The Delta independent., 1913-01-03
Tnustra+ions by
Ellsworth Youn4

room. Grace glanced about 1t curl
pusly.
so this is going to be your new
home now, Aunt Keziah, she OBJ
served How queer that seems"
"Um-h'm. Does seem queer, don't
1t? Must seem queer to you to be SO
near the headquarters of everything
your uncle thinks is wicked. Smell of
birthstone any, does it?" she asked
with smile.
She threw open another door. A
room gloomy with black walnut and
fragrant with camphor was dimly Wis
lble.
"Cheerful's tomb, amt it," was
Mrs. Coffin's comment well, we'll get
some light and air in here pretty
soon. Here's the front hall and there's
The front stairs. The parlor's on to
the left We won't bother with that
yet a while. This little place in here
Is what Mr.. Langley used to call his
study Halloa! how this door sticks!"
The door did stick, and no amount
bf tugging could get 1t open, though
Grace added her efforts to those of Ke-
Eiah.
"'Tain't locked" commented Mrs.
Coffin, "cause there amt any lock on
1t. I guess it's just swelled and stuck
from the damp. Though it's odd,
don't remember Oh, well! never
mind Let's sweeten up this settin'
room little Open a window or two
want to do anything before it gets
dark. I'm goin' into the kitchen to get
a broom"
She hurried out, returning in mo-
ment or two with a broom and most
disguised expression.
"How's a body goin to sweep with
that?" she demanded, exhibiting the
frayed utensil, the business end of
which was worn to stub. More like
a shovel, enough sight. Well, there's
pretty nigh dust enough for shovel,
30 maybe this'1l take off the top lay
ers. S'pose I'll ever get this house fit
for Mr. Ellery to live in before he
comes? 1 wonder if he's particular
MANI
Grace, who was struggling with re-
fractory window, paused for breath.
I'm sure l don't know" she re-
Piled. i've never seen him."
TNOT L eltUeT. oOl Was 81 Ddu tuC
Sunday he preached that 1 couldn't go
TO meetin'. They say his sermon was
fine; all about those who go down to
the sea in ships. That's what got the
parish committee, guess: they're all
Did salts. wonder if he's as finelook-
in as they say?"
Miss Van Horne tossed her head.
She was resting, prior to making an
Dther assault on the window.
'T don't care. / know he'll be con-
ceited little snippet and I shall hate
the sight of him. There! there!
Auntie, you mustn't mind me. I told
you I was selfish pig. But don't you
ask me to like this precious minister
Of yours, because I shan't do it. He
has no business to come and separate
me from the best friend I've got. I'd
tell him SO II he was here What
was that?"
Both women looked at each other
with startled faces. They listened in
tently.
why. want that funny!" whis-
pered Keziah. l thought I heard"
You did hear So did !. What do
you suppose"
"S-s-s-h-h! 1t sounded from the
front room somewhere. And yet there
can't be anybody in there, because
My soul! there tits again. I'm goin'
to find out"
She grasped the stubby broom by
the handle and moved determinedly to.
ward the front hall. Grace seized her
BY the arm.
Don't you do it, auntie!" she whis
pered frantically. Don't you do It!
II may be tramp
Il don't care. Whoever or what
ever it is. 1t has no business in this
house, and I'll make that plain in
hurry. Just like as not it's cat got
In when Elkanah was here this fore
noon. Don't be scared, Grace. Come
right along"
The girl came along, but not with
enthusiasm. They tiptoed through the
dark, narrow hall and peered into the
parlor. This apartment was dim and
still and gloomy, as all proper parlors
should be. but there was no sign Of
life.
Mrs. Coffin was glancing back down
the hall with a strange expression on
her face. Her grip upon the broom
handle tightened.
What is it?" pleaded the girl in an
hgonized whisper.
Grace" was the low reply. i've
lust remembered somethin'. That
study door isn't stuck from the damp.
because-well, because l remember
now that it was open this mornin'."
Before her companion could fully
grasp the import of this paralyzing
fact, Kezish strobe down the hall and
seized the knob Of the study door,
whoever you are in there" she
commanded sternly, open this door
and come out this minute. Do you
hear? I'm orderin' yon to come out"
There was an instant of silence: