Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-03-06
SINISTER ISLAND
BY
CHARLES WADSWORTH CAMP
Copyright
DOdd, Mead d Company

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"Jim.' Anderson said SLOWLY, since
then Molly and | have had the same
nightmares"
Miller glanced up.
POSSIBLY Imagination after The girls
story
NO" Anderson answered with con
vic,ion. I'VE have heard We still
hear-sounds that are no Imagination
sounds that suggest monstrous
tragedy. And the worst of it is there
is no normal explanation none, none,
jim. I've tried everything TO trace
these sounds. to account for them And
they're not ell. Aside from this reeur.
tent experience the house isis terri.
flying, II isn't too strong a word. You
remember all that stuff We used to
laugh at in the reports Of the Physical
Research Society footsteps in emp.
ty rooms, doors opening and closing
without explanation? Well. Molly and
don't laugh at it now but we wart
to laugh. jim, make us laugh again
"Of course. OF course, Andy"
"And always at night" Anderson
went on. there's that grewsomc feel.
Ing of an intangible and appalling
presence. In the dark halls and rooms
you know it Is there, behind you, but
when YOU turn there is nothing
He 'shuddered. He drank some wa
ter.
"In an indefinite way Tie atmos.
phcrc Of th; house is tie atmosphere
OF III emit islaal. | can't eypl3ln
that 10 yoc It's sonnet irg q 70 feels
but can't analyze- some ming t,u N :
know and and he yourself before
YOU can understand As far as | can
fix it, it's the feeling Of the snakes,
Of which spoke, and something be.
iides. II holds a. threat Of death"
"And the snakes?" Miller asked
you say they haven't troubled,
Il said we had seen none"
anderson paused
But" he went on after moment,
the Other day We found Moly's big
Persian cat in the thicket between the
shore and the old slave quarters. II
had been struck by ralilesnake."
TOO inquisitiye cat'' Miller said
You know snakes don't care about
having their habits closely questioned
by other animals"
Anderson shook his head.
"lr you had lived here the last two
months as we have, You might feel Is
we do about il - that It's a sort Of
warning You know | said they were
growing daring
candy. Andy" Miller cried. 'Thi-
wont do"
"That's what Morsan's always say.
Ing Anderson answered "but in his
quiet way he's on The tpn,er hooks
himself. He's resisting the impulse
to 20. too"
HAS he n wife," Miller asked.
"A daughter" Anderson said slowly
"Any company for Molly?'
Anderson turned away, He seemed
reluctant to reply.
"No,' he said finally. mot even for
her father. Jim, with you'd try to
Judge that girl for yourselr-if you
can, If YOU see her. YOU can't tell
about her. She's queer, elusive. un
natural She troubles Morgan. OF
,ourse It's a subiect we can't discuss
very we'll.
"Of her head?"
Judge her for yourself. jim, II YOU
can. Frankly shesheyond me-"
"Anoher puzzle. And that's the on.
lire population"
"Moraan's two brothers from HE
North have visited him once or twi,c
They made il almost jolly But they
didn't stay long Don't blame them
"And that's AM
"On the island proper. There's that
native of whom spoke One shrnks
from him instincIively. He's been
hanging around ever since we've been
here. living in flat bottomed oyster
boat, anchored near The shore. At
night rye thought I've seen him
crawling silently around the inlet in
his filthy old tub
AT least he doesn't seem supersli-
li6us," Miller put in dryly.
Rather a figure 10 foster supers'i
ton. He seems TO symbolic the whole
thing"
"That's a curious fancy. What has
he to say for himself? You've been
aboard his bOat of course
Scarcely. Morgan tried that once
out Of bravado He found no one
lhere-no sign OF life. I've attempted
me aVtrl time 10 get word with the
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