The Huttig news., 1913-07-12
CASE NEXT DOOR
Caught in Trap, But She Found Out All About the Mysterious
 Neighbor.
By GRACE kERRiGAN.

paper Syndicate) Next door to the Needham's was 2 cottage with an acre of ground around it. The owner had died just as the cottage was ready for occupancy, and ! it had stood tenantless for more than year. There were all sorts Of sto ries as to why. as the agent who had 1t in charge lived in another town but at length there came young man who announced himself as MT. Paul Burton, and his errand to take year | lease.
 The young man met MT. and Mrs. Needham, and he might have met their daughter Grace at the same time had she been home that day. Nothing was said as to the young mans occupation or family, and the mystery was soon deeper than ever.
 No mother, sister or housekeeper come with him.
 He did not engage board anywhere.
 He did not engage woman to come in and do the cooking and other work.
 He did not seek to make acQuaint- ances.
 He evidently had no trade or profes- sion.
 c And when the Needham's and others had sized that all up and wondered and wondered there was something else. At the rear of the deep lot he built a small house. It was hardly larger than an ordinary bedroom. If there had been any children it would have been pronounced a play house. There was no dog, and so 1t could not be dog g-house.
 A week after the house had been finished, and while the neighbors were holding their breath. an express wagon drove up and delivered a goose In crate. It was a gander-a pure white gander, and those who got close look said 1t was an old patriarch who was living out the last half of his century.
 "A goose!" queried Mrs Needham. Why, it's months and months to 
 He may be vivisectionist and Is going to carve her up alive." re- marked MT. Needham
 Hes got goose for a companion!" sneered Grace. That's what might be looked for in young man of his parts!"
 The old goose was taken out to the goose-house and provided with excel sior to lie on, dishes to eat and drink rom, and young MT. Burton visited him half a dozen times a day to ask about his health It was said that he even got up twice night to go out there and speak word or two of cheer to his pet.
 That young man Is of in his top ,tory!" said some.
 "The law ought to step in!" said others.
 'If he isn't making counterfeit money then why all this secrecy" asked the wise ones with wink.
 No letters came for MT. Burton. He answered no idle questions of the A minister called to invite him to attend church. but his ring was ignored. The mystery had lasted for three months when Miss Grace Need ham threw down her book one even- Ing and turned to her father with:
 T declare that If I were you wouldn't stand 1t another day!"
 Stand what?"
 You know what mean. wouldn't stand this case next door I'd have a talk with MT Burton and ask htm what he means by such conduct"
 As howl"
 "As living alone"
 That's his business. choose to live as live and that is my business"
 But he has to cook for himself"
 "Yes7"
 And make his bed, and sweep and dust"
 "Yes?"
 And he has an old gander for com pany!"
 But we have an old cat!" t
 "But-but you won't do anything about it!"
 Not thing!"
 Then I will! He's just got to ex- plain himself or I'll know the reason why!"
 Spoken like Nick Carter" replied the father with a laugh, and the sub ject was dropped.
 The young boys of the village had heard all about the gander, and the time came when they thought 1t would be good joke to climb the alley fence and bear the veteran away. One night they tried it, but the gander's protests called Mir. Burton out of bed and to the rescue. He could have put a lock on the door next day, but he didn't. He bought steel trap without teeth and set 1t where boy might put his foot in 1t.
 Miss Grace Needham was very much in earnest In her intentions to solve the next door mystery. but how was she to go at it? She had puzzled for a week, when one day she saw the young man leave the house with a market basket on his arm. He was going to buy provisions, and would be gone an hour Mrs. Needham was ofl to a neighbor's, so there was no one around to say nay. As a beginning the goose-house was to be visited There was the key. perhaps to the