, 1888-11-29

this, contented myself with suggesting
an optical illusion, and explaining the
nature of some ordinary nearly similar
cases of which had heard. But here my
hostess interrupted:
That moueht be, mister, ef 'twan't
nobody but husband an ole Hick'ry a.
seen this thing the very night, an cen
mos that very mint when they 'uns seen
1t, you see, was stan In In the doc look.
in down the road. en- listenin' ef could
.s Hss Ss1 aSp tbs Biz pa. sa
hill. Jes them couldn't been standin'
thar . couple o. minits skeershly-I see
so'thin' like man with hat on come
nyin long the road faster'n ole Hick'ry
ever cut up. When he got past the bars
he'd view o. him all over-an' sure's
l'm livin' woman thar warn't y sign o.
his touchin the yesrth, bat jes walkin' an
a.olawin' along In the air this a.ways, an
q strange sort Of light sparklin' round
him. He never turned his head, but jes
whipped on like q streak o'lishtnin.' An
ing fork In her hand and speaking with
solemn earnestness. Tibet were Tuesday
day afore yistiddy, mind. Well. las
night es we'uns wuz all a.settin' here. an
the doc an winder wide open, an pine
knot burnin' bright in the chimbly back
that same shadder of man come skimmin'
right by thet winder. We'uns all seen
it, fer the pine light was a-blazin' on his
face, an he was a-lookin' in as he skuul
past. Aud befo' we could so much as
holler out. he had shot round the house
an past the doc thar which was standin'
open, an not stop did he make, but
jes' slicked right by like a sperit An it's
my belief" with sort of suppressed sob
in her throat, Its my belief tibet thing
whatsoever it be, hez come to warn us O.
somethin' unlucky bout to happen" And
here she cast an anxious glance at her
husband and then around on the group Of
white headed little ones who lowered about
her.
Though more than ever puzzled by this
account did what could to cheer no the
family, who we're all evidently In q state
of great nervous excitement. Having
meal, stepped outside for fresh air, and
after walking slowly around the house.
stepped up to the bars and stood looking
down the road. The moon had risen and
already shed clear light on the white
sandy track and the open space around the
cabin. Nothing moved, until as stared
down the dim vista became aware Of an
unnaturally tall and phantom like appari-
tion visible in the patches Of moonlight
that hicked the road. now appearing, now
vanishing. and all the time rapidly ap-
preaching to where | stood.
At the first glance OF this apparition !
unconsciously held my breath in kind of
expectant suspense. The next moment
CLEAN of recognition flashed upon me-
the whole mystery of the haunting "spook"
was explained--and in the excitement and
amusement of the discovery gave hilar-
ious shout. The figure as it neared me
slackened its speed, and with an easy
sweep slowly and gracefully glided to my
side.
"Helo!' he cried cheerily, whats upp"
So soon as could recover from an ire
sistible fit of laughter explained to him
the state of affairs with the family In the
cabin. He expressed much concern for
caused. He and friend were making q
bicycling tour through the state, and hav-
ing been for some days delayed at Gala
ghan's by the indisposition OF his COM
panion he had each evening amused him
self by taking run" in the cool of the
twilight along this level pine forest road.
He had not noticed the man and the horse
at the ferry, and regretted that he had on
the succeeding evening been tempted by
the open bars and the level clearing to
make circuit around the house, deemine
utuioeie uuhoeAScu,ino ohO "'ns n"'S"
him. And he was now willing and anx-
ious to make an explanation and apology
to the disquieted family.
| went before in order to prepare the
way, and with some difficulty persuaded
them to have an interview with the
''speok." He came gently wheeling up to
the door, and think never saw smore
relieved or wondering group of faces than
those which looked on while the. stranger
explained the nature and qualities Of his
marvellous vehicle. Mr.. Carney list.
ened with great interest, his wife
laughed hysterically and the children were
as delighted as though they had been at a
especially when the "spook" dis.
| tributed among them handful OF nickels
before taking his departure.
Next morning, when called to an early
breakfast, found Mr.. Carney up and look.
ing quite unlike the man had seen on the
previous evening. His wife explained that
the "shakes" seldom lasted in her family
beyond three days, but had my own i'm.
preston that in this instance the attack
had been owing as much to the fright as
to the ducking which her husband had re.
ceived.
| write this as warning to all bicyclists
who are fond of exercising in the myster'
ious shadows of eve before the eyes OF the
uninitiated in rural and out of the way dis
tricts.--Detroit Free Press.
what 10 . Melodrarna.
Mr.. Hall Caine defines melodrams