Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-17
THE HOWELL HOUSE MYSTERY.
Gin Three Parts.)
Chapfer 7

Irenc Hart slowly galloped along the
great western plains drinking in the
sinking sunset that was gradually dis
appearing behind tho mountains that
rose beyond the plains. leaving a pur-
pie crimson glow fringed with gold.
Turning the head OF her beautiful
wcil-trained horse. Silver Star. TO her
fathers great Western home. Sunset
Ranch, she quickened the horses pace
SO as to reach home before dark.
or OF his State. Thousands Of cattle
srazed the great plains Of Sunset
I KsnGhi and were Under the care Of
Harris only son. handsome. daring
young man Of twenty-four. Irene was
nineteen. very beautiful, with great
lot of dark hair that slightly waved
large dark eyes, and somewhat tan
ned complexion.
Galloping UP to q large old-fashioned
house. she gave Silver Star to. smil.
was smoking In the hall before large
stone fireplace. He smiled as Irene
entered. Have pleasant ride?" he
finer horse every day. Her6ert's steed
can't even come up to my horse"
What's that?" asked Herbert com.
horse in the State. Her mother was
considered the finest in the West" re.
piled Mr. Hart. But Bear Foot is just
At that moment stout Mexican wo.
man announced supper. and the three
mo.ed to the dIning..room.
nor DO 3.s you uun knSw, began Irene oveI
House, and It truly looks haunted.
know I heard footsteps" do you be-
Iieve in ghosts?" smiled Herbert. Now
tory tory about the ola Howell i house. Sew
enteen years ago Jim Howell left thai
place never to return. When he frs
came here with his young wife ant
oldest child. Glare, was kidnapped
Mrs. Howell frightened, and Jim wa:
robbed. He soon returned to New
York, and now Jim y dead" Irene ant
had heard the Howell House mystery
before; Let's explore the old place
Irene" said Herbert. Dear me. your.
welcome to, but you can have the
pleasure all alone"
After, supper the Hart family as.
sembled in the living,,room, the mother,
Every morning Irene rode arount
ways looked for by the smiling COW.
boys; Later 1rene rode up before 6
went in. being greeted by young rcd.
haired woman. I've just been LOOKING
for you. Miss Irene. Willie is fine thi:
baby boy was smiling and cooling. He
must have been about three years old
willie must hurry and grow, so I car
make him present of dandy little
cow-pony I have" THAT will be sc
NICE" finished his mother.
The Howell house mystery still
haunted Irene. but 1t did not Keep heI
from drinking in the pleasant morn.
ing. scenes that greeted her eyes here
and there.
Irene was truly the mistress OF Sun.
set Ranch, the cowboys obeyed ant
worshiped her as IL she had been 6
princess.
That evening Irene took her usua
daily ride. She turned Silver Star.
head towards Howell Ranch. It wa.
large old place very dilapidateC
looking as no one had lived there fol
several years. Boldly she rode up tc
the door of the old house. She heard
footsteps as before, and then she made
silver Star go on to the woods tina
lay behind the old house. She planned
to tie her there and creep back to the
house. Down in the woods an entirel,
different scene greeted her eyes from
what she had expected. for, dowr
on the ground. lay man apparently
unconscious. AS she looked closer she
Jumping down from Silver Star she
proceeded to investigate the matter.
Original. (To he continued.)
PILLS G.. GARY.