The log cabin Democrat., 1916-04-12

in the general mixup the cupola caught fire"
 Has the house gone?" exclaimed Norma.
 "Oh, no, indeed" he laughed. Only the cupola and a slice of the roof on that north end facing the road. Come out and look it over"
 When she came in sight of the house somebody hailed her from the | roadway. It was MT Judson in his runabout. He was redfaced and short | spoken.
 T want to know what you're going to do about this. My boys been rough handled and burned" | Just here Abbott came leisurely by and opportunely down the lane. His left hand was bandaged and one side of his hair was visibly singed
 Good morning, Miss Ewing!" he called cheerily. How are you, Jud- son? How's the boy?" You can learn that in court" re- piled Judson stiffly. When a boys life is endangered through a mere prank"
 Prank" echoed Abbott. Look here, Judson, that boy had the most com plete spook outfit I ever came across, and he had it all nicely planted, too, where l hadn't hunted-in the old at- tic over the kitchen L. I caught him up in the cupola with his makeup all on, just lighting up the green fire in tin pan. l waited till he had waved his arms about just as some automo- piles came along the road, and then let out that long wall of his. Then he tucked down and changed his ghost cap for skull face you know, Judson, that little trick with the red incandescents you work from pocket battery, and the eyes give out a fiery glow. We'll, I was so in- terested I forgot to grab him. I want ed to see what he'd do next, but he 1 tucked around on me to go to anoth- CT window, and when he saw me he | stepped in the green fire, and I made | for him. That white robe he wore caught fire, and I rolled him up in some strips of carpet in the attic till it went out. He isn't hurt much. got full witnessed statement out of him before I sent him home."
 He smiled pleasantly up into Jud- sons face.
 of course, if you'd rather have it tried in court"
 "Oh, pass it up," said Judson curtly. q didn't know Miss Ewing had any other agents handling the property"
 MT Abbott is my tenant" Norma corrected. q hardly think that need an agent, MT. Judson. The property seems quite salable."
 They watched the runabout speed down the roadway and Abbott laughed | heartily.
 You know I've grown to love this place" Abbott said, lifting his chin to the wind that faced them. "The old scamp. He deliberately planned to condemn it and buy it in at a sacri- fee, It was put-up job. I wanted to l clear it up before grandmother came out to visit us. Couldn't you come the i same week? We've got Jap boy to l do the work. It's a shame to waste these spring days"
 Just an underlying hint of some thing deeper in his words sent the col or to Norma's face. He stood smil- 1 ing down at her.
 Besides you owe something to | good tenant, and I may stay here years. Would you give an option of purchase under certain conditions?"
 "I'll never sell" protested Norma, confusedly. q love the old place too well. But-but I do hope you'll stay as long as you are happy?"
 That's life lease" he laughed.
 Over in the garden the old gentle man pottered around his seeds, like Father Time. He looked back once | at the two in the lane and smiled Spring and ghosts were doing their | work we'll
 | Copyright 1916 by the Mcclure Newspa- per Syndicate.) 
 How to Know Cotton Goods. An aYcellant way to jncreasa ona'e