The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1913-07-04

land perhaps | may spend the night
out your way. What time does the
moon rise?''
Eight thirty-two, but it doesn't show
over the top of the hill until nearly 8
O'clock" returned Mr. Swan. III
you'll come to the house l shall be
glad to show you around. and will
remark that have some excellent
cider in my cellar"
THANKS. I'll be there" said the de-
tective promptly. and once more Mr..
Swan went forth to seek Il trolley car.
only this time he was headed for
home.
That evening Mt O'clock the long
and silent MIR. Beek suddenly appear
ed ut the back door. having made his
entrance through the orchard
The stout housekeeper who answer
ed his modest knock looked suspicious
~ at him.
~ left him standing outside" she
told her employer Hes rather 4
slick looking customer. and you don't
never know when some ones looking
around to burge the house. could
have sworn there was woman looking
In my window the other night. Since
then keep my blinds shut tight"
She folded her plump arms across her
chest.
$50 you've seen it, too?" inquired Mr..
Beek's quiet voice. for he had followed
close III her wake. Good evening, Mr.
Swan" he went on. smiling ut the
womun's nstonished face lis the
ghost walking YETI"
"Ah. good evening. Mr.. Beck! This
Is my housekeeper. Mrs. Brown. 1t
seems that she. too. has seen some
thing unusual"
Thereupon Mrs Brown proceeded to
relate with many gestures and much
lurid description the story Of the fright
she had received II week ago come yes
terday when on going to her room aud
blowing out the light she had been con-
fronted with the large shadow of u wo-
mans profile against her window
shade
"Of course put my head out Of the
window and said Whatever are you
hnnying around here forl' But ! de-
clare TO man there wasn't human
soul anywhere around. 1t gave NE
such Il turn I've hardly got over 1t
yet" She closed her eyes and swayed
dangerously near MIR. Swans diminu-
tive form. but that gentleman was
wary and chivairously placed a chair
for her.
"Sit down ii you feel faint. Mrs.
Brown" he urged.
1T. \
grimly.
I'VE might take look around eh?"
suggested Mr.. Beck. "Seen the shad-
ow on the frs, tloor?''
"l've never noticed ii anywhere but
against my chamber window blind"
said Mr.. Swan. leading the way to-
ward the stairs. "Mrs Brown. how
ever, occupies room on the ground
floor on the same side OF the house. and
II seems she. too. has seen the same
phenomenon"
Lead the way" said the detective
tersely.
MIR Swan mounted the steep stairs
TO the second floor. while the detective
followed him, Mrs. Brown. at her own
request, bringing up the rear.
The host led the way into large
chamber facing the east. The room
was unlighted save for the stream of
moonlight that fell through, throwing Il
large patch of Wilderness against the
light colored wall over the bed. Against
this Wilderness there was thrown black
ly the large profile of a woman with
classical features-a beautiful woman,
with noble cast of brow Swallowed
by heavy wave of hair.
as that the same face you saw.
MADAME he asked ne housekeeper.
"Yes," she said breathlessly.
"And the same one you have always
seen. sir?" he turned to Mr.. Swan.
ut H." said that gentleman solemnly.
"Well, strand madam" said the de-
tective. with a twinkle In his eyes,
ut Is quite true that that shadow is
cast by a iifeless woman who stands
In the cemetery on the hillside"-he
waited until he had enjoyed their h0r-
rfed gasps-"but 1t happens to be a
shadow cast by the profile Of large
marble angel recently erected on the
summit Of the hill over the Griggsby
plot. The moon rises behind the statue
and throws the shadow down on your
windows. 1t Is very beautiful face.
IL 1t not?"
.Wonderfui." murmured Mr. Swan.
while his housekeeper snorted incredu-
Iously and left the room.
II came down here through the Gem.
etery and discovered the cause in an
instant. J am sure, Mr.. Swan. that
you need have no qualms aboMt-er-
Diminishing your housekeeper and-er-
letting the marriage bells peal forth
once more" The detective smiled
down his long nose at the blushing IT.
tie man.
"Come downstairs. sir, while and
my check book. but first will draw
you some Of that fine cider" be said
warmly
SHE los, HE 80; WILL WE'D.