Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-29
with charm and savoir fairc. And .

with charm and savoir rairc And yet
81 wonder IL we vii. be happy, after
ALL" he asked himself for the thou
sand ana first time. These uuarrcls
her jealousy. and this ncvcr-cndiur So
cicty?"
For hours he maintained his curious
watch. walking back and forth on the
porch or the old house. now sitting
down In a rustic bench left By the
lony-Gead tenant. and again leaning
over the old swinging gates. TO study
the gradual swing of the glittering
stars az the time sped ON. as though
10 read in them an answer tn his rid.
die.
he turned impatiently and still nor
rously to retr,ce his steps. This time
he walked down by tho waters edge,
TO observe. in tn" gray of the dawn
two of TIL" fishing boats returning WITH
the morning haul from the nets.
Finally, no reached tho tavern. slecG-
less and irritable. He stumbled UP tho
Ohm stairway 10 his bedroom. to ind
the candle long since burned out. AL
most sullcnly he tossed aside and
threw aside his clothes. And then.
strangely dissatisfied with fate. whicn
others believed so Kind TO him. Ronald
Roberts lost himself ia unhappy
dreams. in which the dark -haired vi!
wcirdly. wretchedly.
II WAS 10 o'clock before HAWKING
apoioEetically awakened him. Roberts,
head ached from the unnatural sleep.
and he Giared irritably at his valet.
breakfast is ready. sir" began Haw-
aims. not unused to this morning Scowl
Indeed sir. If ! may be SO bold as
10 suggest IL, the old gentleman as
! 'ad breakfast wyting for you hever
/ S:"ce sun-up. L must think as 'ow
you're q :hicke" or cow"
Ronald Roberts Sprang out Of bed
and rccrcd through the mulliuned
window at the symphony Of landscape
outside.
I'm sorry he didn't give IL To nc
ihcn-i WAS no almost that late my
self And visited the haunted house
Hawkins. IFS too bad 10 diSappoint
YOU nc added as he saw the startled
look on the servants bland face. but
nothing happened. don't even think
there's ~ cricket or mouse haunting
the place"
After hearty breakfast which
brought back his wealth Of good
humor. Roberts made another visit to
building of his interest. hoping to find
some clues of old romance which might
light the fires Of his inspiration. Haw-
ltins WAS sent down to hear any re-
ported news FROM captain Farweli. for
the Sea Gull was equipped with wire
less. and constantly In touch with the
outside world
Roherts's search WAS more avaiiins
this time. On one side Of the house he
found window. from which the pro-
itcting board had been removed.
'Ah. this is recent. for the dust has
been scrapcd or brushed away" he
muttercd Well see the sign ITO
Let over ,here-f may as we'll climb
in and inspect the place, It might he
Just the place, to spend week"
No said than nftcmntad ppt
tho space through which he had to
climb was restricted: the former en-
rant had been Of much narrower
beam" than the sturdy novelist
within was Il pathetic scene OF desc
l;.iion.
Everything stood just as IL had been
left by the former owner Distant
relatives. so ii Squiggins had told him.
refused to touch the furniture OF the
Inflated home. aud 80 beneath the dust
81 years lay furniture, books, bric-a-
bin" III what had once been an un-
usually attractive home.
Roberts wandered around. from room
!" room. disturbed only by the scurry-
ing of rats VIII" seemed to abound i'm
the old place
They mus, be vcSe arians." he
laughed ~ himself. IL can't see what
the: get to eat except the weeds and
grass
few more minutes Of inspection
c"tTiuccd him that the spot was ideal
~" he could be un,listurbcd. and Haw-
Eius. by no means an unskillcd cook.
could prepare his meals from supplies
purchased III the village. And there
was til. Holly Branch Tavern and its
ancient vintaGcs not too far away.
within an hour he was tcmDorarv
owner OF tho house, for he had paid
the shrewd old agent Of the estate the
price demanded without the traditional
oIrAcr!ns over terms. Hawkins had
s'rus2lcd with more luggage sent in
IRON the yacht. and the novelist was
ShH'"ncea ia the old home. happy with
ms new TOY. and determined that his
pen should produce the souehl-for
story.
Hawkins made Il close inspection of
IN" Kitchen. bringing to light some
hardened cakes. stale bread and mouldy
i""n which had been left by the last
t"h'.ht The hustling little butler with
lil An"thcr Two hours had much OF the
surface dirt removed
on. hif We was only back on the
"!"o;n.n y""ht" he sighed. and then
I cast an apprchcnSivc glance at the old
clock. which he had oiled and wound
And before many hours-that ghost,
Ugh lie sh;vcred
More than once during the ifteruoon
he pleaded with his master To permit,
nan |" remain on the vessel until morn
iHE. but Roberts was adamuntinc
'iaraciers ~ my new book There is
u" telling what spooks are apt
/" a"-and want to study your psy-
choi"Iy. under the cxigcncics."
The what. SIR" and II wkins's jaw
icl' 1T tn" unusual words. Al Rob
ertS'S smile he turned toward the
Kitchen 81 have Il surprise for you,
sir-an old fisherman brough, UP some
OF ms wares. and I'm cooking them
nov, sir
splendid" and Roberts snatched UP
MS auntinS rifle 20 follow him. "rlI
'iedn III this gun. You can 40 very
Wei with u frock coat bu, you are "A
,rfN ponT manicure for "a Remington
hcaNy-ca iibcr. Hawkins"
INC r"Grnnt aroma Of the cooking
nerHentcd the house Hawkins had
'r"hcu Over iSohcrtss shoulder to
watch Tic skillful cleaning of the gun
"a process always Il mystery 10 him. no,
"ht'aught with fear. for he was gun
shy
You see, it is done this way" began
the author. You use the rod so !"
Just then an unmisiakuble scrapinr