{"id":13994,"date":"2011-10-20T18:53:33","date_gmt":"2011-10-20T22:53:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13994"},"modified":"2026-01-20T14:42:39","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T19:42:39","slug":"the-house-on-watsons-hill-by-susan-g","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13994","title":{"rendered":"The House on Watson’s Hill (by Susan G)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>:\u00a0 Strange things abound when the family takes shelter in an abandoned Victorian era house, but is it really abandoned?<\/p>\n

Word Count: \u00a08100 \u00a0Rated: \u00a0T<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The House on Watson’s Hill<\/strong><\/p>\n

The four men riding through the maze of pine trees could barely see as the snow swirled around them. Both the icy flakes and the wind seemed to be increasing in intensity with each passing minute.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow far do you think we are from Mormon\u2019s Creek?\u201d Ben Cartwright called, trying to make his voice heard above gusts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbout three or four miles, near as I can tell, Pa,\u201d answered Hoss, Ben\u2019s middle son, in a loud voice as he turned toward his father on the horse behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure we\u2019re headed in the right direction?\u201d yelled Hoss\u2019 brother Adam, who was riding next to Ben. Adam\u2019s voice contained more than a hint of doubt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I can\u2019t exactly see the sun to be sure,\u201d admitted Hoss. \u201cWe were heading east the last time I took a bearing, so I figure we\u2019re still going pretty much in that direction.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPretty much?\u201d called Adam, the skepticism in his voice increasing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, if you want to lead, older brother, that\u2019s fine with me,\u201d Hoss replied with a shrug.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam shook his head no, his verbal response lost in the howl of the wind.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe we should go up that hill,\u201d called Joe, the youngest of the Cartwright brothers, from his place at the rear of the group. He pointed to his right toward a break in the trees where the ground sloped upward. \u201cWe might be able to see something from the top that will\u2026\u201d The rest of Joe\u2019s sentence was lost in a series of sneezes which shook his body. When the spasm passed, Joe took a deep breath and then coughed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Twisting a bit in his saddle, Ben gave his youngest son a worried look. He saw Joe\u2019s hand wave at him, a silent message from his son that he shouldn\u2019t be concerned. But Ben <\/span>was<\/span> concerned, both about Joe and about rapidly deteriorating weather surrounding him and his boys.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben wondered how things had gotten so bad so fast. He and his sons had left Ogden early this morning on an autumn day which, if not exactly warm, at least offered the promise of clear, mild weather. He had been anxious to return home to the Ponderosa after delivering a herd of cattle. Ben had allowed his sons two days of rest in Ogden \u2013 although he wouldn\u2019t have categorized their late nights playing poker and pool as restful \u2013 but had insisted they leave for home at first light this morning. The four men had ridden out of Ogden under a cloudless sky.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was at the stop for the noon meal when things started to take a turn for the worse. Joe had begun sneezing, showing the signs of cold coming on. Then Hoss had spotted the dark clouds, heavy with moisture, rolling over the mountains. Ben had decided not to return to Ogden, more than a half day’s ride away, but rather to push on to Mormon\u2019s Creek, a small town about three hours ahead of them. He had felt confident in his decision, feeling sure they could out-run the storm. Now Ben regretted his choice deeply.<\/span><\/p>\n

The temperature had started dropping and the wind began blowing less than half an hour after the Cartwrights broke noon camp. The dark clouds, moving with surprising speed, had caught up with them shortly thereafter. The four men were only an hour away from their campsite when the snow began falling. The light flurries had turned rapidly into wet, heavy flakes, covering both the ground and the Cartwrights with a coat of white. The men had slipped their ponchos on over their coats but while the oil-cloth offered some protection from the wetness, the ponchos offered little in the way of warmth. In the last hour, the storm had shown the makings of a full-blown blizzard \u2013 and Joe\u2019s sneezing had gotten worse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben shouted in answer to Joe\u2019s suggestion about the hill. \u201cIf we stray off the trail, we might never find our way back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat trail?\u201d observed Adam loudly. \u201cThe snow has covered anything that might be a trail. All we\u2019re doing is riding through the widest gap in the trees. At least up there, we might be able to figure out where we are or spot some landmarks to use. For all we know, we could be riding around in circles.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe ain\u2019t riding in circles,\u201d Hoss declared with a scowl. \u201cBut I agree with Adam and Joe. Up on that hill, we can get a better fix on where we are and which way to go. Even if we can\u2019t, we won\u2019t be no worse off than we are now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Before he could offer his opinion, Ben heard two loud sneezes and turned just in time to see Joe wiping his nose with the sleeve of his coat. His son gave him a sheepish grin before erupting with another sneeze.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, let\u2019s head up the hill,\u201d Ben agreed, reining his horse to the right. \u201cMaybe we\u2019ll get lucky and find some shelter where we can ride out this storm.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

