Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-20

spoke with pride as he pointed to a cot
tage opposite the rear of the station. AN
that's my wife on the p'azzie. Here,
Eliza Ann. this stranger is a-goin' to
wait while Hank bitches up to take him
to Overlook
declined the proffered chair and seated
myself on a step. Hutton disappeared
Immediately, and Mrs. Hutton continued
to sway placidly to and fro in her. big
chair. her plump hands crossed upon her
ample stomach. Presently she spoke.
Overlook amt so much OF place now
the old mans gone" she said.
Il dare say it has run down"
An they do say over village way It's
too. Who'd want to live there, I'd like
to know"
laughed
'I think I shall not mind. I've taken
1t for q time" / answered.
The old lady looked interested.
For the lands sake" she exclaimeu.
You don't say and she continued 70
regard me in amused meditation. You We
got good nerves, l s'ppose?" she volun-
teered presently.
Il have always believed So
Wall. that's q good thing. / sh'd say.
/ don wan to scare You since you've got
the place on your hans. but over village
way they do say that Mr.. Somhers comes
back to Overlook sometimes. You'd bet
ter not tell your wife that when she
comes. I'm just a-tellin' you so you can
be lookin out. Any children, have your
I'm q bachelor"
You don't saw A long pause. An
you takin. the Place of Silence? That $
most as bad as Mr.. Somhers himself. 1
never could see what man wants to
live alone for
At that moment Mr.. Hutton appeared
to announce that the 'hoss an buggy
were ready. and paid my adieux to Mrs.
Hutton. who suddenly wondered whether
i would like "a bite o somethin' to eat !"
I assured her with thanks that doubt
less should be able to get supper at the
farm, and left her smiling placidiy.
1t was quite apparent that the raw
boned lad Of fifteen or whereabouts. whom
the station master informally introduced
as my gran'boy, Hank" was not over
delighted with the idea OF conveying me
to Overlook.
declared. Unexpectedly, when we were
well on the way. "This's the third time
gran-dad's sent me out at dark with
some city Teller like YOU. Wish that Z
o'clock train got in AT noon, l do. and
Hank kicked the dashboard vindictively.
Say" he continued. presently, looking
at me with new interest. lair you de-
tective?''
what gave you an idea that I might
be detective?'
"Over village way here they say Harry
Milbrath, who killed his uncle. is trying
to make folks think he didn't do IL by
sendin' detective men up from " Yo'k
to look g IL they was tryin to fin
out somebody else that did IL. The other
two feIiers was detectives, l guess"
/ had a fancy that the boy was right
on that point.
Pretty nice place. Overlook. isn't ito
] asked after a minute.
The boy hunched his shoulders. but did
not answer; nor could l induce him to
further conversation.
We were passing through the village
by this time. and | observed. first with
amusement then with something akin to
discomfort, that We were the center or
attraction. There appeared to be some
thing unusual about US, for though il was
dusk men paused and looked back at us.
At first l supposed my companion to ve
the source OF this attention, but / over
heard a word spoken by one Of a group
OF men standing upon the steps of the
post office that enlightened me.
ITS IL because We are going to Overlook
that people stare at u.s. asked Henry.
yep
Good heavens. Does no one In town
ever go up to the placer
Nope"
'.Why:" lsI.At