Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1880-01-10

handsome room, as you must already
have remarked. Ii has fine south
view, and the fireplace draws capt.
tally"
"And there are no noises at night? .
asked Miss MacWinkle. al must tell
you that | am light sleeper and easily
disturbed
There are no noises at ALL said
the Captain.
Sand no draughts? Sometimes
rooms are said to be haunted because
the wind whistles through chinks and
craDnies."
"The room is as alright as corked
bottle. You have nothing to fear on
that score
"And there are no rats or mice, are
there? l must confess TO loathing rats,
and mice still more, if possible. -
ave have three cats and two terriers
in the house, so rats and mice have
no chance here,' rejoined the Cap
tain.
Poor Miss MacWinkle gulped down
half her glass of sherry, and made no
further objections. She was of shy dis
position, and feared to look ridiculous
before the other guests, of whom there
were dozen, including two girls with
mocking eyes, but inwardly she felt I'M
comfortable, and several of the ladies
present sympathized with her.
81 think it would have been kinder
to keep the existence of the ghost out of
sight, Captain Jafile,'' said one of these
ladies. 81 am afraid that should not
exhibit as much courage rs Miss Mac
Winkle.' -
"But there is no ghost, | assure
you," answered the Captain. ats
only a foolish rumor got up by idle peo-
ple."
"But it rests on something, l sup
pose?"
son nothing more substantial than
senseless talk; but if Miss MacWinkle
feels in the least nervous, / daresay we
can contrive to put her in another
room, though it may not be such good
one''
Miss MacWinkle declined the offer,
and felt little soothed by the encomi-
ums that were bestowed on her pluck
and good sense. A handsome young
WIN Dttn
his attention between the two girls of Is,
turned TO Miss MacWinkle and said that
the qualities he admired most of all in
were plain reason and courage.
Miss MacWinkle blushed. For a few
more such compliments she would have
to pass her night in room
where COLLINS danced in "A ring, pro-
vided, at least, that these imps did not
touch her. She became the heroine of
the evening, and when the hour arrived
for her retiring to bed she took col
lected and graceful farewell of the COM
pany.
eff see ghost l will drive him out
Of the room, and rely on You to dis /
patch him for me-" she said, softly to
the dragon as she departed.
"Oh, yes; believe my room is in
the same passage As yours, and III keep
a lookout" laughed the officer.
"Don't use firearms, though
"No; I'll route him out with a poker /
or an umbrella"
Every body was amused; and pres
emily the whole company had dispersed.
Soon after midnight the house was
hushed, and even the dragoon, who /
ought to have been keeping watch for
the ghost, slumbered in peace the sleep
Of the just. Throughout the night not /
A sound was heard, and the pair of ter
riers who had been left free to ramble I
about the house as sentinels, curled
themselves up in the passage near Miss
door, and were never
heard to bark or growl once.
Breakfast used to be served at 9 80 in
Capt. Jaflle's house, and all the guests
staying under his roof generally came
% it. Miss MacWinkle had said over
hight that she would do so: therefore,
when the company assembled, and the
,offee, tea, hot rolls, bacon, eggs. but
cred toast, rounds of beef, game, pies,
,tc., were all spread out in a tempting
lrray, eyes were turned towards the