The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-11-08

Au0 S6COuu ulBnJ Jne same Jnlng Oc-
curred-only this time the specter had
sighed and moaned and wrung its
hands as in diTest distress, but it did
not wait for Toms advance. 1t van
ished after a few moments.
"It's curious, TO say the least of it,"
he meditated, striking a light and sit
ting on the side Of his bed. Then taking
the candle he carefully examined the
apartment.
1t was spacious oak-paneled room,
with casemented windows. Mr.. Har-
rison proposed to turn it into ball
room, when, he had laughed, the ghosts
would have happy time Of it. But
Tom could discover neither ghost nor
human. The door was locked as he
had left it; the windows securely fast
ened.
"Its confoundedly singularp he re-
peated, finally throwing himself on to
the bed
The next morning!he told exactly
what had occurred
Mr.. Harrison pooh-pooh'd it, de-
claring it was Toms imagination or
that he was poking fun at them; but
the girls took it differently.
"There," cried the sisters, "you see,
George, the place is hauntedp'
For a second George appeared de-
feated; she pouted, glanced at her cup,
then exclaimed, with charming con-
sistency:
al don't and 1 won't believe there
are ghosts AS uncle says, Tom has
been deludedp'
Well, Tom is going to give it an
other trial." laughed the young fellow.
"Oh, no, don't do thatp' exclaimed
George, quickly. "We've had enough
of itP'
az don't think So" reioined Tom,
delighted at this involuntary interest.
"And if it comes a third time I'll
take il. for sign"
"Of what?"
"That have proved my courage"
he whispered, "and merited the re-
ward for facing ghost"
"There are no ghosts" persisted
George, blushing.
"Then you do not believe mew
"I fancy you were deceived."'
That night the sisters implored Tom
to sleep in his own bedroom to which
George, the bold disbeliever, even added
her entreaties. They fancied that he
had been more frightened than he
cared to confess, for he had been re-
markably quiet and thoughtful all
day, had kept aloof from them, and
wandered about the house like a ghost
himself.
But Tom was firm. He said he was
resolved to believe his eyes and brain
had deceived him, unless the poor lady
ghost appeared third time.
But suppose she may not come
again ?" suggested George.
"Then I'm resolved to sleep in this
room until she does, or put it all
down as nervous bosh and optical
delusion p
With that Master Tom strobe off to
his haunted bedchamber, while the
girls crept along to theirs.
Scarcely had midnight chimed-for
somewhere, no doubt, it did chime,
though not in Mr.. Harrison's house
than in the dark corner of the oak
paneled apartment again appeared the
shadowy figure. That it was a woman's
there could be no doubt the loose
grayish draperies flowed round it,
dropping from the waving arms, while
gray mist apparently enveloped the
head.
1t repeated the same evolutions as on
the previous occasion, only its means
and tokens of grief were more earn
estly expressed; but, after all, this
night was destined to be materially
different. AS the ghosts time for de-
parture arrived, lol and behold, there
was another ghOstl
The last was taller, clothed entirely
in white, and, standing behind the
first, frantically waved its long arms
with hollow sepulchral moan.
Evidently, however, the smaller
spirit hadn't expected this ghostly
companion, for, perceiving it, with a
ringing shrek it fled toward the bed,
crying:
"Ohl Tom-Tom, save mel There
is ghost and it's here! Save me
save mel"
But no Tom sprang to her rescue.
Only the taller ghost pursued, ex-
claiming, in very earthly voice and
amid much earthly laughter;
so, Miss George, I've caught you,
have II The tables are nicely turned,
upon my life"
"TomP gasped George, the smaller
specter, plucking the gray gauze from
about hef head, sis it you? Oil what
does it mean?"
"Only that I've discovered the
ghost" laughed Tom. "The second
night suspected the unsubstantiality
of my visitor and employed the next
day in minutely examining my room,
WHICH led to the discovery of secret