Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1914-04-09

|
some extent, does not? Erected In the
days when high. narrow brownstons
fronts were accepted as the hallmark
of afiuence, IL still successfully re-
sisted the encroachments of improve
ment which otherwise modernized and
beautifed the thoroughfare.
At the time the Powhatan Club
] moved into its new quarters Number
1913 was vacant. and had remained so
up to something like three months
prior to the opening OF this story;
that is to say. not quite two years.
How long previously to that 1t had
stood empty no club member could
say. During all the period within their
knowledge its begrimed facade had
been an eyesore and an object OF exc
| Grafton; somber and brooding, II was a
sort of memento mort to the idlers
the lounging-room, silent but per-
petual rebuke to the folly of their
lives; which attribute had more than
once called forth passionately resent
full TRADE from some member who had
been unlucky at cards. or had con-
sumed too much alcohol the night be-
fore
Then one afternoon the club was
electrified. Tom Phinney had been
staring unseeingly into the street for
some minutes. 1t struck him all at
once that the windows and the front
hn
boarded, and that all the windows
wore blinds the red stone steps, how
ever showed no indication OF having
been recently cleaned.
Il say. fellows" he abrutly sang out,
'thirteen-thirteen's occupied"
There was a concerted movement
toward the clubs window; everybody
present left of whatever he happened
TO be doing at the moment and stood
silently gaping at the gloomy front.
Blinds close-drawn." somebody
presently remarked. wonder who il
can be-"
What was learned during the word
less, curious inspection was about all
the information respecting Number
1913 that was TO be vouchsafed dur.
ing the succeeding months. During
that time 1t was scarcely possible that
any person could have come or gone
within the eighteen hours that are the
liyeliest OF the twenty-four, without
somebody's attention at the
Powhatan. For as the weeks passed.
and the shades remained down by
day, and the windows dark by night.
curiosity grew apace; the house be-
came more and more fruitful topic OF
speculation; and with its secret front |
staring one In the face, the |
east sign OF life or activity must have |
been noted.
why should anybody want to main
ain such persistent. unnatural seclu-
sion?
inquiry at the estates office build
ng was productive OF no enlightep.
nent. Considerable difficulty was ex.
'erienced in gaining access to the
manager; then he at once denied Mum.
er 1878 occupancy. Whereupon
ON Phinney felt that the Powhatan's
ommlttee was not being treated with
ne reference which 1t unquestionably
eserved.
See here" he said, humping the
esK under the managers nose: your
on1ounded house is situated right
cross the street from the Powhatau
ub-"
For the first time the MANAGERS
re contained a CLEAN OF interest He
terrupted.
isn't Mr.. Percy Bonner on your
'use committee?" he inquired.
les, ne is." returned Tom. not re. ,
ding in the least from his determined
and He waited a moment. bur as
e CLEAN died In the managers eve
oceeded.
Our body Is select, you must he
are and we are proud OF the quiet
'pectaoliity OF our neighborhood =
leres enough influence In our mann.
rshlp 10 run out anything OF a shady
'ure-we won't stand for II in
ort" ~ =" q
l ne manager acknowledged the JUS "
Vi THIS ultimatum, but merely =
q: III you see or hear anything
ong' run EN- out; don't care" =
we nave right to know who our =
lghDors are" insisted Tom y
Inquire OF them" said tho mana U
:; i can't tell you."
10 you mean to say you don't I"
owT-incredulously.
Just that. The present tenant new. =
applied TO US at all-haye never
~ MIN, In fact. Occupancy of the :
Use was arranged in quite another y
nner. Really. gentlemen, that ia all =
m at liberty to tell you" u
md the Powhatan's committee was
we'd politely out. =,
was not for nothing that the '
Use was called the House of Mys. =
y. e
=,
| u