Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-21

mont and inquiry as it toddlet
down the beautifully oiled and
FURNISHED highway along
which flashed incessaAat thous
ands in money masqueraGng or
wheels. 1t lad no cover, it was
patched with boards from packing
boxes, its horn was a squeak and II
jolted and ratified and roared like q
rusty thrashing machine. The back
end held much shabby gear and the
seat held three persons, a young de
termined looking man. tired but
patient woman and a wan little girl
that was held by her mothers arm.
I'm going to turn off here and get
out of this traffic" Ben Robins said
as they came to the point where dirt
road branched of under many trees.
"It is fearfully hot" May sighed
and she looked anxiously down into
Peaches small face. Peaches belied
her name just then, so pale and visit
full was she.
"Are we most there, mummy" she
asked.
Most there, darling" Yet when
May Robins said that she had not
the least idea where there" was go
ing to be, save that it must be a
and living water. For the doctor
who had ordered them out Of the
city on Peaches account had been
most peremptory; the child's life was
at stake. Take her to the country" he
had said, as if all they had to do was
to snatch a purse and go. Little he
knew of the real condition of affairs
with the Robins family-how Ben had
been out of work for two months and
how the savings account, never large
at best, had dwindled. But Peaches
must be saved, so Ben had bought
the old car for thirty dollars, patched
it up, loaded 1t with essentials and set
forth gayly on a camping expedition
which should restore Peaches to
health.
It was now five o'clock Of a tor
rid afternoon and they were baked
with the sun which the motion OF
the car had only slightly alleviated,
choked with thirst, dusty, hungry and
worn out. And still no place had
appeared that seemed suitable; the
rest camps were too crowded, and
other spots were damp after the
heavy rain of the night before.
1t was delightful in the new road,
quiet, refreshingly cool, and green,
with thickets and strong trees. And
woods.
II wish May was beginning
when she espied little gray cabin set
among the trees shyly like some wild
woodsy thing. There was a stir 60
ing on about the place; at that mo-
ment a young woman came out of
the front door with her arms full and
climbed into a smart red car in which
evidently her husband was waiting.
why, they are moving outr' May
said. "Oh, if we could have a house
like that, Ben. Stop and ask them
about it,
Instead of stopping Ben turned the
old roadster into the rude road and
they approached the cabin and the
two young people who were just leav-
ing.
Hello! Pulling up stakes?'' Ben
asked in his pleasant way which
never failed to win a cordial re-
Spouse.
a You bet we are,'' answered the
young man while his wife climbed in;
1--WE couldn't stand it any longer,
though we'd hired it for a MONTH
What's the matter?" Ben asked,
pulling the old car to standstill.
Ghosts" answered the young
woman earnestly. The place is
haunted. WOu1QflI stay mere an
other night if they'd give me a mil
lion dollars"
You are joking" Ben said. smiling.
I'm not" The woman's eyes
flashed. IF you'd heard the awful
murder story, to say nothing of the
disturbances" she shuddered.
IT don't know whether it's haunted
or not" said the young man, "but
we're going. We can't go quick
enough" And they started.
we have this place? Is there any,
thing to hinder?"
Nothing but the ghosts; rents
to you. You'll know lot more when
the man drove rapidly away.
What's ghosts, mummy" asked
Peaches.
May laughed. Nothing that will
bother you, darling. Remember daddy
and are here to take care of you"
They went in. There were two
rooms, kitchen and living room,
stove, a built-in bed, cupboards, a
table, chairs and swinging lamp.
"Lovely!' crowed Nay. She was
flushed and eager NOW, then, Benny
boy, we'll set up housekeeping.
In no time at all they were snugly
at home. May friZZled bacon and
boiled a kettle over the fire, Ben
made. She cut bread, opened a tiny
can Of condensed milk, and they sat
down to q sumptuous fare, heartily
enjoyed. Even Peaches ate a lot for
her.
ssT Iowa a. a. SvoaIle - II. ., -.