Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-08-07
The Case Of The Carefaker 2 ...: p s.s.

Harry's brow was black
That's old Murgatroyd. She and her
husband were caretakers in the old
house. They were there for nearly 30
years"
why does she shake her fist at
you?'
Harrys face got red.
"She-well. she resented the house
being pulled down. And she got the
sack, Of course. Her husbands been
dead two years. They say she got
bit queer after he died"
rs she-she isn't-starving?"
Louise's ideas were vague and some
what melodramatic. Riches prevented
you coming into contact with reality
Harry was outraged.
Good Lord, Louise, what an ideal
I pensioned her off, of course-and
handsomely, too! Found her a new
cottage and everything"
Louise asked, bewildered: Then why
does she mind2"
Harry was frowning, his brows
drawn together: "Oh, how should I
know? Greatness! She loved the
! house"
But 1t was ruin, wasn't it?'
pieces-roof leaking-more orr less un-
safe. All the same suppose it meant
something to her. She's been there a
long time. Oh, I don't know! The old
devils cracked. I think"
Louise said uneasily: "She-I think
she cursed us. Oh, Harry, wish she
| hadn't"
1t seemed to Louise that her new
home was tainted and poisoned by
the malevolent figure of one crazy old
woman. When she went out in the
car, when she rode, when she walked
out with the dogs, there was always
the same figure waiting. Crouched
down on herself, a battered hat over
| wisps of iron gray hair and the slow
muttering Of imprecations.
Louise came to believe that Harry
was right-the old woman was mad.
Nevertheless that did not make things
easier Mrs. Murgatroyd never actually
same to the house, nor did she use def
mite threats, nor offer violence. Her
squatting figure remained always just
outside the gates. To appeal to the
police would have been useless and,
in any case, Harry Laxton was averse
" lIldG SOuloC "a dStlOil. ~ "OpAA, Az
said, arouse local sympathy for the
old brute. He took the matter more
easily than Louise did.
Don't worry about it, darling. She'll
get tired of this silly cursing business.
Probably she's only trying it on"
"She isn't, Harry. She-she hates
us! I can feel it. She-shes ill-wishing
U.s."
~ tol, low tr,ry off y,
she may look like one! Don't be morbid
about it ALL"
1 Louise was silent. Now that the first
excitement Of settling in was over, she
felt curiously lonely and at loose end
She had been used to life in London
and the Riviera. She had no knowledge
of or taste for English country life
She was ignorant of gardening, excep,
for the final act of doing the flow
ers." She did not really care for dogs
She was bored by such neighbors as
she met. She enjoyed riding best
sometimes with Harry, sometimes
when he was busy about the estate, by
herself. She hacked through the woods
and lanes, enjoying the easy PAGES
of the beautiful horse that Harry had
bought for her. Yet even Prince Hal
most sensitive of chestnut Steeds, was
wont to shy and snort as he carried
his mistress past that huddled figure
of a malevolent old woman.
One day Louise took her courage in
both hands. She was out walking. She
had passed Mrs. Murgatroyd, pretend
ing not to notice her, but suddenly she
swerved back and went right up to
her. She said, a little breathlessly
What is it? What's the matter? What
do you want?"
The old woman blinked at her. She
had a cunning, dark gypsy face. with
wisps of iron gray hair, and bleared
suspicious eyes. Louise wondered if she
drank.
She spoke in whining and yet
threatening voice: what do I want
you ask? What, indeed! That which
has been took away from me. Who
turned me out of Kingsdean House?
I'd lived there, girl and woman, for
near on 40 years. 1t was black deed
to turn me out and it's black bad luck
it'll bring to you and him!"
Louise said you've got very nice
cottage and"
She broke off. The old woman's arms
flew up. She screamed: Whats the
good of that to me? It's my own place
I want and my own fire as I sat be-
side all the years. And as for you and
him, I'm telling you there will be no
happiness for you in your new fine