The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-09-03


about two seconds on my nose, The touch
gave me courage; 1t was warm, soft and pleas
ant ~ a Noman's, | stretched out my arms
and grasped The phantom. 1t shreked and
started, bit | WAS strong, and the ghost was
I solid, 80 it Gidn't get away. | didn't feel
afrald Of IT then; on the contrary, II seemed
AFRAID OF me.
Dear ghost, sweet ghost" said, II won't
hurt you"
! The answer came tremblingly and low
"What are you saying? Who sent you"
"Why, my darling ghost" sad, the lady
that's going to he Mrs. Butter Scotch"
Glow dc you know she 49,
"Oh, | know well enough. You mast be Il
smart ghost not to know that"
"She doesn't love him.
ooh, yes she does. My sweet little phan.
TOM you're entirely mistaken. Come, I'll see
if can't light the lantern, ii that insane
BOBBY hasn't smashed 1t all to pieces in get.
ting OUT
LET me 60 please" the ghost begged in a
very polite manner and as it spoke the words
sounded to me very much like human voice
disguised, and yet couldn't see for the life of
me how anything human could have got into
the house after we came IN, or how anything
human could have made such an everlasting
row, and ratified its homes so unpleasantly.
But the ghosts hands had flesh on them My
curiosity was aroused SO | said, mo, can't
lot you GO"
ITS wrong-hugging INC, when you love
another"
Whom do lovct'
Mrs. ButlerScotch, of course. know all
about it,
you do Ell. Then suppose you know
how it all happened!'
! Yes of course do"
"Do you know why stopped''
because you hadn't money enough 10 ask
her to marry you"
you're perfectly right. my dear little ghost;
hut neither you nor | know whether she'd
have married me even if | had happened to
have plenty of money, | wish you'd tell me
that"
81 wont do anything of the kind. I'm per.
fcctly surprised at myself for talking to amor
tai 50 long. Goodbye, man. Go back to the
Humphryses and tell them what you have
seen, Ii the old man buys this house won't
make 1t hot for him. Goodbye, mortal"
But wouldn't let go of the ghosts arm.
please let me go now" the phantom be-
seeched
A bright idea came to me. said: Can
trust you, Is a ghosts word good for any
,hing."
Wuh great dignity it answered: yes;
never lie"
| "All right If you'll promise to meet me
Tomorrow evening under the old apple tree
on Mr., Humphreys place at ten O'Clock, III
let you 90" And as | released my hold, the
ghost seemed to vanish away, and | opened
the door and went OUT. My senses were dazed
in the open; the evening had been so strange,
so almost suspicious. that | could not falhom
it all at once. Besides, had allowed the
ghost to go before it had gwen the promise to
ma I am tar IN ~
with regret, but somehow l felt the ghost
would consider the promise as having been
gwen, and be at the trysting place.
AT the house they had given me up tor lost,
aud were discussing all manner of plans for
my rescue and Ned was on the point of com.
ing for me alone, as Mr. Steele could not he
persuaded TO enter that house again until day
light. However, the thing was settled and
MIR. Humphreys accepted our report unques-
tionabe, but with great regret, and the next
morning Mabel was informed Of the result.
At last the evening came, and we were on
the piazza. Mable had retired with head
ache and the rest of us smoked our cigars
and followed our own thoughts in silence. As
1t neared ten, arose leisurely and strOlled off
to the old apple tree. had been there but a
few minutes when | saw white figure ap-
preaching as If from the adjoining place, and
il came Straight to me and stopped at my side
! lifted my hat Good evening"" said.
! The phantom responded with a neat little
ghostly courtesy. Mortal, never tell lie,"
it said.
"Will you shake hands' Truly a ghosts
word can be believed"
| The phantom gave me Its hand, but after |
had held it decent length of time, tried to re-
gain possession of It.
Does the old gentleman believer" asked
the ghost
Yes; it's all right-he won't buy the house
now. You can remain alone In 1t II undis-
turbed possession"
II don't want to stay alone in it,"
"Well my sweet phantom, don't see how
you're going to fix it, Haven't you got any
relations to come and help you be gay?"
mo, none"
That's bad. know the dus,.pan and fire.
iron business is jolly, and then 1t does sound
awtuly cheerful to have pals rolling down
stairs; but it's like playing billards-gets
with"
The ghost sighed
Whats that for." inquired. Don't you
like being ghost?'
NO. not bit"
Dear me! Would you like to be an ordin.
airy common mortal person?''
"Yes."
"My! And get married?"
YES guess SOL don't know"
"Well, I'm very fond of you, dear little
ghost"
II don't believe you. you're fond of some
body else"
well, we'll: you told me that before and l
don't deny 1t; but my sweet little phantom,
she don't care two cents for me now
How do you know"
| 30, | know it very well"
"You're wrong. Why don'tyou go and ask
her?
I'm not going to insult her"
"Do you call that an nsultg"
"Ies-trom one in my position. Sweet
ghost" | said coming nearer, "lets make be-