Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-02-05

your wife is buried near by. eh?
YES" admitted Mr. Swan.
Very well. I'll think the matter
over" said the detective soemnly,
"and perhaps l 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
O'clock" returned Mr.. Swan. IF
you'll come TO the house | shall be
glad 10 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 trolley car.
only this time he was headed for
home.
That evening at Q o'clock the long
and silent Mr.. Beck suddenly appear
ed at the back door, having made his
entrance through the orchard.
The stout housekseper who answer
ed his modest knock looked suspicious
~ at him
81 left him standing outside" she
told her employer. He's rather
slick looking customer. and you don't
never know when some ones looking
around to burgle the house. | could
have sworn there was woman looking
in my window the other night Since
then l keep my blinds shut tight"
She folded her plump arms across her
chest
$50 you've seen 1t, too? inquired Mr..
Beeks quiet voice. for he had followed
close in her wake Good evening. Mr..
Swan" he went on. smiling at the
woman's astonished face. as 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"
Thereupou Mrs Brown proceeded to
relate with many gestures and much
lurid description the story OF fhe fright
she had received a week ago come yes
terday when on going to her room and
blowing out the light she had been con-
fronted with the large shadow Of wo-
mans profile against her wind
shade.
"Of course put my head out Of the
window and said, Whatever are you
hanging around here forT But | de-
clare TO man there wasn't Il human
soul anywhere around. 1t gave me
such a turn I've hardly got over it
/ YETI She closed her eyes and swayed
dangerously near Mr.. Swans dimlnu-
! tive form. but that gentleman was
| wary and chivalrously placed chair
! for her.
"Sit down If you feel faint, Mrs.
! Brown" he urged.
I'm all over it now" she returned
! grimly.
We might take look around. ehT'
! suggested Mr. Beck seen the shad-
| ow on the first floor
i've never noticed il anywhere but
| against my chamber window blind"
said MIR. Swan. leading the way TO-
I ward the stairs. Mrs Brown. how
ever, occupies room on the ground
floor on the same side of the house, and
it seems she. too, has seen the same
phenomenon"
Lead the way" said the detective
tersely.
Mr.. Swan mounted the steep stairs
to the second floor. while the detective
/ followed Dim. MTS. brown. at iei OMh
request. bringing up the rear
The host led the way into n large
/ chamber facing the east The room
was unlighted save for the stream OF
/ moonlight that fell through, throwing a
large patch of whitenesS 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 a noble cast OF brow Swallowed
by a heavy wave OF hair
as that the same face you saw,
madam" be asked the housekeeper
YES" she said breathlessly.
And the same one you have always
seen, sir?" he turned to Mr.. Swan.
1T Is" said that gentleman solemnly.
We'll. strand ma adam" said the de-
tective with a twinkle In his eyes.
"it Is quite true that that shadow is
cast by lifeless woman who stands
in the cemetery on the hillside"-he
waited until he had enjoyed their hor-
rified gasps-"but 1t happens to be n
shadow cast by the profile of a 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 a very beautiful face,
is 1t not?'
Wonderful" murmured Mr.. Swan.
while his housekeeper snoried incredu-
lousy and left the room.
) 81 came down here through the GEM
etery and discovered the cause in an
instant | am sure. Mr.. Swan. that
you need have no qualDs about-er-
dismissing your housekecper and-er-
letting the marriage bells peal forth
once more" The detective smiled
down his long nose ut the blushing lit
tie man
Come downstairs. sir. while I find
nv check book. but first | will draw
you some OF that fine cider" re said
warmly.
Feb. S in American