Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1915-10-26
HIDDEN HOUSE
BY cLARlssA mAcklE.

Remember. Jack, the man has been
in prison for twenty years-once he
was a great politician. rich man,
respected by all-but he was found
out in big steal. He's done time and
now he is out. What is he going to
do with the rest of his lifeY Bring me
the story-and you'll get yours, seer"
| The chief smiled and Jack hustled
away to catch the first train for re-
mote Long Island village, where 1t
was said Roberts was In hiding
At sandyways Jack guardedly ques-
| toned the host Of the solitary hotel.
He reasoned that Lawson Roberts
| would seek sanctuary under an as
I sumed name.
| MANY strangers in town" repeated
! the hotel man, thoughtfully nibbling
| toothpick. Cant say as there are
| all the boarders have gone. reckon
| you're an agent Of some kind-maybe
selling books?"
Jack smiled evasively.
'T'll bet there's one old party you
couldn't sell book to-not IL you was
to take off 80 per cent of the price"
went on the man.
who is he?"
| Names Robinson-taken the old
Hidden house-used to be Judge Hid
den's place. Celia Hidden married
Lawson Roberts, the politician; he's
in prison now for crooked dealing.
His wife died ten years ago and the
place belongs to the daughter. It's
never been rented until recently, when
Mrs. Hester Bird rented It, No one
| ever heard of her before; and now
| her brother, old man Robinson, and
his daughter have arrived. And
| they're all as close-mouthed and up
pish as can be; as IL Sandyways folks
weren't good enough for them. And
| stingy-whewl"
well, you're not very encouraging"
responded Jack with a bored air as he
moved away. But when he was out
of sight his pace quickened. The
first urchin he met directed him to
Hidden house on the outskirts Of the
| village.
He approached the side entrance to
the gloomy old house, passing a small.
rustic summerhouse smothered In
woodbine.
Halt" said determined voice.
Jack halted to confront a wicked
looking shotgun leveled by a sweet
faced, wide-eyed girl boyishly attired
in a short khaki skirt and blouse, with
high-laced tan boots on her pretty
| feet.
His hat came Off and his look OF
inquiry was mingled with sincere ad-
miration.
Perhaps you didn't observe the No
/ Trespassing' signs" she remarked
coolly.
81 didn't" he honestly confessed.
They are plainly to be seen," she
said significantly. you can read them
as you pass out"
Thank you-bdt want to see some
one"
Who are you looking for?" she
asked sharply.
"Mr.-Roberts," he hazarded
Her face paled and desperate look
came into the sweet eyes that should
never have been troubled by sorrow.
you mean Mr.. Robinson?" she
asked.
81 mean lawson Roberts" he said.
feeling like a brute.
The gun dropped suddenly as if her
strength had failed her.
81 might have known Il! You want
TO interview him, | suppose? He has
paid the price OF his s;n-let him
alone| she cried passioIately.
My r10c--" he stammered,
abashed at her emotion.
Your paper!" she mimicked. what
is it to your paper what my father
does now that justice has been salts
fed? No one would listen to him
when he protested his innocence in
those old days" How scornfully she
looked at himl
Hardly that" he said brusquely.
He looked sharply down the path. The
bent form of a man was hobbling pain.
fully down the walk.
HE is like a child" she said trenu.
lously. HE has been shut away from
the WOrlu SO long, anu now everything
is strange to him. will not have him
bounded by curiosity seekers! will
kill the first man who tries to inter
view him!" She ended in a fierce
outburst that was strangely unlike
her gentle personality.
81 will 90. Miss Roberts," he said
slowly. Some day I'm coming back
again. not as a reporter to interview
your father. but as a friend to help
prove his innocence!"
"Ah. thank you-but stay now and
hear his story of the guilty man." she
cried eagerly.
He shook his head. 81 must throw
up my present job before | can tackle
another one" he smiled and went
aWay