**********<\/span><\/p>\n

As the Cartwrights rode up the slope, the swirling snow prevented them from seeing much of the area in front of them. What they could see, however, was a broad trail, flanked by tall trees, leading up to a flat piece of land at the crest of the hill. The trail, which was wide enough for the Cartwrights to ride two abreast, appeared to be man-made; it was remarkably straight with evidence of branches having been cleanly chopped off the trees and bushes on either side of it. Ben felt a glimmer of hope that the pathway would lead them to a structure that could offer them shelter from the cold and snow.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Adam and Ben reached the crest of the hill, they abruptly pulled their horses to a halt. Joe and Hoss, who were riding behind their father and brother, guided their horses alongside the first two.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong\u2026\u201d started Joe but he stopped as he gaped at the sight at which the other three were staring in astonishment.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the middle of the cleared land on the top of the hill stood a two-story Victorian mansion.<\/span><\/p>\n

The house had steep gables and pointed windows, with a roof painted in what was now a faded green. The balcony of the second story was supported by tall pillars which had been placed at the edge of a broad porch that ran across the front of the building. The paint on both the house and the pillars was white, although time and weather appeared to have cracked and chipped the covering. The stone steps leading up to the porch also were gouged and weather-worn. Just barely visible behind the house was a large building which looked like a barn.<\/span><\/p>\n

The house appeared deserted; no light was visible from any of the many windows and no smoke sneaked its way out of the chimney on the roof. The snow on the ground around the mansion was pristine, without any trace of footprints.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho would build a house like that way out here in the middle of nowhere?\u201d asked Adam, the surprise evident in his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know but\u2026\u201d The rest of Joe\u2019s words were lost in a fit of sneezing.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sound of his son\u2019s sneeze woke Ben from his reverie. \u201cIt\u2019s a Godsend,\u201d he said, \u201calmost a miracle. Let\u2019s go see if anyone is home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As the four men rode up to the house, they could see the mansion probably had been deserted for some time. The pillars showed the teeth marks of gnawing animals and the edge of the stone porch was broken off in several places. As the Cartwrights dismounted and climbed the steps to the building, they could see wooden planks nailed in an X across the front windows which surprisingly still held their glass panes intact. The wood of the front door was a dull brown, with only a few patches of polish giving evidence of what must have been a glossy varnish covering it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhoever owned this place must have locked up when they left,\u201d commented Ben as he tried several times without success to turn the tarnished gold knob on the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moving to one of the front windows, Joe peered into the house through the gap in the planks. \u201cIt looks like the place is empty,\u201d he called.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI bet I can break down that door,\u201d Hoss offered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019ll let in the cold and snow after you do it,\u201d stated Adam, shaking his head. \u201cThere must be another way to get in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nodding his agreement, Ben gave the doorknob one last turn, more as a gesture than expecting any result. This time, however, the knob clicked and the door opened a bit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you do that?\u201d asked Adam with raised eyebrows.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben admitted, sounding a bit bewildered. \u201cI guess I must have knocked some rust off when I turned it before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care how you did it,\u201d declared Joe with a sniffle. \u201cLet\u2019s go in and get out of this snow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cartwrights walked into a small foyer in the darkened interior of the house. A few feet ahead of them was a staircase with a mahogany railing. The railing, stairs and foyer floor were covered with a thick layer of dust. A long hallway leading to the back of the house separated the stairs from an equally lengthy wall in which two doorways were cut. Ben led his sons through the first doorway and into a room.<\/span><\/p>\n

The large room looked as abandoned as the rest of the house; it was devoid of furniture save a sofa which was missing its legs, an overstuffed chair which was ripped down the middle, and a small table with half of its top missing. Although dark and dusty, the room did show evidence of past elegance — a large fireplace topped by a mahogany mantel, faded green wallpaper and a moth-eaten green carpet which covered the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we settle in here until the storm passes,\u201d suggested Ben. \u201cThere\u2019s no need for us to go traipsing through the rest of the house.\u201d He looked around uneasily. \u201cI\u2019m feeling a bit like an intruder as it is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s downright cozy,\u201d agreed Hoss. He crooked his head toward his older brother. \u201cMe and Adam will take care of the horses. That barn in the back should keep \u2018em nice and dry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Adam and Hoss left the house, Joe took a step toward his father. \u201cI\u2019ll go gather some wood for a fire,\u201d he offered. \u201cThere were plenty of branches on the ground near the trail, and the snow\u2019s not so bad that I can\u2019t find my way\u2026\u201d His sentence was interrupted by a loud sneeze.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning, Ben took a close look at his youngest son. Joe\u2019s eyes were red and watery, his nose was chapped at the edges and his cheeks were flushed. Joe confirmed his father\u2019s diagnosis that his cold was getting worse when he erupted with yet another sneeze.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get the wood,\u201d Ben stated firmly. \u201cYou stay in here.\u201d His expression softened as he added, \u201cYou should get some rest, take care of yourself. We have enough on our hands without you getting really sick.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just a cold,\u201d Joe insisted. \u201cI\u2019ll be over it in a day or two.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you will, if you take care of yourself,\u201d Ben countered. His gaze swept the room. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you lie down on the sofa and take a little nap. I\u2019ll be back soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Joe could protest further, Ben walked out of the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now that he was alone, Joe was willing to admit to himself that he felt awful. His head was throbbing, his nose was stuffed up, and his muscles ached. He sneezed again\u00a0and then winced a bit when he ran his sleeve across his increasingly sore nose. Looking at the couch, Joe thought the thick cushions and heavily padded armrests appeared very comfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mindful of his father\u2019s words about feeling like an intruder even in an empty house, Joe carefully removed his poncho, trying to keep the moisture from dripping onto the carpet. Then he unbuckled his gunbelt and rolled it up. After glancing around the room, Joe decided to place the gun and poncho on the floor near the back of the legless sofa.<\/span><\/p>\n

