The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1916-01-19
THE HAUNTED
PORTRAIT
How the Ghost Was
. ss-
Unearthed
n, ri ADICCA MAcHJC
By CLARISSA MACKIE

The Baker homestead stood on q hill
| and alone. 1t was bleak looking
| place in winter and after Tg.id Bakers
death was suffered to fall iato semi
decay. David Bakers nephew, Edward
went there occasionally in the autumn
to use the place for hunting box.
One autumn he persuaded his friend
James Laidlaw to go there with him
There was a portrait Of Nicholas Baker
hanging on the wall, and during an
evening, after hunt, the following
conversation occurred between the two
men while they smoked:
do you really mean that you wish
to sell your uncle's portrait?" asked
Laidlaw incredulously.
EYES," returned Baker shortly. ~. :.
zone doesn't usually sell family por-
traits" limited his friend. =
Baker lighted another cigar and push
ed the box toward Laidlaw.
"Of course 1 would not dream of
such thing" he apologized, .'but"-
He glanced quickly at the great oil
painting over the mantelpfece.
"ButY' prompted Laidlaw. 49,
THE COMPOUNDED thing has got on
my nervesr'
"How?'
1T watches me-
"All portraits appear to do that
Il know what you mean, Jim, but
this is different. The eyes not only
watch me continually, but they change
expression. Sometimes they positively
glare at me murderously.'' He sh'e
cred.
Better close the place and go away"
II did last spring. but haven't been
able to keep even a caretaker here, and
then, you know, came that series of
robberies in the neighborhood, and so
I'm rather sticking around to keep an
eye on my own property"
you say you can't keep any serv-
is hauntedw
THAT'S the idea. Men and maids
declare they hear footsteps and kissing
whispers and all that rot
you haven't seen or heard anything
out of the ordinary asked Laidlaw.
Nothing except the eyes," ID
Laidlaw glanced up at the portrait
Of Nicholas Baker. It represented the
head and shoulders of q mild eyed old
gentleman dressed correctly In black.
In the dimming light of the library
the snowy shirt front and collar and
the abundant white hair and whiskers
stood out sharply. 80
The gray eyes gazed benignly upon
the two men. ,
81 can't imagine your mild uncle.
Nicholas, looking fierce" smiled Laid
law, looking at Ned Baker.
Baker was staring fixedly at the por-
trait. Look nowv' he muttered be-
tween clinched teeth.
Laidlaw looked.
"Sood heavens!'' he gasped in aston
ishment. 49,.
Nicholas Bakers face still wore that
expression Of benevolent pity. but the
eyes were no longer gray and mild. a.
They were fiercely rolling in their
seckets-black, black as night. Baker
switched on the electric lamp. but the
eyes remained the same, flashing an
grily from one man to another.
what do you make Of that?' de.
manded Baker. pOking the fire into a
blaze.
Laidlaw studied the glowing end of
his cigar. His hand shook a little, and
he was angry with himself for feeling
that thrill of horror. -
He locked up at the portrait, intend
ing to stare it out of countenance, but
what he saw was a pair of kindly
gray eyes regarding him fixedly. =:
"The deuce!' he exploded, leaping
to his feet. what ails the thing?"
Baker smiled YEARLY. :
'1t's got you, too, ehT' -,
Laidlaw sank back in his chair and
stared at the fire.
"You thought of selling the portrait, ,,
he said at last. would you feel bad
If anything happened to it,"
Something will happen to it. and
soonT growled Baker.
1--WE an idea," murmured Laidlaw. I
Baker laughed harshly. "You needn't
whisper" he gibed. "It isn't likely his
Laidlaw smiled quietly.
eve are dining out, I believe" he
said, with quick change of topic. :
Yes, and, Jove, it's time to dressr'
Ned Baker jumped up and rang a bell.
After a long while a woman poked
her head in the door. She wore a hat
and cloak.
Where is Ames, Nora ?" asked Baker
in displeased tone
Please, sir, he's left, and Hannah
and Mary and I'm going this minute.
We're sorry, Mr.. Baker, but it's the
ghosts. We can't stand it no Iongerr's
She vanished, and in the distance an
outer door closed noisily.
Baker laughed. IT paid them today.
They managed to calm their fears un.
til the month was up. Well, Jim,
guess Wen have to close up the house
and go back to town."
81 hate to lose that quail shooting"
said Laidlaw, yawning.
A clock in the hall struck g.
1--WE must Dress said Baker, "but
first I'm going around to lock up"
"I'll go with you" volunteered the
other, and he sdded in low tone,
SIS it safe to feave the place unpro-
sected:''
''I'll switch on all the lights and turn
Hero loose. 1t would be a desperate
burglar who would tackle a bulldog
with his reputation"
"Or clever one" added Laidlaw
dryly.
AS they left the front hall to enter
the motorcar which Baker had brought
around to the dior Laidlaw switched
off the lights from the whole house.
What began Baker, when Laid
laws grip on his arm st!lled him.
go on out and say nothing" whis-
pered Laidlaw, and the mystified host
meekly obeyed.
AS soon as they had left the gates of
the estate Taidlaw SnOEt..