The Jasper news., 1920-07-22
cHAPTER n.

II was hardls eight when set out
for my new quarters, taking with me
only one small handbag and leaving
my two trunks for the expressman.
In the time Intervening since my visit
to the 0aBton' home had done but
little except speculate on the mysteri-
GUS warnings that both Of the old peo-
pie had surreptitlously given me. 1t
seemed 20 utterly improbable and Inn
possible that there could be any in
explicable mystery about home In
modern, up-toAdate apartment house
In the center Of civilized city. And
| II there was mystery, why did they
stay therei Why didn't they mover
Yet, az pondered over the matter,
was convinced that both my great
uncle end his wife were rational. /
dismissed without hesitation the the
ory that there could have been any
supernatural happenings to alright
them. 1T was probable, decided, that
their fears might have been played on
by some conspiracy on the part OF
their servants to induce them to spend
season in Maine. Perhaps there
was some specter from my great
uncle's past now rising TO confront
him that he was seekingsto hide from
his wife. II might be that she knew
OF 1t or had received threats and was
trying to conceal the matter from him.
There are few men of millions with
out some secret shameful pages in
their lives. AS l remembered that
old Rufus Gaston's dollars had been
made In South America, all that had
heard and read Of plots and counter
plots below the equator came buzzing
into my brain. II such should be the
case, that some betrayed conspirator
now was seeking vengeance, more
than ever welcomed the unexpected
chance that had thrown this oppor-
tunity for adventure in my prOsaic
path.
Yet maybe their warnings were jus
tilted. There was Barbara Bradford,
who lived under the same roof, on the
very floor with them. She seemed to
be caught in the web Of some plot, to
be living In fear of some mysterious
peril.
Was she, wondered, in any way
connected with the mystery Nthat over.
hung the CASTOR home? Did my great
uncle and his wife know herr Hei
mission to the park had been to gel
some papers. Could they have beer
in any way involved with what was
menacing my great-uncle's peace Of
mind2 How l regretted now that
had not asked the Gastons II they
knew Miss Bradford. How welcom
ed the opportunity was now to have
of living In the same apartment hous'
with her, close at hand II ever coult
serve her. I was glad now that cir
cumstances had prevented my goinl
to France with Birge and Roller.
AS arrived at my great-nncle's cor
ner, saw Miss Bradford approaching
from the opposite direction. She wa
In riding togs. timed my steps L
reach the corner as she did. Woul'
8 she, wondered, consider our strang
meeting a few evenings before SUN
cient Introduction to justify her speak
ing to me.
"Good morning. Mr.. Nelson" sh
/, greeted me pleasantly. Making al
early call, aren't you1"
I'm coming here to live for while,
1 answered, falling into step with heI
u "The Gastons are going to Maine an
have asked me to occupy their apari
Q ment while they are away"
AS we chatted we had entered tn
J. building, and as before / went int
q the elevator with her. AS left he
at the door, wondering II she had ha
Q any more encounters in the park. ye
9 hardly daring to ask, she turned {
t me, half apologetically, and said:
d "Mr. Nelson, since you've come
t live here in the house. must be car
+ full. We have not been introduced
4 and my people viii think II strang
Il If they see me speaking to you. 70
understand, don't your You must nc
y speak to me or recognize me until
Q until whatT / cried eagerly.
l. "Until we can manage to be propel
r ly introduced"
II "Yet." insisted, 'you promised
e. let me help you"
+ "I have not forgotten. I'm gratefu
really / am. Perhaps may call o
t your services. may have to. II
r. do, I'll find some way Of letting 20
y know"
E. "some secret way" suggested. ha
70 sarcastically.
Perhaps" she laughingIy nodded I
, we separated.
, As took out the keys my Erea