Satisfied that his gear was neatly stowed away, Joe lowered himself onto the inviting couch and closed his eyes. In less than a minute, he was sound asleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

**********<\/span><\/p>\n

Although he had been asleep for only a short time, Joe increasingly felt the need to wake up. He fought the feeling briefly, and then slowly opened his eyes. The room around him was still dim, with only a few small rays of light managing to work their way through the boards over the window. Joe couldn\u2019t see anyone in the room yet he had the feeling someone was staring at him. He shifted a bit on the sofa and lifted his head. Suddenly he saw something at the far end of the room. The image was barely visible, but to Joe, it looked like the fuzzy outline of a person. He blinked, trying to clear his eyes of the blur caused by both sleep and his cold. The light was so poor that that he could barely see across the room. The image was still indistinct but Joe thought he made out a head topped with white hair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Joe called, \u201cis that you?\u201d Receiving no answer, Joe sat up and tried again. \u201cPa?\u201d He rubbed his eyes forefingers, then peered across the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whoever had been standing at the end of the room was now gone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Frowning, Joe got up and walked to far side of the room. Nothing was there except a solid wall and a thick layer of dust. Joe looked down at the floor but there were no footprints or evidence that the grime on the carpet had been disturbed. Near the corner, about head high, were strands of a spider web covered with a layer of dust; a plank of dark wood leaned against the wall under the web.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Joe tried to remember what he had seen \u2013 or thought he had seen. All he could recall was an outline of what seemed to be a man with white hair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMust have been a trick of the light,\u201d Joe muttered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe surveyed the dim room again but it was clear that no one was there but him. Shrugging, he walked back across the carpet to the sofa. He laid down on the thick cushions once more and fell asleep almost instantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

**********<\/span><\/p>\n

With arms full of bedrolls and saddlebags, Adam and Hoss trudged across the snow-covered yard toward the house. It had taken them longer than they had anticipated to settle the horses, but that was because they found the barn to be better equipped than they would have thought. Their animals were now unsaddled and relaxing in stalls, each with a bucket of melting snow for water and a bit of grain culled from an old sack laying in the back of the structure. The barn had been as well built as the house, and the horses were sheltered from the wind and snow. Hoss had even found an old lantern with enough oil in it to stay lit for at least a few hours. He had added the lamp to the gear which he and Adam were carrying back to the old mansion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis storm isn\u2019t letting up any,\u201d observed Adam. \u201cWe may be stuck here for awhile.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking up, Hoss studied the sky for a moment. The clouds were dark gray, and the snow was still billowing to the ground. He was just about to agree with his brother when something else caught his eye.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Adam, look there,\u201d called Hoss, pointing to the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d asked Adam, peering in the direction of Hoss\u2019 outstretched arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUp there, at the second-floor window,\u201d Hoss answered. \u201cSee him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Craning his head, Adam blinked away some snowflakes as he stared at the mansion. \u201cI don\u2019t see anything,\u201d he told his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe ain\u2019t there now,\u201d Hoss admitted. \u201cBut I sure thought I saw a fella standing at the window a second ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did he look like?\u201d asked Adam. \u201cMaybe it was Pa or Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNaw, it weren\u2019t neither of them,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cHe was too small for Pa, and Joe don\u2019t have white hair like this fella did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see his face?\u201d Adam inquired, his curiosity piqued.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I couldn\u2019t make it out,\u201d Hoss conceded. \u201cIt was kind of fuzzy-like. I guess the snow got in my eyes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam continued to gaze at the window but it remained as dark as the rest of the house. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing there,\u201d Adam declared. \u201cYou must have been seeing things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI saw someone,\u201d Hoss insisted. \u201cI know I did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, it doesn\u2019t look like anyone has lived in that house for years,\u201d Adam stated firmly. \u201cIt must have been your imagination. Now let\u2019s get inside before we turn into snowmen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Adam started forward, Hoss stood and stared at the house. There was no movement, no light, no image near the window. He took a deep breath and began walking after his brother. \u201cI know I saw something,\u201d he muttered but his words were lost in the wind.<\/span><\/p>\n

**********<\/span><\/p>\n

When Joe awoke, he was momentarily confused. He remembered going to sleep alone in a cold, dimly lit room. Now he felt warm and could see dark figures sitting in a gauzy glow of light. It took Joe a minute to clear his head and understand that his father and brothers had returned to the house, obviously lighting a fire and covering him with a blanket after doing so.<\/span><\/p>\n

