The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-11
by
THE GHOSTS TOUCH.
A STORY BY WILKIE COLLINS.
Mss FINCH" AND OTHER POPULAR
PART III.-CHAPTER x.

ssWelcome to St Annsw cried Mr.. John Zant.
sT knew that you were expected, my dear sir.
and / took my chance of finding you at the
hotel" He turned to his sister-in-law and kissed
her hand with an elaborate gallantry worthy of
Sir Charles Grandson himself. when Preached
home, my dear, and heard that you had gone
out, guessed that your object was to receive
our excellent friend. You have not felt lonely
while have been away2 That's right That's
right" He looked towards the balcony, and dis
covered Lucy at the open window, staring at
the magnificent stranger. 'Your little daughter,
Mr. Rayburn7 Dear child! Come. and kiss me-
Lucy answered in one positive word-'No."
Mr.. John Zant advanced to the window,
smiling superbly. "Show me your doll. darling, !"
he said "St on my knee"
Lucy answered in two positive words-"I
won't"
Her father approached the window to admin
lister the necessary reproof. Mr.. John Zant in
terfered in the cause of mercy with his best
grace. He held up his hands In meek entreaty
Dear Mr.. Rayburn! The fairies are sometimes
shy and this little fairy doesn't take to strangers
Mt first sight. Dear child All in good time
And what stay do you make at ST. Ann's9 May
we hope that our poor attractions will tempt you
to proong your visisp
He put his fattering little question with an
ease of manner which was rather too plainly
assumed; and he looked at Mr. Rayburn with
watchfulness which appeared to attach undue
Importance to the reply. When he said: What
stay do you make at St Ann's9' did he really
mean: How soon do you leave usp Mr.. Ray
burn answered cautiously, that his stay at the
seaside would depend on circumstances. Mr..
John Zant looked at his sister-in-law, sitting
silent in a corner with Lucy on her lap. Exert
your attractions" he said; make the circum-
stances agreeable to our good friend. Will you
dine with us to-day, my dear sir, and bring your
little fairy with your
Lucy was far from receiving this compliment
tary allusion in the spirit in which it had been
offered. 'Tm not fairy she declared "Pm
child"
''And naughty child" her father added, with
all the severity that he could assume.
81 can't help it, papa; the man with the big
beard puts me out"
The man with the big beard was amused-amia-
bly,, paternaly, amused-by Lucys plain speak
ing. He repeated lis invitation to dinner, and he
did his best to look disappointed when Mr.. Ray
burn made the necessary excuses
Another day." he said without, however, fix
ing the day. II think you will find my house
comfortable. My experiments, when 1 amuse
myself in that way, seldom offend the nostrils Of
visitors; and my housekeeper may perhaps be
eccentric-but in ali essentials woman in a
thousand. Do you feel the change from London
already2 Our air at ST. AIMS is really worthy
of its reputation. Invalids who come here are
cured as if by magic. What do you think Of
Mrs. Zant2 How does she look9"
Mr.. Rayourn was evidently expected to say
that she looked better. He said it. Mr.. John
Zant seemed to have anticipated stronger ex-
preston of opinion.
Surprisingly better!' he pronounced. SIN
Anitely better! We ought both to be grateful.
Pray believe that we are grateful"
''If you mean grateful to me, Mr. Rayburn
remarked, II don't quite understand
'You don't quite understands Is it possible
you have forgotten our conversation when first
had the honor of receiving you9 Look at Mrs
Zant again."
Mr. Rayburn looked, and Mr.. Zant's brother
in-law explained himself.
'You notice the return of her color, the
healthy brightness of her eyes. mo, my dear,
lam not paying you idle compliments; am
stating plain facts.) For that happy result, Mr..
auburn, we are indebted to YOU"
''Surely notl"
Surely, yes! 1t was at your valuable sug-
gestion that thought of inviting my sister-in-
law to visit me at ST. AIMS. All, you remember
it now. Forgive me if look at my watch; the
dinner hour is my mind. Not. as your dear
little daughter there seems to think, because am
greedy, but because I am always punctual, in
justice to the cook. Shall we see you to-mor-
row. Call early, and you will find us at home. "
He gave Mrs. Zant his arm, and bowed and
smiled, and kissed his hand to Lucy, and left the
room. Thinking over the interview at the hotel
in London, Mr. Rayburn now understood John
Zant's object ION that occasion) in assuming the
character of a helpless man in need of sensible
suggestion. If Mrs Zant's residence under his
roof became associated with evil consequences he
would declare that she would never have entered
the house, but for Mr.. Rayburn's advice.
With the next day came the hateful necessity
of returning this mans visit. Mr.. Rayburn was
placAd between two alternatives. In Mrs.
Zant's interests he must remain, no matter at
what sacrifice of his own inclinations, on good
terms with her brother-in-law-or he must re-
turn to London and leave the poor woman to
her fate His choice it is needless to say, was
never matter of doubt. He called at the house,
and did his innocent best-without in the least
deceiving Mr.. John Zant-to make himself
agreeable during the short duration IF HE visit
Descending the stairs on his way out, accom-
panied by Mrs. Zant, he was surprised to see a
middle-ag woman in the hall, who looked as if
she was waiting there expressly to attract no
tice.
1.-THE housekeeper." Mrs. Zant whispered.
"She is impudent enough to try to make ac-
quaintance With you"
This was exactly what the bousekeeper was