safe the widow swept away with a
ma iestir ally gratifled air.
Directly abe was gone the scared goat
popped out from the other side Of the
safe and 'motioned TO me. ! found him
at his desk in the innernost shrine. where
even an angel. that is star boarder,
would fear TO tread.
Il needn't ask whether you overheard.
Sniffen." he began. all the more unpleas-
antly for the quaver in his voice.
Il wasn't Interested" answered
iciy. There wasn't much point TO
yo,ir wrangle---"
The point is this said Mr.. Flewcomb
slowly and solemnly. sJool Blanvelt.
grave. He died three days ago, Didn't
How would I know when YOU hustle
out a dead guest like victim OF the
plague? Resides. had no ACQUAINTANCE
with the man. ] never saw him. But
you don't mean-
Il do mean lust what | say He died |
suddeulv:. he had no friends or kin that
we could learn Of. 50 Of course the under |
taker took charge at once. He kept |
his room for the most part, being dis |
figured as we'll az lame through some
accident and by the Lord he's keeping
Vt vet; the, he's s,spn keeping oys It yet, ~ man
well. YOU know Mrs Ladelle: she isn't |
the sort to spring any fool yarn; and
Genevieve her dau ghter. a good sensible |
girl. engaged to young Cosgrove and all
that. here is something mysterious. and |
you must help me investigate
What have I got to do with your
seances?"
you have had something 10 do with |
il. rs YOU hove with everything else hfp-
pening in this house. Come, Srifer. you /
ere RI old pe etron: you don't went the Trw- !
drew House tn got spooky r"me. Wstch .
With me tonight in the room tibet the L.
delles will vCcate. watch Hrd listen for
yourself you are not Gfreid.
Perhs ps wasn't, but rs 1? o. clock kept
getting nearer the less liked it. De-
spite the lavish refreshments Mr. Flew
comb he'd provided the evening ives q
melhrcholy time.
He dwelt erdIessly on the persor-l tr its
of the departed BleIve,t. his t"citurritv.
his seclrsiveress, the securities or which
he received such dividends AID vet the
me- greress of his visible estste, scarcely
sufficient for the burirl: seemingly tor
mertirg himself bv depictirg hir, in the
cle.rest, most district lines possible.
For ell thrt.- he ssid doggedlv. IL
should rrther believe he he'd rever been
here at I'll thCn TO believe that he can be
here now,
just ther the church clock rround tho
corner struck 12-a funereal piece OF
with manv echoes.
Even while these echoes kept coming
rrd goirR seemed 10 catch among them
O. different sound.
When they ceased Flew comb end
set stcring st each other rgGpe. Some
one wcs paoirg the floor directly over
head with irregular gait; pourd. pound.
thumb. thrmp. with a break between.
like the old school game Of dot ard skip
one.