Throwing back the blanket, Joe sat up and stretched his arms, trying to loosen the cramped muscles in his neck and shoulders.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, little brother, you\u2019re finally awake. I thought maybe you was going to sleep your life away,\u201d commented Hoss with a grin. The big man was sitting on the floor with his back against the wall near the doorway.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow long have I been asleep?\u201d asked Joe in a thick, raspy voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbout three hours,\u201d answered Adam, who was sprawled in the overstuffed chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow are you feeling, Joe?\u201d Ben asked as he straightened up from tending the fire in the fireplace.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before answering, Joe took a quick inventory of his head, nose, and throat. \u201cBetter,\u201d he finally replied. \u201cMy head is still a bit stuffed up and my throat is scratchy, but the headache is almost gone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Walking over to his son, Ben put his hand on Joe\u2019s forehead. \u201cA bit of fever but not much,\u201d Ben noted. \u201cThat rest was probably the best medicine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it was,\u201d agreed Joe. He looked around the room, noting a lantern glowing with a low light atop the broken table and the wood burning in the fireplace. His gaze paused for a moment on the far corner of the room\u00a0but saw nothing but the cobwebs shimmering in the reflected light. \u201cYou\u2019ve made this place nice and cozy,\u201d Joe remarked. \u201cDid you look around the rest of the house?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam did,\u201d replied Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe other rooms are pretty much like this,\u201d conceded Adam. \u201cEmpty except for a piece of broken furniture here and there. The upstairs is empty, too.\u201d Adam glanced at Hoss as he spoke but his brother steadfastly avoided looking at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got some coffee on the fire,\u201d Ben added. \u201cNow that you\u2019re awake, I\u2019ll start cooking us up some beans.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEven with this cold, I can smell the coffee,\u201d Joe declared. \u201cCan I have a cup?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben started toward the fireplace\u00a0but stopped abruptly when he heard a noise coming from the front of the house. As he turned around, Ben noted that his sons also were staring at the doorway — Adam with curiosity and Joe and Hoss with a bit of uneasiness. The noise stopped and then started up again, the thud of footsteps followed by the creak of a door being opened slowly. More footsteps, this time scraping across the wooden floor, followed the sound of a door being closed. The temperature in the room dropped suddenly as a blast of cold air wafted through it. A shadow flitted briefly across the jamb of the doorway and then disappeared.<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, two men appeared in the doorway.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, fellows, mind if we share your place?\u201d inquired a tall, thin man wearing a layer of snow over his black hat and dark coat. \u201cThat storm is getting pretty bad.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As he relaxed his tensed muscles, Ben smiled. \u201cYou\u2019re welcome to come in. We took refuge here from the storm ourselves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The tall man entered the room, followed by a shorter, heavy-set man also covered in snow. While the first man wore a pleasant expression on his face, the second traveler scowled and gave a wary look around the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Tom Harper,\u201d the tall man said by way of introduction. \u201cThis here is Gus Mason.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen Cartwright,\u201d returned Ben. \u201cThese are my sons \u2013 Adam, Hoss and Joe.\u201d Ben nodded at each of his boys as he introduced them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGlad to meet you,\u201d Harper acknowledged. He hesitated and then continued. \u201cBen Cartwright, eh? Don\u2019t you have a big ranch over in Nevada?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we do,\u201d replied Ben evenly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you doing over here in Utah?\u201d pressed Harper. \u201cYou\u2019re a long way from home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were traveling on business,\u201d explained Ben vaguely. \u201cWe got caught in the storm and decided to wait it out here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBusiness?\u201d Harper mused. \u201cMust have been delivering a herd of cattle to Ogden, right? Was it a big herd?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust business,\u201d Ben answered shortly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s room in the barn for your horses if you want to get them out of the weather,\u201d Adam interjected. \u201cIt\u2019s a pretty solid structure, so they\u2019ll be safe from the storm.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d said Harper with a nod. \u201cWe\u2019ll do that.\u201d He turned to the man behind him. \u201cC\u2019mon, Gus, let\u2019s take care of the horses.\u201d Mason appeared a bit surprised by Harper\u2019s willingness to leave the house again but he merely shrugged and followed the tall man out of the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

From his seat on the sofa, Joe looked through the gap in the boarded-up window, watching as the two men walked over to their mounts. He saw Harper and Mason stop in front of their horses to talk; the discussion seemed to become heated quickly. Harper pointed toward the house and Mason shook his head vigorously in response. After another minute of what appeared to be persuasion from Harper, Mason finally nodded his head in reluctant agreement. Then the two men grabbed the reins of their horses and led the animals toward the back of the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he continued to watch the retreating figures, Joe murmured, \u201cI wonder what that was all about. Maybe we should keep an eye on those two.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

*********<\/span><\/p>\n

About fifteen minutes later \u2013 less than half the time Adam and Hoss had spent bedding down their horses \u2013 Harper and Mason walked back into the house. Hoss frowned at their quick return, wondering what kind of cursory treatment their animals had received, but said nothing. Adam also watched the men from his chair, his steady gaze studying the two strangers. Joe was sprawled on the sofa, holding his requested cup of coffee, and his eyes never left the men. In front of the fireplace, Ben was stirring a large pot; he looked over his shoulder when Harper and Mason came into the room, then turned back to his task.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat coffee and food sure smells good,\u201d Harper commented as he dropped his saddlebag and bedroll on the floor. Mason, silent as ever, followed suit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust some beans but you\u2019re welcome to share them,\u201d Ben offered without turning around.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, we appreciate that,\u201d Harper replied in a cheerful tone. \u201cWe ain\u2019t got much but we do have some slices of bacon we can add to the pot if you want.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat won\u2019t be necessary,\u201d Ben answered as he continued to stir. \u201cThe coffee\u2019s hot if you want a cup to warm up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you again.\u201d Harper reached down into his saddlebag and pulled out two tin cups.<\/span><\/p>\n

