The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-06-01

"Oh, simply cannot stand this placeT she exclaimed There is some thing perfectly horrid about it, and and the people. How shall ever get through the night?"
 That is nothing" soothed, al- though hardly at ease myself. ''She is evidently of the taciturn sort. We don't need to keep these servants, you know. I'll hunt up some more cheer ful in town tomorrow. Why, by love. it's 10 o'clock already. Have you fin ishedP'
 1T couldn't choke down another mouthful' ''
 "well, don't be afraid. They mean well enough, no doubt Sallie!''
 She came gliding in. her back to the door.
 'Are you the one who is to show us to our rooms?'
 'Yes"
 She picked up the lamp and went out and Mrs. Bernard followed in stantly, evidently afraid to be left in the dark. followed with the grips. trailing up the stairs, having seen nothing of Coombs in the front room. In the upper hall our guide threw open two doors, going into the rooms and lighting lamps. thus giving glimpses of the interiors The one in the cor ner was the larger and better fur nished.
 sgEhis will be yours,'' I said. placing her valise on the floor. You can feel safe enough there with the door lock- ed-yes, there is a key-and I will be right opposite if you need anything
 She gave me her hand. but felt 1t tremble.
 You are still afraid9'
 s.Yes, am-but-but am not going to be such a fool.''
 As her door closed turned to the mulatto, who still stood there, lamp in hand was not sleepy, and wanted most of all to have an understanding with Coombs- 'tIs the overseer down stairs?''
 .sAh reckon he's out in one O ther cabins, sah-he done don't sleep in the house nohow.'
 He doesn't sleep here! Why7,,
 ttAh spect it's cause he's afeerd, too, sah." she replied. her snaky eyes show ing sAh's voodoo, an An don't care bout 'em tall. but good Tor, dar ain't no white man wants ter stay In des were house more'n one. night
 She laughed, g weird, grating laugh and started downstairs. stood still. watching her light disappear. Then, swearing at myself for coward, I stepped back into my own room and closed the door.
 This reyealment of conditions left me thoroughly puzzled was not frightened at the situation, for Large ly attributed the fear shown by both Pete and Sallie to negro superstition. But Bill Coombs was very different |. = ed kind, not to be easily alarmed by visionary terrors, and yet he was man ifestly afraid to sleep in the house l was Sufficiently acquainted with his type to comprehend there must be some real cause driving him to retreat to the negro cabins for rest
 I sat there for some time smoking, endeavoring to think it all over coolly and listening intentIy. At first could distinguish the rattle of dishes down stairs as SaI1te cleared the table, and. a little later. heard Mrs. Bernard nov ing about uneasily in her room across the hall. But at last these sounds ceased and the house became still 1 removed a portion of my clothing and lay down on the bed. a certain uneasi- ness preventing me from undressing entirely I was tired. but with little inclination for sleep. Could there be any truth in Mrs. Bernard's question ing of the motives actuating the man who had sent us here? Had we come mere PaWns in some game Of crime deceived. perhaps betrayed to arrest7 Was Coombs here merely to watch us and report to Neale and Vail how we carried out our part of the bargain ? The affair certainly looked altogether different now I was upon the ground. although could figure out no possi- ble object those men could have. At least they could accomplish nothing without my cooperation, and, if dis covered any evil afoot. could block them instantly I was there to save this property for the rightful heir and was determined now to see that Philip Henley received all that was due him. It was after o'clock before I fell Into drowsy sleep.
 (To Be CoutfIlued1