Hungry Horse news and Columbian. [volume] (Columbia Falls, Mont.) 1946-1948, 1947-11-14

J ing round carefully to make sur
that everything was packed. Sn
could carry her own bag an
Todd's light one, and he coul
take Barby. With care, Barb,
would not wake at all. Ii sh
should, and they were caught
She lifted her head and stoo,
gazing incredulously at the wal!
The lowest attic stair had creakec
She could see perfectly. TIL
light illuminated the full lowe
half of the flight, but there wa
nobody at all on the stairs.
CHE was sitting on the foo
- when Todd came back a few
minutes later. Her palms were
pressed to her eyes and she wa
saying to herself in low voice
1--WE gone mad. 1 must hav'
gone mad"
"Georgine, what is it," He
knelt beside her.
II couldn't scream when l saw
nothing at all, could II" She took
down her hands and looked at him
dull-eyed "G-get everyone W
just to tell them there wasn't any
one on the stairs but Footsteps?
wait minute. What is this?'
1.-THE treads creaked, one after
another, and no one was there
He was halfway to his feet
when she caught at him. mo,
Todd! Don't go into that stair
we'll! Please, if I've ever asked
you for anything"
"No, listen to me-" She took a
deep breath and shuddered once,
strongly. II know that wasn't a
ghost, of course. 1t can't have
been. Butts some kind of
trap"
"I'm not 80 sure" He was still
unruffled. eff someone did engi-
neer that special effect, maybe we
were meant to think that we had
been mistaken all along, that
there had never been living per
son in the attic. Or, if we didn't
believe in ghosts we might con-
vince ourselves that the house
made those noises all by itself;
you see?"
Maybe" Georgine murmured,
her eyes fixed on his. but don't
like this human agency any better
than the supernatural. Thank
heaven, we're packed; we need
not waste a minute"
"I'm afraid we must" His arm
was steady about her shoulders.
"Just before 1 started to roll the
car out looked at tLs gas gauge.
Somebody's let all the gas out of
the tank. And the new coupons
aren't good for two more days"
"Can you take it for few
hours more?" he said levelly. "In
the morning I'll see what can do |
with a few threats"
"I'll have try at taking it,
said Georgine drearily. "There
sn't much else to do. You won't |
go into the stair well? Will you
promise ?"
II promise. My poor love, it's
about time you had your innings"
She heard him quietly re-seat
in the hall; she fell back
against the pillows, still weak
With shock. It would be impos-
'ible to sleep. :.
MORNING sun made the new
WI leaves a gilded green, outside.
3arby was climbing into the bed
beside her, jabbeSng about break
asst, and there were voices in the
lall.
Horace's soft tones, muffled and
looming in the enclosed stairway,
Hey, who left this mop down
lere?"
"Mop?" Todd was courteously ,
Interested.
yeah. Wedged into the banis.
ers, right across the stairs. Great
iod!" Horace sounded aggrieved.
If fellow had come running
own here in the dark, he'd have
ripped on it and broken his
eek"
Georgine sat up. Eyes, darling"
he said in low voice to Barby,
you get dressed now, as fast as
gu can. We're going home
itto!"
To-day? Oh, Mamma, l haven't
alf finished looking at those old
lings in the trunks"
But we must go some time,
earest. You can't stay out of
,hool forever"
Todd lighted cigarette and |
rolled into the front hall in her |
axe. 1.-THE question of pay" he !
nd gently, sis rather involved, |
Il admit. You're an honest wo-
an, Nella, and you have no car |
your own"
She turned, the gray eyes wide. |
haven't"
$50 you'd have no use for the |
You're thrifty, too. |
ont tell me you poured it all |
1t on the ground ?" |
Mrs. Peabody's glance fell be- |
re Todd's level one. A tall figure |
lowed through the stained glass :
side the front door, and she
rned as if more than grateful
r the interruption.