Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-24
nped vigorously

It get dreadfully lonesome sometimes" he
sighed
IT wonder" Buck began, and then subsidized.
She seemed to be thinking. But she reused
when they drew up to big gate.
please don't drive in, Mr.. Knight-Errant
can sneak in the back way"
Bob grinned at her cordially. You're
great kid Hope we happen along next time
you get begged up"
IT do, too. And I hope" She stood on
the running board. II hope you and Miss"
And hope you'll change your clothes be-
fore you take cold" said Nancy hastily.
Yes. Well-So long,"
Buck fiuttered to the parched grass, waved
her hand! Then she struck out down the road,
ducked into a cotton field and disappeared.
Bob turned the car.
Some kid" he chuckled.
IAN experience" Nancy told him icily ct
have no wish to repeat. why you thought 1t
necessary to tell her"
1T was all in fun, Nancy. only meant"
ITO make me ridiculous. So I understood
That abominable child-if ever any little vixen
needed to be sat in a corner and made to read
about the sanity Elsie"
Nov, Nancy, she's all right. Spunky little
devil"
Are we going to look at that house?"
"Of course Aren't we headed that way?"
Then wen keep to that subject if you
please. Unless You want to go back without
me-"
"Oh, well, of course, If you're mad again"
But both forgot their tempers when they saw
the place. Silent, deserted woefulIy in need of
repair, Donnerton House still held charm They
went at it with enthusiasm. They planned ter
races and hardy borders in the wide front yard,
replaced the Totted flooring of the gallery with
Roman tile; papered, painted, vanished till
they could see It whole. gracious and weicom-
ing again.
That spindle STAIR" Nancy sighed. looking
Cant you just see hoopskirt coming DOWN."
"One of Bucks ghosts" Bob grinned
Nancy opened her mouth. 1t stayed open.
But no words came from it.
"O-O-oh!" walled voice down under their
1eet. Echolng generously it rose to an eerie
shrek, sank, rose again. Sobbed and died
That abominable child!" Nancy cried and
started down the stair.
Bob followed chuckling Down TO the first
floor they hurried, back to the kitchen. ON
down Shiny rotting steps to the cellar
horrible place. Dank, smelling of rot bearded
with fungus. Acrawl with things that scuttled
away from their feet. And suddenly the close
place rang with uncomfortable sound
NANCY jumped and screamed Her foot trod
on something spidery. 1t squashed hor-
ribly and she screamed again. In a half panic
born of the darkness and loathsomeness Of the
place she fed back to the steps.
IF that little hyena likes that hole" she
cried, "she can just stay there won't go
back"
Bob followed her.
She isn't there" he said But we've got
to find her. We can't leave her in this"
There throbbed up from somewhere below
scream beside which those other mutations
had been as gospel hymns.
Help! HelpI I'm falling in the waterl And
the devils got hold of my heelsl"
"A cisternl" Bob shouted. THE little aimp
will get drowned If she's not CAREFUL"
They hunted. They found it finally under
porch that had fallen in round, Old-fash-
toned cistern, its mouth level with the ground,
its cover rotted TO fragments.
BLACK as the jaws of Tophet" Bob conn
Continued on Si1teeDth Pd0a