Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-19

"NHTELL. It doesn't look haunted to me-"
w said Garden. Then he turned to the
agent whats your opnion?" he asked
sharply.
The agent looked unhappy. He possessed
n noncomformist conscience, which at all
times he found hard to reconcile with his
profession.
81 wasn't living in Thorndyke st the
time II happened, sir" he answered dlplo-
matically. land you know what village gos-
sip is
"Then, of course. you don't happen to
believe in this particular story yoursef?"
inquired Garden, trihe maliciously.
The agent wilted visibly.
II really don't know what to believe"
he answered frankly. There are more
| things i'm heaven and earth--and, anyhow.
| it's fine property" he exclaimed in a
burst of enthusiasm.
81 agree with you there" said Garden.
transferring his gaze from the agent to the
| house-a square, substantial affair, built
| of gray granite. up one side of which chung
| a magnificent creeper, one blaze of crimson
| tendrils.
| 'Ghost or no ghost. I'm inclined to risk
| It, What do you say, Marriott?
| That I'd like to hear more about that
| ghost before venturing opinion re-
| turned Marriott. Remember I've only
| heard scraps of the story UP to now. II
| has something to do with that creeper
| hasn't it?" He ierked his head in the direc-
| ton of the flaming wall of leaves
| .,,,. 49, A.. ..... :,
| torted Garden impressively. That creeper
is the reason why people stink past the
1i, NOT anto, ~ hs,,.o tr nc o ,,'ano,,
"pr,ae,, sa,,,n ,,u -, 10, 80 80 w ,,,stoS
| ion. fora;gr aan,,a.,a,, 80. .ts Go, honso
| on a long lease IT., uc.e ,oconnar riod h,,
| a. charming girl MANY wears his Junior who
it appears, had extraordinarily long and
| silkv black hair The reIationshin between
the two was doubtful and was never ex-
planned by the pair. who kept to themselves
and refused to have any dealings with the
| county people.
They were here for six months, and
then suddenly" he flung out one hand
dramatically, they were here no more. One
fine morning they had vanished lock. stock
and barrel; but--now comes the strangest
part on the story-for the hrst time
curious scarlet creeper clung about the
house.
You see where it twines red arms round
that hrst-hoor windo"? Wen. gossip VIII
tell you that some time at night a man
head is seen leaning out or the WINDOW
with long tendrils or the creeper Winolhs
anout MS neck. IL seems 10 me rather
wiid story
lou s ni,snt auu' slt' inter- up..u .,,'
agent that aithough the mysterious
creeper mas peen cut uoWr. seNera' '''''ess
II mas always grown again. 80,
ana wnat is tne explanation Oh II ah'
asked warrior cutlousiy' .,,,., -,
me agent cieareu ms throat, "e,'. -.
course, IL ali @ no,'9ense ~, m t,,a,
apologetically' put tne 'i.ase sasS Ia, sna
tne sentlelnan s s 'Iiulse 'ne :, ,anr,,
was quarrei,hs hearu III ',.e nSn,, .', " 'e
ana tnat tne creeper Is ner =, si,U9, u" ,,o +,
wnat apsolute rot IL all 10 ''oN' II
Carueh hhPa'ieh'iy'
But Marriott shook his head Il shouldn
take the house il were you. old chap'
he said seriously. There seems TO ms
something ominous about it. I felt 1t as
rode up. / feel 1t standing here and don
like the looks of that creeper either. It's