South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-14

VI EdEhuebs from lAnamas anu MARIE a
Spanish woman. He awakes In de-
serted shack near the Cedars and goes
20 the house, where he meets his cousin
katherine, and Graham, q friend. All
Sgres that mystery surrounds the death
Blackburns 10 die in same manner.
Strange signs invariably mark the Occa-
siOE Of a death In the room
Katherine sprang forward She
stretched out her hand to him with
a reluctance as pronounced as era
hams when he had touched How
ellis body Her fingers brushed his
hand. Her shoulders dropped. she
chung to his arm. To Bobby this
resolution was more OF q shock, less
TO be explained. than his first as
surance OF an immaterial visitor.
What did it mean to him? Was it
an impossible assurance of safety?
The old man patted Katherine's
shoulder.
why, what you crying for. Katy?
Always seems something TO scare
you lately"
He jerked his thumb again toward
the lighted windows
You amt told me yet what's 60
ing on in the old room"
BObby's laugh was dazed. ques-
tioning.
They're trying to account for
your murder there"
His grandfather looked at hin,
with blank amazement.
You are out of your head ?"
NO" Katherine cried. We saw
YOU lying there. cold and still. T.
] found you"
You've not forgotten, Rather
inc Bobby said breathlessly. "that
he moved afterward."
Silas Blackburn took his hand
from Katherine's shoulder.
Trying TO scare me? What's the
matter with you? Some scheme to
get my money!"
You slept in the old room the
other night" Bobby asked helpless
ly.
mo. 1 didn't sleep there" his
| grandfather whined. 4 went in and
/ lay down, but l didn't sleep.
defy anybody to sleep in that room.
What you talking about? It's cold
| here This court was always damp.
| want 10 go in. Is there a fire in
the hall? Wen light one, while you
! tell me what's ailin' you"
/ 10
/ knob. They followed him into the
hall, shaking the snow from their
J coats.
Paroles sat alone by the fire,
languidly engaged in the solitaire
which exerted so potent a fascina-
ton for him. He didn't turn at their
entrance. 1t wasn't until Bobby call
ed out that he moved.
Carlos"
| Bobby's tone must have suggest
! ed the abnormal. for Paroles sprang
| TO his feet, knocking over the table.
! The cards fell lightly 10 the floor.
| straying as far as the hearth. His
hands caught at the back of his
chair He remained in an awkward
position. rigid. white-faced staring
at the newcomer.
II told you ALL" he whispered.
that the court was full Of ghosts. -
Silas Blackburn walked to the fire,
and stood with his back to the
smouldering logs. In this light ne
had the pallor of death-the lack
of color Bobby remembered be
meath the glass Of the coffin. The
old man, always so intolerant and
20 M pF~ a -
himself
why do you talk about ghosts -
he whined. II wish I hadn't
walked up"
Paroles sank back in his chair.
Walked up" he echoed in an
| awe struck voice.
Bobby took a trivial interest. as
one will turn to small things during
the most vital moments, i'm the re-
Election that twice within "a hours
the Panamanian had been startled
from his cold reserve.
Walked up" Paroles repeated.
His voice rose.
AT what time? Do you remember
the time?"
Not exactly. Sometime after
noon"
Bobby guessed the object Of Par
edes' question He knew it had been
about noon when they had seen the
coffin covered in the restless. wind
swept cemetery.
Paroles hurried on.
How long had you been asleep -
What makes YOU ask that7" the
other whined II don't know"
1T was "A long time?''
Blackburn's voice rose complain
ingly.
How did you guess that? 7 never
slept so. I dozed nearly three days
but I'm tired now-tired as If
hadn't slept at all"
Paroles made a gesture Of sur
render Bobby struggled against the
purpose Of the mans questions
against the suggestion of his grand
fathers unexpected answers.
Your idea is madness. Carlos
he whispered
This house is filled with It," Par
edes said Il wish Groom were here
Groom ought 10 be here"
Hes coming back" Bobby told
him. He shouldn't be long now
He said before dinner time"