After filling their cups with the hot liquid, the two late arrivals to the house settled themselves on the floor and sipped their coffee. An awkward silence filled the room. Finally, Adam cleared his voice and asked, \u201cWhere are you two headed?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMormon\u2019s Creek,\u201d replied Harper. \u201cWe have, um, some business to take care of there.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow far is it to Mormon\u2019s Creek?\u201d asked Ben curiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019d say about an hour or so, maybe less if you\u2019re on a fast horse,\u201d Harper replied. \u201cThe trail at the bottom of the hill takes you right there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAha!\u201d exclaimed Hoss. \u201cSee! I told you we were headed the right way, Adam. We should have just kept going.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWouldn\u2019t have done you any good if you had,\u201d observed Harper. \u201cThe reason we ended up here is that Grover\u2019s Pass is blocked. Landslide, it looks like. There\u2019s no way to get to Mormon\u2019s Creek or anyplace else west of here without going through the Pass. The folks in Mormon\u2019s Creek usually clear the Pass pretty quickly when something like that happens but I guess they haven\u2019t gotten to it yet because of the weather. That\u2019s why we decided to turn around. The snow was getting bad, so we figured the best thing was to take shelter up here at the house on Watson\u2019s Hill.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe house on Watson\u2019s hill?\u201d Joe repeated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what people around here call this place,\u201d explained Harper. \u201cOld Judge Watson built this house a long time ago\u00a0when he first got appointed District Judge for this territory. He was from back East someplace, and he didn\u2019t want his family living in some frontier shack or something. So he built himself this fancy house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019d he build the house up here?\u201d Hoss asked with a puzzled expression.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the story is that Judge Watson didn\u2019t want his wife and daughters mixing with the riff-raff in town so he built them a place to live up here,\u201d replied Harper. \u201cThey got some snooty school teacher for the daughters and the wife used to have some real fancy parties, with the governor and important people like coming to visit, so I guess they didn\u2019t mind being up here by themselves. I heard the judge liked to sit upstairs in a rocking chair by the window and just look out over everything below him. People used to joke that you\u2019d better not do anything wrong around here because the judge was always watching.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t sound like a friendly sort,\u201d Joe observed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe was nice enough to the people he considered respectful, law-abiding citizens, I guess,\u201d said Harper with a shrug. \u201cBut he was pretty hard on anyone he thought broke the law.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like you\u2019ve spent some time around here,\u201d commented Ben. \u201cDid you know the judge?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, Harper\u2019s eyes narrowed and he glanced over his shoulder toward Mason. \u201cUh, yeah, sort of,\u201d Harper answered. \u201cCan I have some more coffee?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow long has this place been empty?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

The tall man seemed to relax when he heard the question. \u201cOh, probably four or five years,\u201d replied Harper. \u201cThe Judge\u2019s wife died and his daughters got married and moved away. But Judge Watson, he wouldn\u2019t leave, not even after he retired from the bench. He claimed he needed to stick around to make sure that there was still law and order in the territory. He said he was going stay in this house forever, and he did \u2013 until they carried him out in a pine box.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A thoughtful expression crossed Joe\u2019s face. \u201cWhat did this Judge Watson look like?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he was sort of short and had white hair,\u201d said Harper. \u201cHe always wore a black suit. I guess he thought the black suit made him look judicial or something. I heard they buried him in one of those suits.\u201d He looked at Joe. \u201cWhy do you want do know?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo reason,\u201d Joe replied quickly. \u201cJust curious.\u201d But his eyes strayed to the back of the room where he thought he had seen something earlier in the day. As his gaze swept around the room, Joe saw a startled expression on Hoss\u2019 face. The two brothers looked at each other for a moment, both seeing the uncertainty in the other\u2019s eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

**********<\/span><\/p>\n

Dinner was a quiet affair, with the men more concerned with filling their stomachs than talking. However, Harper did ask some rather pointed questions concerning the reason the Cartwrights were in Utah, questions which Ben replied to with ambiguous, non-committal answers. Mason, as usual, said little beyond asking for another helping of beans. But Joe noted the silent man\u2019s eyes roaming around the room as if he were studying its contents. Once more, Joe promised himself that he\u2019d keep an eye on the two strangers.<\/span><\/p>\n

But Joe\u2019s resolve to keep watch was short-lived. About of sneezing, a few coughs, and the return of his headache forced Joe to admit his cold was far from waning. He meant to close his eyes for only a few minutes when he stretched out on the sofa\u00a0but was in a deep sleep before he could count to twenty. He never saw his father give Adam and Hoss a rueful glance before Ben covered him with a blanket.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t sure what woke him from his sleep hours later. He thought someone had stroked his head, but if so, it was the lightest touch he had ever felt. It almost seemed as someone had brushed their hand over him, barely making contact. Opening his eyes slowly, Joe saw a dark figure bending over him. His vision fuzzy with sleep, Joe could only make out what appeared to be the blurred image of someone in a dark suit. He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head a bit. When he opened his eyes again, the figure was gone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Raising his head, Joe looked around the room. He figured it must be around dawn or maybe a little after\u00a0because there was a weak light coming through the boarded windows. The light brightened the room just enough for Joe to make out a man bending over something near the corner of the fireplace. It took a minute for him to figure out the man was Harper, and what he was doing was rummaging through the Cartwrights\u2019 saddlebags.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u201d shouted Joe, jumping to his feet. \u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d He reached automatically to his hip for his pistol, only to remember a second later that he wasn\u2019t wearing his holster.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the other three Cartwrights sat up abruptly from their blankets spread on the floor around the room, Harper spun around to face Joe. The tall man had a gun in his hand and he pointed the weapon at Joe\u2019s chest.<\/span><\/p>\n

