The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-08-11
In the House Of
Mystery
BY FRANK L. OGDEN

~s~e>o FSASS0@
ing the house brick fell from the
chimney and hit him on the head.
After that he could remember moth,
ing for some time.
When he came to his senses he
found himself in a strange bed with
a man in divers suit sitting beside
him. His head panied him. 1nvestf.
eating fingers told him that It was
bandaged.
where am II" he whispered.
weakly.
The man in the deep-sea armor
made no reply.
Henderson's slumber was disturbed
by hideous dreams. It seemed to him
that he did not 60 to sleep again
after taking the medicine. but merely
simulated slumber. He peeped an
eye to find the diver standing over
him and about to impale him upon a
terrible three.pronged fork. He
shrieked and closed his Mortified eyes,
opening them later to find the mon.
strosity gone and in its place the IA
miliar figure of the girl.
Tom Henderson flushed slightly. So
he was really in the house Of mystery
at last. and with-her!
For months the young man had
striven unsuccessfully for this very
end and now there was more than a
triumphant light in his handsome
black eyes as he glanced toward the
maid. She turned quickly and read
the message in them.
Il hope" she began. caustically-
and Henderson's susceptible heart
beat faster than ever at the rich
depths to her voice. II hope that you
are satisfied now. Mr.. Henderson.
You have at last obtained entrance
to our house."
I'll" stammered the flushed and
embarrassed youth.
"oh. don't attempt any explana.
tion." Interrupted the girl. "For
months we have watched you-even
as you have watched US. You are
handicapped by an Unsuitable curios.
curb It,"
"But how did l come here?" de.
manded Henderson.
always curious" sighed the maid,
and Henderson had the grace to flush
deeper red as she continued.
while you were-er-snooping
about the house a brick fell from the
chimney and knocked you senseless.
Now, thanks to you and others in this
small town who are not content to
mind their own small affairs and al
low others to attend to theirs, It
would be unsafe for us to allow you
to lie in front Of our house, seemingly
struck down by some weapon in the
hands of dangerous person.
"This would have given your towns.
people the excuse they have long
sought. Our home would have been
forcibly entered and-and certain
things discovered that we wish, for
purely personal but honest reasons.
to remain our secret"
Years before. the house had been a
factor in the intrigue of a war; later
1t had furnished its quota Of tragedy
with the murder of bride by a jeal-
GUS husband behind its walls.
One morning the residents of the
little burg awoke to find the house
undergoing repairs. 1t had been sold.
One week later the new owner
moved in. Months went by. Occa-
sionally a strikingly handsome girl
came from the place, bought neces-
md
And now Tom Henderson found
himself installed in the house of mys-
terry. Henderson, although he was of
the town, and lived in it for a part
of the time, was a youth without rel
atives and his comings and goings
were matters of no comment at the
hotel where he made his headquar.
ters
After several days Henderson and
his nurse became better acquainted.
The maid seemed acutely conscious
Of the youths unspoken devotion. Nor
did she take tiff bushes and down.
cast eyes are true criterions-at all
amiss.
One day Henderson told his love,
his own hands holding fast to the
girls little one.
20 no." she gasped. frightened, her
fluttering fingers striving in vain to
release themselves. "Why-why, you
don't even know who l am. YOU
Il know that you are the one won.
an in all the world for me-" answered
the youth. Il don't care who you
are"
"But-1-1 may be queen of coun.
terfeiters." suggested the girl. covert.
ly watching him.
Don't" Henderson expostulated,
"You know you love me, dear. I can
see it in your eyes, Will you marry
me? There is no reason why you can.
not-I know it,"
mo reason" she echoed, in the
voice Of the woman who loves. mo
reason at all. sweetheart. All this
mystery In which the town has
shrouded US amounts. in reality. ia
nothing.
''Father is an inventor of repute
Wa have reason to he afraid NJ erios