10-Story Book, July 1931 — page 38: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

36 10-STORY BEGINS ITS 30TH SUCCESSFUL YEAR! read de note, Missy. Maybe it done tol’ you what he wants to know.” The girl seated herself in the lawn swing and opened the letter. “My dear Miss Graydon: Since you dismissed me so sum- marily last evening, I feel that I cannot talk to you except in direct opposition to your will. But please don’t venture into Piedmont Castle— especially at night—until I learn more about the origin of the anony- mous letter. Of course you have a perfect right there, but as I have fears for your personal safety, [ make this final re- quest. Just tell Mose that you have changed your plans, and I will un- derstand. Very truly yours, Milan D. Colby, Jr.” Dorris folded the letter and handed it back to Mose. “You may tell Mr. Colby that I am not afraid of an old dilapidated house and therefore am not to be fright- ened by his childish fears. You may also tell him that he may get his little hobby- horse and take a ride to Banbury Cross.” After the old darky had left him, Colby took up the briar hook and began using it vigorously. The sudden twist of a vine jerked his ring from his finger, and al- though he searched for ten minutes he was unable to find it. He saw Mose re- turning and hurried to meet him. “What was her answer, Mose?” ‘Well, Mar’s Colby, she used so’ter big words lak you an’ yo’ faddah, sah; but it sounded about lak dis: “I ain’t skeerd of no dyin’ apple plated house, an’ tell him also to go git his bob-tailed pony and go fur a ride to blackberry crossin’.” Colby frowned. “Very well, Mose. You may discontinue your weed cutting. Miss Graydon, being such a man-eater, may prefer jungles to lawns. I had intended to look around a bit, but will not, now— it being her property. However, I want you to keep a watch for me and see if anyone comes here this evening or to- night. I will pay you for your time. If Miss Graydon comes, you must let me know at once. Here’s another dollar, Mose.” “Thankee, Mar’s Colby. watch, sah.” “And Mose—here’s the key to the Castle. Give it to Miss Graydon if she shows up.” “Yas, sah. Ef de young lady wants to git *voured by de debbil’s ghostes, jes’ let he go: am dat hit?” Colby smiled. “Not exactly that, Mose. You just keep watch as I told you.” I'll keep a It was full dark when the silent form of Dorris Graydon made its way through the tangled shrubbery and up to the front entrance of Piedmont Castle. There she paused. Was this just the thing to do? —she asked herself. Although the prop- erty was hers legally, it most certainly was not morally, and she had no right there. She seemed to be treading on sacred and forbidden ground. No—she would turn back; apologize to Colby, deed the place back to him, and the incident would be closed. But that irresistible spirit of adven- ture !—It must be satisfied. She would go just inside the door—if -it was unlocked—so that she could make her word good to Colby, and then leave. She tried the knob: it turned and the door opened. Then slowly and with some trepidation, she entered and stood in the pitchy darkness. Everything was as still as the tomb! The door behind her closed, and she heard a key turn in the lock! She turned quickly and the next mo- ment the hallway was flooded with light! ECORNICLOOKS.E© im