The HAUNTED PA

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21708, 15 February 1936, Page 7 (Supplement)

The HAUNTED PA

The Haunted

WHAT HAS HAPPENED

The Camerons hear the story of their cousins’ strange adventures in Wellington. Later Aunt Lou, while talking to Bobby and Pym, mentions the Maori with the one eyebrow, who seems to be involved in the mystery. CHAPTER IX. The Girls Unpack Bobby and Pym held their breath in excitement and exchanged significant glances. “I am glad you children -are here,” Aunt Lou remarked. "The homestead is very lonely sometimes, and the constant roar of the sea becomes monotonous, especially in winter time. I only hope you will be careful and not run any risk of danger.” She rose and turning to the window, said, “You have a wonderful view of the sea coast from here. There are several old caves just below you on the beach, and also a few which, run back into the face of the cliff. This was your mother’s room, Pym. and your father, Bobby, slept in the one at present occupied by the boys. So you are botri part of the homestead, too.” Bobby and Pym gazed silently out of the little latticed window which faced the blue grey Tasman Sea. It was a wild lonely scene. Far beneath the dull red iron sand glinted in the morning sunlight Suddenly Bobby turned to her aunt impulsively. “I love the homestead already,” she exclaimed. “I feel as if I belong here.” "I love it, too,” said Pym softly, "and thank you, Aunt Lou, for giving me mother’s little room.” Aunt Lou smiled, well pleased at these comments. Then glancing toward the girls’ luggage she asked briskly. “Is there anything I can do to help you both?” “Oh, it won’t take long,” Pym answered cheerfully. “I am going to help Bobby and then she is going to help me.” “And three’s a crowd,” added Aunt Lou, a twiilkle in her blue eyes. “Well, my dears, I shall leave you both to it, as I wish to assist Mrs Beade in the kitchen this morning.” With these words she left the room and the two girls heard her lightly descending the stairs. “I say!” gasped Bobby, “fancy Aunt Lou once knowing that Maori with the one eye-brow. Why, I thought I should never hear of him again.” "Yes; it certainly is strange,” returned Pym thoughtfully. “Of course,” continued Bobby, “he may have nothing to do with the pa. At the time of the old chief’s death he would • probably be only a child.” “Ah, but you forget he is the son of one of the warriors who knew of the treasure,” broke in Pym. “That makes a difference,” “I don’t .know about that,” argued Bobby, “Perhaps after all we are Only imagining things.” "All right,” Pym agreed, "Let’s get on with the unpacking. I want togo for a swim later on.”

They quickly set to work and had almost finished when Pym noticed a small brOwn parcel at the very bottom of her cousin’s portIH3nt6&U "What’s this. Bobby?" she asked. special!" . Bobby’s cheeks turned pink. Lifting the parcel out of the box she removed the paper and the-con-tents were disclosed. Imagine Pym’s §reat surprise when she beheld a le. a pair of field glasses with the glass of one eye missing, some String, and an old pocket knife. To Bobby’s amazement and confusion needn’t be so mean! I was thinking of the -haunted pa when I packed these things. They might come in handy.” , « "On dear!” gasped Pym, Tm not laughing at that at all. I’m really laughing at myself. Come over here.” She turned to the trunk. “Just peep inside, Bobby! I was thinking of the pa, too,” she concluded with a chuckle.

A wiie grin spread over Bobby’s face, inside the trunk she saw an old lantern and a fishing rod. “Well,” laughed Pym. “Looks as if We both thought alike, doesn’t it?” In a few minutes the unpacking was completed. The two girls had just donned their bathing costumes when they heard Barry’s voice at the door. “I say, you girls, hurry up, we’re waiting!” , “Come on, Bobby,” cried Pym throwing her, towel over her shoulder, and together they followed the boys down into the garden. • CHAPTER X. Pym Visits Hakawaka School holidays are like icecream on a hot day. They simply melt away, and before any of them were alive to tjne fact the children had been nearly a fortnight at the. homestead. Every day there was something fresh to do. Discovering a large gap in the macrocarpa fence which overlooked the river the' children soon made a track down to their favourite swimming pod, where they spent the greater part‘of the day, either in the water or sun-

bathing on the bank. Sometimes they would gaze towards the Old,pa and talk over its. romantic .story, but so far* they had mode no expeditions in. that direction. . 4 Then one morning while on her way down for a swim Pym cut her foot on a sharp pebble. It was not a deep' cut, but proved to be painful enough to keep-her indoors for a few days. At first Bobby insisted on remaining with her cousin to keep, her company, but Aunt Lou would not permit heir to do so. “No, Bobby,” she said* “You go out with the boys. Pym and I shall read until you come back.” On the fourth day after Pyms accident the cut began to heaL That afternoon Mrs Beade had arranged to drive into Hakawaka for the.stores, and--ns Bobby and the boys were out fishing,. Aunt .Lou suggested that Pym should, go,, too. “While Mrs Beade is shopping you can stay in Mr Glum’s store,” , said Aunt Lou. “I think it would be wise, dear, riot to walk, too far at present, and Mrs Beade 'can call

for you again with the horse and trap.” Pym promised to be content with this arrangement. Although it was the middle of the week in Hakawaka it might have been Sunday. With the exception of several small children the main street was deserted. Pym voiced her thoughts aloud to Mrs Beade. “Why, Sunday is the township’s busiest day!” said Aunt Lou's housekeeper. “Everyone drives into town on that day.” “What do they do?" queried Pym. “Well, some go to church and others stand round the street corners gossiping. All the news of the countryside is related here on Sunday a. They’ll have something to talk about , this week, too.” Pym glanced at Mrs .Beade curiously. “Why, has something happened?” • I dpn’t know about happened, but the story told, by, that boy from Dare’s farm will certainly create a . sensation,” “About ‘ the ghost of the haunted pa?” Pym, asked. “Ghost, rubbish!” snapped Mrs Beade as she drew the trap up before Glum’s starsi

"Have you ever be«fe. ! pa?” questioned Pyafi; -M—----"Of course'not. ’ ever go near -tbs'Mrs Beade, regarding ously, -% " ‘ " “Would you like to slated. ‘ "No. 1 wouldnV, ggpSMaßi Beade emphatically.' "Good morning;** cheerily as they "What’s the news vtw&mSßmM stead, ma'am? 1 ; pym looked at him-MOMH The name Glum cenusmffl||H suit the vivacious stood before her. . - “jjWM “All quite well, thank of sliced peaches,” t she Beade say as Mr Gluffl-TOMH the order. - i pym’s eves wandered..jawHSlW store. Everything clean. Beside • the, three rickety chairs. eyWfflipWH| the convenience of cqswHnsgEsMW had-come a long seemed to seU cardigans hung beside "-WPfySMB of brown onions,. and adorned the sides of a “I shall leave the child I return,” Mrs Seade s in upon Pym’s ‘ have a few calls 'to make -am-MBM dressmaker to visit, burl as quick -as I can.” "Quite all right,” bowed Mrjjggjg “The pleasure is mine.,' JSSSBH she can tell me world up north, whue..;ygSaßWi away.” He gave Pym nod. , ' * ■■VaBiBB “Come and sit. down my dear.” , “Well, and what do you Hakawaka?” he asked. - "Oh. I think it is—r moment a customer store. The reply, suddenly mgs| pym’s throat. Surely she dreaming! The ? appearance stranger immediately aturacw^gM attention. He had- only brow. ‘ WHAT WILL PYM GLUM’S STORE? AWJjggM CHAPTER NEXT