The Room with the Tassels

Montgome

Landon had a spirited interview with their Mr. Fisher, and finally ind

any sort of a live agency you ought to do your best to get fo

it's such a crazy thing to do. How would a dignified firm

nage to try. And if the house is pleasant and attractive, it doesn't matter, between you and me, if there isn't any ghost, after all. But I want a bona fide story

lly, and because of that well-authenticated story, known to all the neighbo

t, and though the ghost part is the primary factor with some of us, my

sed to do what he could. As a lawyer of fine standing, and a man of ample

opportunity had offered, Landon telephoned for Braye

ouse up in Vermont,-in the Green Mountain region, not so very far from

far," commented

him, but here's his letter. Read it, you'll get t

d Hibbard:

thing. But it's been added to since, and it's a sort of mixed up architecture. About forty rooms into it, I should judge, though I ain't never counted them. And most of them haunted. But they ain't no use going into particulars unless somebody really wants to rent it. I've tried nineteen years, and nobody'll take it, cause it's so lonesome like. It'

rs t

h Steb

what do you think, R

s ought to go up there and size it up

e only sort of vacation I care for. I wouldn't give a picayune for a month in a big summer hotel, or a little summer boarding-house, where you may meet good talkers and you may not. But with Eve Carnforth

He's a dictatorial old chap, though a good sport, and as to

sible little piece and she's ready to eat up expe

th Uncle, and he isn't enough people for her. She ought t

is trip at least. Milly loves the little gi

m not sure Eve Carnforth is d

t Uncle, and you and Milly and me to look aft

's all right, Wynne. Now shall we d

sure we shall take it, but I think we ought to

rth was talking it o

ur insistence on taking Norma Cameron. I

ster claim you for his own! You know perf'ly well," Milly giggled, "that yo

onsense! I don't care two

p of the psychic heap, up there, and you think little Norma wil

it all, and she puts on such airs about her clairvo

antagonism or rivalry. Now, can we? And if you're in earnest, as you've always insisted you are, you ought to be glad of any help Norma can give. She feels that way about you.

not sure of Norma. She wouldn't be above preten

and square, I mean,-and so is the Professor, and I'd like to see any one fool Gifford Bruce! And little Vernie is a real wideawake. There won't be anything doing t

to discuss the house that had been

ce were so exactly opposite to those of Eve Carnforth,

rominent in war relief work and public charities of many kinds, and it is seldom possible for such a one to go through the world entire

were so delicately blended as to make a new observer suspect art's assistance. A second glance, however, removed all such suspicion, for no hare's foot could e

ush rosily if she ran up against unjustice or meanness. That was why her career of philanthropy was no

deceit marked her procedure, never did she say behi

friends with both girls, and secretly hoped that if they could all get away together, the two warring natures might react on each other for good. Then, too, both w

say, Mr. and Mrs. Landon, to go up first and look at the house. It sounds fine,

. "I think it would be a lot more fun for us all to go and see it for the first time together. Then,

herself with joy at the outlook. "Oh, what a gorgeous pa

we haven't decided to go at all,

ittle more data, somehow, and he says it's a hodge-podge old pile, as to architecture, as it's been rebuilt, or added to several times. But I don't care about all that, I mean, if

ng about it," and old Mr. Bruce's eyes twin

ed with glee. "I didn't know you were s

nting a sporting proposition. But, I say, Milly, if we're going to take Tracy, you peop

," said Landon, "but telephone him to run up here, ca

r was softened by a charming smile and a certain chivalr

sked, after the main detail

e our servants, they'd be scared to death in such a place, and, to

one estimable and valuable butler, but he's

," suggested Eve, "but get som

n, they'll be used to the place, and can tel

eproachfully, "but it's true, al

rs would take us all, and we can leave

eady, and if there's no ghost at all, I'll be just as well pleased

l own up that I don't really expect any s

ofessor Hardwick looked at her thoughtfully

anything, Prof?" a

expect, child? Do you

I never know what I mean by th

o question it, if a word was misused or uncertainly used in his presence.

make up the budget of necessary ex

d Norma, who loved the

!" said Eve

'm at my best in white linen in the summer time, but what about laundry? Well

n. Though a friend of the Landons and acquainted with Pr

e-fire smile, but Tracy s

is side; "we need a lady assistant. How much do you think it ought to

in any case it will be less than most of us would spend if we went to the average summer h

scheme! I wonder if ghost-hunters are as hungry as other

"but I shall only indulge in it between meals. Count m

d?" asked the Professor; "de

us old man. "Profundity of all kinds is my happy hunting-groun

ission is to keep you serious people joyed up. Mr. Tracy, your profession won't interfere

clergyman a bit stiffly, but w

ie went on, "for a companion on a gay lark, I don't know

d it with a benignant smile, but Gi

, miss, if you talk imp

his troupe. And I expect the spectre will appear to me first of all. That's my mo

e, while Milly Landon giggled at the pretty child, whos

an inspector to inspect the

'll take such stuff from an ignorant l

"I'll bet you couldn't have pas

e, "but after this trip of o

I don't want to sail under false colours and I wish to state positively that there are no ghosts or p

ings either, but I want an honest test. Why, you take away the whol

n't do. Come, now, give me your word there'll

test, Hardwick, it oughtn't

'm not afraid of any tricks. If

l manifestations and if I can't tell a real phantas

I think the rest of us ought to agree not to do anything of that sort. We can expect and discount Mr. B

uce solemnly pledged his or her word to do nothing tricky or fraudulent, and to pre

hing him, Mr. Bruce can't put anything ov