The Jasper news., 1920-07-22

.INN ~ .Dc4Hn N mmeuIut| II1I NC
t5h OF The nOoms ~
The CASTOR apartmsnk. l dlscofered,
occupied one whole side of the tfxth
is5or of twelVest6f7 bUfidinks /
Around the elevator shaft that came
up through the center was small
square court with four doors. two
opening. into the Bradford apartment
opposite and two into the one was
occupying. The east apartments were
known as Six A and the west as Six b.
The door by which had entered led
into a lofty foyer, connecting by sliding
doors with great dining room, and be.
yond Il, in the front OF thefhouse. with
reception or living room that ran the
entire width Of the apartment. Back
OF the elevator, with separate door
for the servants use, were the kitchen,
the buffers pantry, servants sitting
room and two bedrooms. From the
foyer a long hall ran almost the length
Of the building. On the servants side
It was blank as to doors. save for the
passage from the pantry to the dining
room, but on the other side several
doors opened into spacious sleeping
rooms, each with Its own bath. AS I
was wondering which Of the bedrooms
my great-aunt had expected me to
occupy, noticed still another door
which found led into small bed
room on the servants side Of the
house but unconnected with their
quarters. While It was less elabor-
ately furnished than the rooms oppo-
site, II was comfortable enough, and
It had spacious bathroom adjoining.
The fact that the bed here had been
left tnrned down was evidence enough
that 1t was intended for my occupancy.
Returning to the foyer to get my bag
and unpack It, l was startled by the
ringing Of the front doorbell.
sprang. eagerly to answer It It
must be Miss Bradford. Probably she
had reconsIdered and had decided to
take me into her confidence. Who
else cOuid 1t be7 There was no one
else who knew 1 was In the apart
ment. II must be Miss Bradford
With an exclamation Of welcome on
my lips flung open the door. A man
stood there-an utter stranger. In my
disappointment was almost closing
the door in his face, but as II antici-
pating my thought he quickly advanced
one foot over the sill and kept It there.
"Well." demanded, almost savage
ly, 'what do you want1".
"oh, 1t is you. is iti" he replied, eye
ing me with what seemed to me a
most insolent stare.
"What do you mean7" asked, be-
wildered. Certainly l never had seen
this person before. He was short and
stocky, with sparse nondescript hair
and weak. shlfty blue eyes. His face
had an unhealthy pallor. as II he had
lived long away from the sunlight.
and was sunken in as If from under,
nourishment, yet the breadth Of his
shoulders and his huge rough hands
seemed to indicate physical strength
beyond the ordinary.
you're Mr.. Spalding Nelson, aren't
your
that's my name" I answered
shortly.
"Mr. Gaston's--" he paused. as Il
trying to recall the relationship.
, "Mr. Gaston's great-nephew."
II guess you are him, all right" HI
said, in a manner Of evident relief
, "rm Mr.. Wick. the superintendent o.
the house."
, "of course" / answered, feeling
rather foolish at my own vexation.
'Mr. CASTOR told me you were com
Ing in this morning" he hastened t
, explain.
, HE gave me a description Of you,
Mr.. Wick went on, unperturbed. can't
= the boys in the hall were pretty sur
1t was you that came In, but"
4 But whatf"
: Il couldn't understand It. You didn'
announce yourself. 1t seemed funny
Q yoGr coming in with the young lad,
D from next door,"
r "It just happened that way" ez
4 lplained, now understanding his mysti
I fication. II met her as was CON
o ing in"
"Twice," he said, rather insoIently
o IT can't see that II Is any Of you
: business" retorted angriiy, III |
!, happened dozen times"
9 His manner at once became apolS
D getic. and he hastened to offer OF
{ sequious explanations.
sMr.. CASTOR asked me to take Pal
ticular notice. The other eyenin
; when you we're coming to dinner b
told me to tell the hall boys to loo