While Ben, Adam, and Hoss scrambled to their feet, Joe started to move to his left. But before he could take more than a step, someone grabbed Joe from behind. A thick arm crossed his chest and held Joe tightly while the cold metal of a gun barrel was pressed against his head. Joe realized that he had forgotten about Harper\u2019s silent partner, Mason.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow everyone just stop and stand easy,\u201d ordered Harper in an even voice. \u201cNobody move and no one will get hurt.\u201d He looked around the room and was satisfied to see the three older Cartwrights frozen in their tracks. Turning his gaze toward the sofa, Harper gave a brief nod as he noted Mason had Joe firmly in his grasp.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want the money from the sale of your cattle,\u201d Harper announced. \u201cI wasn\u2019t able to get through all your saddlebags before the kid there stirred things up. So let\u2019s make this real simple. You give me the money and Mason won\u2019t blow the kid\u2019s head off.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no money,\u201d Ben said, shaking his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t play games, Cartwright,\u201d snapped Harper angrily. \u201cI know you sold a herd in Ogden. Why else would you be there? Now give me the money.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere isn\u2019t any money,\u201d Ben insisted again. \u201cI\u2019d give it to you if I had it but I don\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright, you disappoint me,\u201d declared Harper. \u201cI didn\u2019t figure you for the kind of man who\u2019d risk his son\u2019s life just to hold on to some cash.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere isn\u2019t enough money in the world to make me risk my son\u2019s life,\u201d Ben stated earnestly. \u201cI swear to you, we don\u2019t have anything except a few dollars. We\u2019ll give you what we have, anything you want. But I can\u2019t give you what I don\u2019t have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s telling the truth, Harper,\u201d Adam said in an even voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy Pa don\u2019t lie,\u201d chimed in Hoss. \u201cWe don\u2019t have the money from selling the herd.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen what happened to it?\u201d asked Harper curiously. \u201cYou didn\u2019t come all the way to Utah just for the ride.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe sold a herd, yes,\u201d Ben explained quickly. \u201cBut the money is still in a bank in Ogden. It\u2019s going to be used to pay for equipment for a new sawmill. That\u2019s why we took the cattle there so late in the year \u2013 to get the money to pay for the new sawmill.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cocking his head a bit, Harper studied Ben\u2019s face. \u201cI think he\u2019s telling the truth, Mason,\u201d commented the tall man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI told you this was a bad idea,\u201d Mason growled back to his\u00a0partner. \u201cWe should have stuck with our plan to hold up the bank in Mormon\u2019s Creek.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, you idiot!\u201d yelled Harper, glaring at the man holding Joe. His eyes darted around the room for a moment. Then a calm expression came over his face. \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t have said that, Mason. Now we\u2019re going to have to kill these nice people. We can\u2019t have them telling the sheriff in Mormon\u2019s Creek about us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t want four murders on your head,\u201d Adam argued in what he hoped was a reasonable tone. \u201cJust tie us up and be on your way. By the time we get loose, you\u2019ll be long gone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s an idea,\u201d Harper conceded. He thought a moment and then shook his head. \u201cBut not a good one. We don\u2019t know how long we might have to stay here waiting for the pass to open up and I don\u2019t fancy having the four of you spending that time thinking of ways to get at us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, across the room, Joe sneezed, which caused his head and shoulders to jerk forward a bit. Joe sneezed hard again, and the abrupt movement yanked Mason\u2019s arm forward, causing the outlaw to lose his grip on his captive. As soon as he felt Mason let got of him, Joe jabbed his elbow backward\u00a0into the man\u2019s stomach. A loud \u201coomph\u201d escaped from Mason\u2019s lips and he bent forward. Twisting away from the outlaw, Joe dove toward the floor near the sofa.<\/span><\/p>\n

Harper fired his gun in the direction of the youngest Cartwright, missing his target by inches.<\/span><\/p>\n

With an angry expression on his face, Mason straightened and turned his revolver toward the young man on the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Snatching his poncho from its spot near the sofa, Joe threw it at Mason, causing the outlaw to instinctively raise his arm to deflect the oilcloth coming toward his head. Then Joe pulled his pistol from the holster and flipped onto his back, firing at his one-time captor as he turned. Joe\u2019s aim was true \u2013 his bullet hit Mason in the middle of the chest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Across the room, Ben and his two older sons made a move toward Harper, coming from three different directions. But the tall man turned his gun and started firing wildly around the room. As the three Cartwrights dropped to the carpet to escape the bullets, Harper ran to the doorway and out of the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Racing to the front door, Harper tried to turn the knob, but the handle refused to budge. He yanked on the doorknob and tried again to twist it, without success. Realizing he was trapped, Harper spun around and ran up the stairs to the second floor of the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the large room, four bodies rose from the floor, looking around warily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get Harper!\u201d shouted Adam, grabbing his pistol. He moved cautiously to the doorway and peered into the hallway just in time to see Harper sprinting up the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gun in hand, Adam followed the tall man up the steps at a much slower pace. He kept his eyes glued to the top of the staircase, making sure his quarry didn\u2019t make a sudden appearance. When he reached the last step, Adam stopped and looked around.<\/span><\/p>\n

