Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-11-16
CHAPTE Err I.
A Discovery.

Joining house and stop. could not resist the
temptation of leaving my bed and taking peep
through the curtains of my window.
First: Because the house empty, or
supposed to be So the family still being, as !
had every reason TO believe, IN Europe; and
secondly. because, not being inquisitve, often
miss in my lonely and single life much that 1t
would be both interesting and profitable for me
to know.
Luckily made such mistake this evening
and looked out, and though was far
from realizing it at the time, took. by so doing,
my first step in a course Of inquiry which has
ended
But It is too soon to speak of the end. Rather
let me tell you what l saw when ! parted the
curtains of my window In Gramercy Park, on
the night OF September II. 1895.
Not much at first glance, only common hack
drawn up at the neighboring curbstone. The
lamp which is supposed to light our part of the
block is rods away on the opposite side OF
the street. that obtained but shadowy
glimpse of young man and woman standing
below the pavement could see. how
ever, that the woman-and not the man-was
putting money into the drivers hand. The next
moment they were on the stoop Of this long
closed house. and the coach rolled off.
1t was dark. as have said. and did not
recognize the young peope-at least their hg
ures we're not familiar to me; but when In an
other instant, heard the click OF night-key,
and saw them, after a rather tedious fumblng
at the lock, disappear from the stoop, l took It
for granted that the gentleman was Mr. Van
Burnam's eldest son. Frank. and the lady some
relative Of the family; though why this. its
most punctilious member, should bring guest
at so late an hour into a house devoid Of every
thing necessary to make the least exacting vsi-
tor comfortable was a mystery that l retired
TO bed to mediate upon.
did not succeed solving 1t. however and
after some ten minutes had elapsed. l was set
Ting myself again to sleep when was re-
aroused by fresh sound from the quarter men.
toned. The door l had lately heard shut,
opened again. and though had to rush for it, |
succeeded In getting to my window in time to
catch a glimpse Of the departing figure Of the
young man hurrying away toward Broadway.
The young woman was not with him, and as
realized that he had left her behind him In the
great empty house. without apparent light and
certainly without any companion, l began TO
question II this was like Franklin Van Burnam.
Was II not more In keeping with the reckless
ness of his more easy natured and less reliable
brother, Howard, who, some two or three
years back had married a young wife of no
very satisfactory antecedents. and who as |
had heard, had been ostracized by the family in
consequence
whichever OF the two II was. he had certainly
shown but little consideration for his cempan-
ion and thus thinking. fell off to SLEEP just
as the clock struck the half hour after mid
night.
Next morning, as soon ms modesty would per
nit me to approach the window, | surveyed the
neighboring house infinitely. Not a blind was
open, a shutter displaced. AS | am an
early riser, this did not disturb me at the
L,x .ft~ hzno ynA In
and still failed to detect any evidences Of life
In the great barren front beside me. ] began to
feel uneasy. But did nothing til noon when
going into my rear garden and observing that
the back windows of the Van Burnam house
were as closely shattered the front. l be
came anxious that stopped the next police
man / saw going by, and telling him my sus
picions, urged him to ring the bell
No answer followed the summons
There is here" said he,
Ring again ! begged.
And he rang again. but with better result
Don't you see that the house is shut up?'
he grumbled We have had orders to watch
the place but none to take the watch off"
There is young woman Inside" insisted
The more think over last nights occurrence
the more am convinced that the matter should
be looked into"
He shrugged his shoulders and was moving
away when We both observed q commonlook-
ing woman standing in front looking at US She
had a bundle in her hand and her face, I'M
look which was all the more remarkable from
the fact that It OF those woodenIke
countenances which under ordinary crcum-
stances are capable Of but little expression.
She was not stranger TO me; that Is, had
seen her before In or about the house In which
we were at that moment interested; and not
stopping to put any curb on my excitement |
dushed down to the pavement and accosted her,
Who are your l asked DO you work for
the Van BurnamS. and do you know who the
lady was who came here last nght|
The poor woman either startled by my sud
den address by my manner which may have
been little sharp. gave a quick bound back
ward, and was only deferred by the near pres
ence OF the policeman from attempting flight.
As II was, she stood her ground, though the
fiery flush. which made her face noticeable,
deepened TIL her cheeks and brow were scarlet.
~ am the scrub-woman," she protested. II
have come TO open the windows and air the
house"-ignoring my last question.
rs the family come homer the policeman
asked.
II don't know; think So" was her weak
reply.
Have you the keys?' now demanded, see
ing her fnmbling in her pocket
II don't see what business II is OF the neigh
bors" she muttered. throwing me dissatisfied