Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-26

had even a house warming up there,
though they've had carloads of furni-
ture and fixings. and stuff of one sort
and another-most of Ii shipped from
abroad. Besides, there was a heap of
old stuff left in the castle. You see, no
bodys lived in 1t except the watehman
for twenty years until these folks came
along. After old DeWitte was taAen
off to the asylum the castle stood
empty for ten years or more, so I'm
told, for, of course, that was long be-
fore my day in these parts. Then some
New York fool with p enty of cash
went there to live, but he couldn't
stand the ghosts and he quit In six
months. after dropp ng fortune. It's
been empty since then, up to last win
ter, and the heirs that owned 1t had
mighty hard work to get even a watch
man who'd stay there. The Boltwoods
were easy. They paid a big price for
the ruin. AS for Mildred Boltwood,
she's sumner! Gee whiz! but she's"
The mans familiar air Jared on Van
Tasel. 1t seemed like profaning some
thing sacred to apply such terms, even
In praise, to the beauteous creature
who had smiled so bewitchingly. True.
she had turned him out into the road to
sleep. without any dinner. but never
theless he would not hear her spoken of
III such manner.
Doesn't anybody ever go up there 2"
he interrupted.
Not society folks. A few foreign
looking individuals come here some-
times, as sober as judges. The castle
carriage meets them, and brings them
back. They look Dutchy."
MEM" asked Van Tasel, vaguely
hoping that the Dutch-looking individ-
uals might be women.
"Of course"
Then the operator grew confidential
in tone.
There have been other fellows, too,
hanging around the cliff lately. What
for. nobody knows. There have been
stories, but 1 don't believe 'em."
"Stories?'
Van Tasel had a sudden sinking spell,
remembering the strange man they had
met on the cliff.
"Oh," the operator went on, "a lo'
of stuff to the effect that the girls
some criminal from Europe who has
committed dark crimes, and whom the
police have been searching for all oven
the world. 1t does seem sort o.
strange that there'd be sleuthy fellows
sneaking around Cranium day and
night. However, I'll stand up for this
Botwood girl, every time. I'm hers
till death. And / like the old lady,
too. She's fine, stately, pompous old
girl-looks straight ahead and minds
her own business. Both of 'em do.
Miss Mildred goes down to New York
a good DEAL most always alone, but
sometimes with her ma or with some
o. those Dutchy fellows. Once she
gave me a smile-yum, yuml Wasn't
1t great! Yum!'
Van Tasel could have knocked the
man over for his familiarity. AS to
the gossip. he was still more impatient.
The idea of Mildred Boltwood being
criminal! 1t was too absurd even ia
be mentioned. The most stupid stu
dent of physiognomy would know
that at a glance. He had no doubt,
either, as to her blood and breeding
She was blue to the soles of her feet.
So great was Van Tasels disgust
with what the night operator had told
him that he cut the talk short.
What time does the next train &C
to New York;" he asked.
Tomorrow morning." was the
answer: "seven-thlrty a. M"
Van Tasel was getting the logical re-
suit of his gamble for adventure, but
he lost sight of the fact.
"The devill' he said. "Is there no
freight train. even, that might be
fiagged?"
"The next freight will be along in
three hours, but / couldn't flag 1t for