The Columbus journal., 1910-08-03

starting anything important on Fri.
day"
You have q congenital dislike to
start anything on any old day." re-
torted. still sore from my lost Sat
urday. And II you knew the owner
Of that house as do you would know
that II there was any one at that
window he Is paying rent for the
privilege"
Mrs. Klopton raped at the door
and spoke discreetly from the hall.
Did Mr.. Mcknight bring the even
ing paper!" she inquired.
Sorry. but l didn't. Mr.. Klopton."
Mcknight called. The subs won.
three to nothing" He listened. grim
ming. as she moved away with little
irritated rustles Of her black silk
gown.
! finished my packing. changed my
collar and vas ready to 60. Then
very cautiously We put out the light
and opened the shutters. The win.
dow across was merely a deeper black
in the darkness. II was closed and
dirty. And yet. probably owing to
Richey's suggestion. had an un-
easy sensation of eyes staring across
at me. The next moment We were at
the door. poised for flight.
Well have TO run for it," | said in
C whisper. She's down there with
a package of some sort. sandwiches
probably And she's threatened me
with overshoeS for a month. Ready
row."
had a kaleidoscope view of Mrs.
klopton in the lower hall. holding out
an armful OF such travelling impedi-
ment4 as she deemed essential, while
beside her. Euphemia. the colored
housemaid. grinned over a white
wrapped box.
AWfully SOrry-no time-back Sun
day" painted over my shoulder Then
the door closed and the car was NOV
ing away
Mcknight bent forward and stared
at the facade of the empty house next
door as we passed. 1t was black,
staring. mysterious. as empty build
ings are apt to be.
that corpse Of house." he said
thoughfully. by George. I've a no
ton 10 get out and take a look"
Somebody after the brass pipes"
l scoffed. House has been empty for
a year"
With one hand on the steering
wheel Mcknight held out the other for
my cigarette case. Perhaps" he
said: but l don't see what she would
want with brass pipe"
a woman" laughed outright.
You have been looking too hard at
the picture in the back of your watch.
that's all. There's an experiment like
that. If you stare long enough"
But Mcknight was growing sulky:
he sat looking rigidly ahead. and he
did not speak again until he brought
the Cannonball to q stop at the sta
ton. Even then it was only q per-
functory remark. He went through
the gate with me. and with five min
utes to spare. We lounged and smoked
in the train shed. My mind had slid
away from my surroundings and had
wandered to a polo pony that Il
couldn't afford and intended to buy
anyhow. Then Mcknight shook on
his taciturnity.
For heavens sake. don't look SO
martyred." he burst out: Il know
you've done all the travelling this sum.
mer. l know you're missing q game
tomorrow. But don't be Q patient
mother: confound II. have to 90 to
Richmond on Sunday. IL want to
see a girl"
"Oh. don't mind me-" observed
politely. PERSONALLY. I wouldn't
change places with you. What's her
name-Eorth? South"
West" he snapped. Don't try to
be funny. And all have to say.
Blakeley. is that if you ever fall in
love I hope you make an egregious
ass of yourself"
In view of what followed, this came
rather close to prophecy.
The trip west was without incident