To Adam\u2019s left was a long corridor flanked on both sides by three doors. A dull ray of sun streamed through a window at the end of the hallway, bathing the corridor in a dreary light. All of the doors were open to some degree, a few fully and two only partially. Adam knew Harper was hiding in one of the rooms, and that he had to be careful not to be surprised.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moving slowly, Adam went to the first room on his right, one with a door fully open. He sidled into the room and, looking around, decided he had entered a study of some kind. Empty bookshelves lined the wall and an old rocking chair sat near the window. But more importantly, there was no sign of Harper in the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cautiously, Adam left the room and walked to the one next to it. Keeping his eyes on the doors across the hall, he kicked the door that was only partially open, causing it to swing inward. Peering into the room, Adam determined this one also was empty.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam was turning back to the hallway when he heard the click of a gun being cocked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStay right there, Cartwright,\u201d Harper ordered as he emerged from the last room on the other side of the corridor. \u201cDrop your gun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As he complied, Adam said to Harper, \u201cYou know you\u2019ll never get out of this house. My father and brothers will stop you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I think I will,\u201d replied Harper confidently. \u201cSee, you\u2019re going to walk in front of me as we go down the stairs and out the door. I\u2019ll make sure your father and brothers know I\u2019ll shoot you if they make any kind of move to stop me. Of course, I won\u2019t need you for very long, but they won\u2019t know that. Now put your hands in the air and turn around.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Adam could make a move, he saw a strange expression come across Harper\u2019s face; the outlaw\u2019s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the\u2026\u201d started Harper. Then he gasped, \u201cNo!\u201d and took a step back, aiming the barrel of his gun to Adam\u2019s right.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, down!\u201d shouted a voice behind the oldest Cartwright brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without hesitation, Adam dropped to the floor. He heard a gun fire from behind him and saw Harper clutch his chest before falling forward. Scrambling to his feet, Adam rushed to the man in front of him. He pushed Harper onto his back and felt the man\u2019s neck. \u201cHe\u2019s dead,\u201d Adam announced without looking up.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he turned around, Adam caught some kind of movement out of the corner of his eye \u2013 a dark shadow that seemed to float into the first room Adam had entered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right, Adam?\u201d asked Joe as he walked up the hall toward his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Adam assured Joe. \u201cHow about you? Pa and Hoss all right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa got nicked by one of those bullets Harper was sending around the room,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cIt\u2019s not bad, just scratched his arm some. Hoss is looking after him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks for backing me up,\u201d Adam said. \u201cI was hoping one of you would come after me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we couldn\u2019t afford to lose you,\u201d countered Joe with a grin. \u201cYou\u2019re the only one who knows how to build that new sawmill.\u201d Then Joe\u2019s face sobered. \u201cSorry it took so long. It took us a few minutes to sort things out downstairs, especially once we saw Pa was bleeding.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou got here when I needed you, that\u2019s all the counts,\u201d Adam told his brother with a smile. \u201cLet\u2019s put him downstairs with the other one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As the two Cartwright brothers carried Harper\u2019s body down the hall to the stairs, Adam glanced into the room he had decided was a study. The room was as empty as before but he did note the old rocking chair seeming to be moving back and forth.<\/span><\/p>\n

**********<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou fellows ran into a couple of nasty ones,\u201d declared the sheriff from Mormon\u2019s Creek as he gathered up the reins of the horses carrying two bodies wrapped in blankets. \u201cBoth he and Mason are on at least three wanted posters in my office.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just sorry my son had to kill them,\u201d Ben replied from the front porch of the old house where he stood next to Adam, Hoss and Joe. \u201cHe didn\u2019t have much choice, though. They seemed determined not to let us leave here \u2013 at least, not alive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour boy just saved us the bother of hanging them,\u201d said the sheriff with a shrug. \u201cThey were both wanted dead or alive. I jailed Harper a couple of times for some petty stuff during the years he lived in Mormon\u2019s Creek. It wasn\u2019t until he hooked up with Mason that he decided to move up to the big time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe big time?\u201d asked Adam with an arched eyebrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey robbed the bank in Mormon\u2019s Creek about two years ago and killed the bank clerk while they were doing it,\u201d explained the sheriff. \u201cIt sounds like they were planning to come back for a second bite of the apple. You fellows probably saved someone from getting hurt \u2013 or maybe killed – in town.\u201d The sheriff mounted his own horse and then turned back to face the porch. \u201cLike I told your big son there when he caught up with me at the Pass, the landslide is pretty much cleared away. The warm weather melted the snow on the trail so you should have no problem find your way into town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be along shortly,\u201d Ben told the sheriff. \u201cWe want to clean up things here before we leave.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, I still can\u2019t figure out how you got into that house,\u201d remarked the sheriff with a shake of his head. \u201cI thought I had it closed up tighter than a drum. I got tired of chasing kids out of what they called the haunted house, so I locked the door and put boards over the windows.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe lock must have something wrong with it,\u201d observed Adam. \u201cSometimes it worked and sometimes it didn\u2019t. Pa tried to open the door when we first got here and it wouldn\u2019t budge. Then suddenly it unlocked itself. When Harper was trying to get out, he couldn\u2019t get the door to open. But we didn\u2019t have any problem opening it this morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt must be broken,\u201d the sheriff agreed. \u201cGuess I\u2019ll have to replace it.\u201d He looked at Joe. \u201cThere\u2019s probably some reward money due on these two. Stop by my office when you pass through town and I\u2019ll let you know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

