The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-09-16

had allowed tho ghost to go before il
had given the promise to meet me again.
remembered my stupidity with regret,
but somehow L felt the ghost wouid
consider the promises as having boeu
given, and be at the trysting place. AT
the house they had given me up for
lost, and we're discussing all manner of
plans for my rescue, and Ned was on the
point of coming for me alone, as Mr..
Steele could not be persuaded to enter
that house again until daylight. How
ever, the thing was settled, and Mr.
Humphreys accepted our report unques-
next morning Mabel was informed of the
result At last the evening came, and
we were on the piazza. Mabel had re-
tired with headache, and tue rest OF II,
smoked our cigars and followed our own
thoughts in silence. As it neared 10
arose leisurely aud strolled off to the old
apple tree. had been there but a few
minutes when saw white figure APP
preaching as if from the adjoining pllce,
and it came straight to me and stopped
ut my side. lrer
lifted my hat. -"Good evening" I
said. i.f
The phantom responded with neat
little ghostly courtesy. Mortal, never
tell lie, )" it said
"Will you shake hands? Truly "a
ghosts word can he believed.
The phantom gave me its hand, but
after / had held tia decent length OF time,
tried to regain possession of it.
"Does the old gentleman believe ?"
asked the ghost.
Yes, it's all right-he won't buy the
house now. You can remain alone in it
in undisturbed possession.
81 don't want to stay alone in it.
"Well, my sweet phantom, l don't
see how you're going to fix it. Haven't
you any relatives to come and help you
TO be gay?"
"No, none.
"Thats bad. l know the dust-pan
and fire-iron business is Jolly, and then
it does sound awfully cheerful to have
pals rolling downstairs; but it's like
playing billiards. gets monotonous IL
you haven't any one to play with"
The ghost sighed.
"What's that for?" / inquired.
Don't you like being a ghost?"
"No, not bit"
"Dear mel Would you like to be an
ordinary common mortal person?"
"Yes."
"Myl And get marred p
eyes, L guess SOL don't know"
"Well, I'm very fond of you, dear lit
tie ghost"
ii don't believe you. You're fond Of
somebody else"
"Well, well you told me that before,
and don't deny it; but, my sweet little
phantom, she don't care two cents for
me now.
I" How do you know"
"Oh, know it very we'll"
you're wrong. Why don't you go
and ask her?"
I'm not going to insult her."
do you call that al insult?"
Yes-from one in my position.
Sweet ghost" | said, coming nearer,
"let's make believe you're my angel, +"
putting my arms around her, and draw
ing her to me-
"Then you don't love her ?"
son the contrary, it's because L love
her 30 much that want to make believe
You're M IS Mabel"
The ghost submitted with good
grace, but forgot her assumed ghostli-
ness. "James she said, and the voice
carried me back two years, and my dar-
ling was revealed to me.
"Mabel, Mabel" / said, "what is
this? Does it mean you love me?"
eyes"
But why did you play such prank
on us al ?"
CT knew you still loved me, but would
never say 80, and, besides, l wanted a
little fun.
"Bless You, it was fun, but yop might
have been hurt"
"Oh, no." she laughed; 81 wasn't
afraid The others were so brave, and
you were such coward-all brain and no
courage. you know"
A month later L was clerk on good
salary, and six months later Mabel and
were married. But the secret of our
wooing in the stone house and under the
apple tree was never told. and from that
time forth had no fear OF ghosts-my
own particular precious little ghost was
my shield and my protector.-Harper's
Bazaar.