The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1912-07-26

Copyright. by w. q. Chapmanl

md of September In the year 1897 /
received the following letter:
"Dear Sir: | have been asked to call
:, Won by mutual friend. General
corvallis, who accompanied my step
sauyhter and myself on board the Os-
nrey TO New York. hope to call to
see YOU or send representative
about eleven o'clock today. The gen.
oral thinks that you can give me ad.
vice on a matter OF Importance. am
spanish lady. My home In in Brazil.
and | know nothing Of New York or its
customs. | wish to takS house near
New York and to settle down. This
house must be isolated. and In the
midst OF large grounds, and must have
extensive cellars or Easements, as my
wish is to furnish q laboratory In or.
der to carry on scierufc research.
The general said that as you were q
scientist yourself you would under
stand Just what wanted and be will
ug 10 advise me.
Yours sincerely,
STELLA SCAIFT'E."
The letter was dated from the Man
ton hotel. and smiled as read It. II
xas SO Ike old General CORVALLIS to
imagine Just because q lady was In
teres.ed In scientific pursuits that
should ut once become interested In
her TO the degree Of adopting the role
OF a real estate agent and spend valu-
able time chasing around in the en-.
deavor 10 find a house which would
suit her. But 1t SO happened that
cousin OF mine. who was extremely Ill
and under my care In a hospital. was
hard pressed for money and wanted to
rent an old-fashioned and somewhat
gruesome mansion he owned which
was situated in a lonely part OF the
Bronx. II occurred TO me that this
house might suit the generals ac-
quaintance and that could do both
her and my cousin q good turn at the
same time.
AT eleven o'clock my servant hand.
ed me IA card bearing the name. Miss
Muriel Seattle" and few moments
later slight fair-haired English girl
entered the room. She informed me
that she was Mrs. Scaiffe's step-daugh-
ter and that she had come to see me
In reference to the house. which they
were DESTROYS of renting within
week
The girl was pretty. and her smile
vas wistiul and sweet. although with
tinge OF melancholy In II. On the
whole, she impressed me favorably.
and informed her that. although
such matters were hardly in my line.
1t so CHANGED that there was a house
belonging to a relative Of mine.
called The Rosary. and situated in
somewhat isolated spot In the Bronx.
which imagined would suit her step
mother. also told her that II she
wished | would meet her there at
three o'clock on the following day.
when she could view the interior of
the mansion for herself. To this she
agreed, and at the appointed hour
presented myself at the gates OF The
Rosary. A carriage was waiting, and
as approached tall lady with dark
eyes stepped out of Il. saw ut a
glance that the young lady had not
accompanied her. and when she In
Toduced herself as Mrs. Seattle we
proceeded to view the house.
The Rosary had been unlet and neg
ected for a considerable time. and the
grounds had desolate and gloomy APP
pearance. But the Spanish lady ap-
peared well pleased with the interior
as wen as the exterior Of the place.
and particularly with the numerous
cellars. one of which she pronounced
exactly fitted for q laboratory.
My brother. Senior Merello. joins US
mere next week." she said. "He and
are scientists. DR.. Halifax, and trust
scientists OF no mean order. We have
come here for the purpose Of conduct
ing experiments. and this house is trS
Vne OF all others for US"
everything went or without h'.ch.
Inc Rosary passed into the hands OF
MRS Seattle and those of her brother.
oehor Merello. a tall, dark, handsome
uiah' A week or two passed by. when
One afternoon I was astonished to re-
serve a visit from Muriel Seattle.
! have come to see you on matter
VI vital Importance, DIR. Halifax" she
,a.d' i cannot linger. for even now
rear l am followed. You are q
Oosom friend Of Oscar Digby, the IA
nous discoverer and traveller. for he
.Ou me so. II was on that account ]
p.rsuaded mother to come TO you
spout the house"
Certainly know Digby," respond
Indeed, I may lay claim to being
us greatest friend. Where 10 he, and
"nat Is he doing?"
:, tie is on his way to New York"
sue replied. Even now he may have
% nued' He brings great news. and
ne moment he sets foot in this city
sc u In DANGER. He IN your friend.
"u II Is your duty to save him."
n, put what am to save him from.
- Ss Seattle? You are speaking wild
az Don't make such ambiguous state
plicit." 1 '' ~
chair. N'0pS'~
No. , am not brave snoush to explain
| ~0ie fully" ohn ~~sA ssy 49, rulv ro-