An uncomfortable expression crossed Joe\u2019s face, and he turned to look away. \u201cI don\u2019t want the money,\u201d he said in a low voice. \u201cIf there\u2019s any reward, just give it to someone in town who needs it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder, giving his son a look that was a combination of both understanding and pride in his decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSuit yourself,\u201d the sheriff responded as he turned his horse. \u201cYou\u2019re still welcome to stop by my office for a bad cup of coffee when you get to town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As the lawman rode off leading the two horses carrying the bodies, Ben turned to his sons. \u201cHoss, you go get the horses saddled and ready to go. Adam, Joe, come help me inside.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be there in a minute,\u201d Adam promised his father. He watched Ben enter the house before turning to his younger brothers. \u201cJoe, when you came up the stairs, did you see anything\u2026unusual?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUsual?\u201d asked Joe with a puzzled expression. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d Adam admitted. \u201cIt\u2019s just that when Harper had the drop on me, he got a strange look on his face, like he was suddenly terrified. I\u2019m just curious about why that happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019ve been known to scare a few people in my time,\u201d joked Joe. Then his face grew serious. \u201cNow that you mentioned it, though, I did see something kind of odd. I thought it was some weird shadow or something but I was busy watching you and Harper so I didn\u2019t really pay much attention.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did it look like?\u201d Adam pressed his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe thought for a moment before answering. \u201cIf I had to describe it, I\u2019d say it was like someone was standing next\u00a0to you, kind of pointing his finger at Harper.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, you saw something at the window when we first got here,\u201d Adam said as he turned to the big man. \u201cWhat was it again?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I saw an old man standing at the window, like I told you before,\u201d Hoss answered with a frown. \u201cBut he was just there for a second. I ain\u2019t sure exactly what I saw.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, I thought I saw an old man a couple of times in that house,\u201d Joe added. \u201cBut I was half-asleep both times so maybe I was dreaming.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou reckon Judge Watson is still in that house?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hardly think so,\u201d answered Adam. \u201cHarper told us a story about an old man who lived and died in the house. Then some odd things happened and suddenly everyone was seeing a ghost. It\u2019s the power of suggestion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but I saw someone in that window before Harper told us about the judge,\u201d countered Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t believe in ghosts,\u201d Adam stated firmly. \u201cA trick of light, an odd pattern in the falling snow, imagination \u2013 anything can cause someone to think they saw something that wasn\u2019t really there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOr maybe old Judge Watson really is still in that house,\u201d Joe remarked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no such thing as ghosts,\u201d Adam declared again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019d you ask about what we saw if you didn\u2019t think it was a ghost?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I\u2019m trying to find an explanation for the strange look on Harper\u2019s face when he was holding a gun on me,\u201d Adam told his brothers. \u201cIt was like he was suddenly very afraid and I\u2019m wondering why.\u201d Then he sighed. \u201cI guess I\u2019ll never know the reason.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s lots of things in this world that can\u2019t be explained, Adam,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cSometimes you just got to accept that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

**********<\/span><\/p>\n

In the large room inside the house, Ben knelt on the floor in front of the fireplace. Putting his hand on the ashes in the hearth, he was satisfied there were no small embers still burning. He used a small piece of wood to brush the ashes into the corner of the\u00a0fireplace, making it as neat as possible. As he worked, Ben had the feeling that someone was watching him. Turning his head, he thought he saw something in the shadows on the far side of the room \u2013 an image that faded away almost immediately. Ben stared at shadows and then looked around, but the room was empty. With a shrug, he turned back to finish cleaning up the fireplace. As he scraped the hearth, though, Ben wondered what had caught his eye. The image had been fuzzy and barely visible, and he wasn\u2019t sure he actually saw it.<\/span><\/p>\n

To Ben, the image had looked like an old man with white hair and dressed in a black suit. The man had been standing at the back of the room, nodding his head in approval.<\/span><\/p>\n

*****End*****<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 Strange things abound when the family takes shelter in an abandoned Victorian era house, but is it really abandoned?<\/p>\n

Word Count: \u00a08100 \u00a0Rated: \u00a0T<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10338,"featured_media":39016,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,1008,29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13994","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-halloween","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-29-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":961,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/San-Francisco-1860s.jpg?fit=600%2C389&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13963,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13963","url_meta":{"origin":13994,"position":0},"title":"The Hideaway (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"December 12, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Joe is accused of murder. 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