The Lamar register., 1917-07-25
ByKATHERINEHoWE
Copyright, by W. G. Chapmnn)

don't think 1 shall be in a hurry to do
So"
Ogden Kirk looked up In a mystifled,
questioning way. 1t was his first
weekend visit to the new country
home where he and his mother expect
ed to spend the summer. He had
hoped that their nearest neighbor in
The small house. whose lawn adjoined
theirs, would prove companionnble to
his mother, as she had no acquaint-
Hnces in the neighborhood.
whats the matterT"
well, / haven't quite made out my
self. All / can say, it's queer"
whats queerT"
"'rhe goings-on over there. / have
seen no one about but young girl,
griU-lookIng old woman and scrub
woman who came in to clean. Yester-
day The shricks and moans and mani
Ical laughter were enough to curdle
your blood. | was almost on the point
+ going over to see what was the
latter, when / noticed the old woman
outside. calmly wedding flower bed,
20 l thought if she was so unconcerned
over it, / would better stay home. My
solicitude would probably be resented"
'Do you suppose" queried the young
man, "she has fits of insanity?"
1T must be either that or Mysteries.
At any rute. it's uncomfortable and
creepy. II / had known was moving
next door to private asylum, would
have gone somewhere else"
I suppose the old woman is an at
tendant or some sort Of keeper for the
young lady. Too bad, isn't it7"
u should think sol'
Mrs. Kinks tone was sharply en-
phatic. She was evidently thinking
of her own annoyance rather than the
plight Of the girl which had been up
permost in her sons mind.
Perhaps he soothed, SIT is only
temporary, and won't go on long"
Perhaps" she assented. "But if 1t
does"
We'll. we will see," he said.
The next Saturday when young Kirk
arrived he jerked significant finger
, toward their nelghbor, and asked:
"r That about itf'
she's had two or three attacks this
week; goes on just about the same
way"
II wonder II she is insane"
"Well, a doctor has been there twice
This week"
How do you know It was doctor?"
His car looked like physicians,
and he went in with case in his
hand."
"Ohr' said the young man with
some feeling. "Thcn there must be
s1methlng the natter"
Did you suppose she was doing this
for amusement asked his mother,
with some asperlty.
We'll, no, of course not. But when
! came past there the young lady was
trimming up n vine and laughing and
talking to the other woman just as
Well as natural as anyone"
NO doubt she has lucid intervals
Perhaps they hope for her recovery in
time"
81 should think you'd get 50 curious
you'd have to call" ventured the
young man.
'Neveri She might return it; and
| shouldn't feel safe for a minute.
Don't you either, think of making
call, If you don't want me to pack up
and go to town."
Ogden had TO at once disclaim any
intention Of so doing. He liked the
place, and was looking forward to
spending his vacation there.
The next week he came out to stay
for awhile. In answer to his usual
question as to the developments next
door, his mother replied that II had
been unusually quiet. Perhaps the pa
tient had been taken away.
"WeIl, then she's back again. for l
saw the young lady as 1 passed." he
said.
perhaps, after all, she isn't the
crazy one. They may" she added in a
creepy, shuddery tone, ''have some
poor creature shut up there"
81 see it's up to me to fathom this
mystery"
~ don't see anything of the Kind"
snapped his mother. you let 1t
alone"
That afternoon he took little stroll
down to Il small stream near by to see
If it promised anything in the way of
boating or fishing. In pretty wooded
spot, where the branches hung over
the water, he dropped, osteusibly to
watch for fish, but in reality to be