Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1935-01-31
EBONY WATERS

Haskell entered swinging the new
key In his hand. He looked about a
moment, spied a loosened brick in
the fireplace, drew 1t out, thrust the
key in the aperture, and locked it up
again. Bladder will never find that"
he muttered.
Payne waited until the quick foot
steps died away, then he stole out feel
ing like a criminal, but sure, never
theless, that he had legitimate curl
osity In this matter. Haskells putting
on the new lock seemed natural
enough, however, as protection to
the figures from the idle eyes and fin
gers of the day scholars or from Bal
der's apparently impish desire to play
tricks with them.
Finding Arthur In his bedroom smok-
ing the black pipe which was his dar-
ling, he related the recent circun-
stances, winding up by retrogressive
process with the account of his visit to
the Moore farm.
do you believe that old farmers
story?"
"Yes-why not"
HE was the only witness Of their
Deaths"
sand their drowned bodies"
That's sol l always forget they
are buried In the little graveyard
They seem SO intensely alive expect
them some day to come upstairs and
join my scholars"
"Haskell does, too--judging by the
new lock. Do you know what thought
was in my mind down at the old
churchT
"The same that was in mine, sup
pose-that Haskell in the dim light
thought Berenice-
Exactly. She is so like the younger
one-Isabel-that it Is startling. Has
kell was frightened-plain frightened.
hope he won't come In to our festivi-
ties this evening. But l am afraid he
willw
Il believe. Wilton, he's jealous Of
your growing influence over Berenice.
She likes you, and there's nothing
would please him less than"
"And myself more. II your sharp
eyes have also discovered that am
devoted to Berenice Bracebridge,
shall not deny It."
"Janet-and ! both think"
Il am comparatively poor-and she
Is rich, or will be-"
"What's the odds, If you are fond
Of each other"
"The important thing now Is to pro-
tect her."
"From what7"
'-That's just It," Payne answered
helplessly. II don't know what the
danger is--but there Is danger. !
feel 1t in those black basement rooms
In the stiff sad drawing room, In her
own fear Of the place as II she were
only safe sitting close to little Isabel
or with her arms about Althea OF
Norman. Why did you start so?'
Lets 60 down."
"You can't take your pipe down.
stairs"
II hate this rooml Come along"
At dinner, Payne asked Gordon Has
kell some questions about the old
house. After dinner, continuing in
the same strain, he inquired: Twas
Arthur Fleming's room ever assigned
to the boarding pupilsY
mo. Why do you ask?"
Il was just wondering. It's a very
nice, large room"
1T was young Jethro's for a great
many years; then the four children
used 1t for a study room. Berenice
had 1t for a while, but gave 1t up
She said the furniture creaked so
All old furniture doesr
Eyes, Fleming says the furniture
creaks."
The evening plans included first the
making Of the fudge In the great bar
rack. Of a kitchen. The cook, and the
rather sullen young man who haC
brought up their trunks, were seated
near the range. and watched the pro
ceedings with unfeigned interest. The
old man who had driven the car III
wandered in and began to upbraid tn,
other servitor for his matchless In
competence.
"Ah. shut your mouth Nobody tolt
me to saw that wood. Balder's job
not mine"
"Much chance I'd have for kindlin,
from that great lummox; always hang
ing around where he amt no bushes.
to bel"
"Oh, well, he's teachers pet. Fl,
could set fire to the old rat trap ant
Haskell would say nothin'."
Payne almost let the great iror
spoon drop In the pan of fudge h,
was stirring. Janet and Berenice
picking meat from hickory nuts, dic
not raise their heads; nor evidence II
any way that they heard this colloqu,
Of servants. They we're def workers
Arthur had fieeting thought that al
men contemplating marriage SHOULD
see the woman of their dreams once
at least, against the background of tn,
kitchen.
The candy came to perfection, ant
was put In a window to cool. Tn,
four, two OF them feeling that the,
haA eoaaxwaA ehal- .hlY.Nh...A =.