Wichita eagle., 1888-04-13

"'What is it, GeorgeP she asked as she
burst eagerly into the room.
G'Something has touched me on the shoul-
der again. replied. What can it beT
al wish knew said Laura, drawing very
near to me and looking about the room with
mysrifed and frightened expression. I'm
sure can't see anything
"'Were you asleep when | calledF
"'No, 1 was reading
"'Did you hear anythingP
@'Not sound Sit down at your desk
again, George, just as you sat when the
hand touched you. / have an idea
81 did so, bending over as if in the act OF
writing.
sLaura approached me softly. l could
hear her footballs very family, and laid her
hand Just where the mysterious touch had
come, and even more gently.
"'Laurar cried /, springing up, you did
it, What a fool you have made of mer
George she exclaimed, her great dark
ewes filling with tears, Il did not do it. I
know nothing about it. How can you doubt
meP
al do not doubt you, little wife said I,
reassuringly: but begin to doubt myself
Il put out the light and we went up stairs
after all, it was really spirit hand that
touched me. what did it means Dit it por-
tend misfortune of some kind, death! Un-
consciously began to grow morbid upon the
subject. With the slightest basis on which
10 begin an investigation 1 should not have
despaired But what was there to investi-
gates Without the aid Of sight and hearing
reason faltered; the simple act of feeling the
Id hot on,
could arrive at but that the touch was su-
pernaturali
"Twice upon the street I was conscious of
the same strange touch, in broad daylight,
when no deception was possible. Unable to
fathom the mystery, waited cautiously, yet
not without misgivings, to see what 1t por-
tsnded
'sOne evening, while was seated at my
desk, DR.. Earle called; an aged gentleman,
in whose conversation | take great pleasure.
Seating him comfortably in my easiest chair,
I excused myself moment while complet-
ing letter begun before his arrival had
called Laura, but she had not yet come down.
Without the slightest warning, as had al
ways been the case, the same hand was placed
upon my shoulder. No longer gentle, it
gripped me firmly, as if a strong man had
grasped the flesh and squeezed it. Panied,
amazed, eager to see what this new phase of
the mystery meant, 1 whirled about with
arms extended. There was nothing behind
me- DR. Earle was quietly seated on the op-
posite side of the room, glancing over the
daily paper.
Doctor said l, conscious that my face
was red with shame, Il suppose you think me
crazy?
"CrazyT repeated the doctor, cycling me
curiousiy over his glasses.
What could I saya What explanation
could l makea l determined TO tell him the
whole story, hoping to find some parallel for
it in his long experience as a physician.
Drawing my chair close to him, l recited
every incident connected with the mysterious
touch as clearly and connectedly as / could.
He was interested from the beginning. When
l had finished he looked carefully about the
room. silently regarded me with an expires
sion partly humorous, partly puzzled, and
then observed:
"sWin you please take off your coatr
al did so.
"'Roll up your sleeves he continued.
II did So wondering at the meaning Of so
remarkable procedure. Was it one of the
old gentleman's dron conceits7 He grasped
nv shoulder and squeezed it, drawing from
me a cry of pain.
"'Night after night he sagely remarked,
frowning, you have sat by this screen. Cool,
moist air has blown on your shoulder for
hours at a time. What other results. could
have been expectedr
"'Pray, doctor, what is the resultT asked,
eagerly.
rheumatism was the sententious reply.
"'And the soft, spirit like touchF
S'Was merely the twtching of a muscle.
The soft, spirit like stage has passed, and the
fire and gimlet stage comes next, unless you
learn wisdom
Il could have embraced the old gentleman
in my transports With gleeful hop, skip
and jump ran to the door.
Laura! Laurar l called
1.-The poor creature came running down the
stairs as If a fiend was after her.
What has happenedF she gasped.
DIR. Earle has found our ghost l cried.
"'Where is itF
'''In his ar1n,' answered the doctor. Ny
dear madam, Your husband is the first man
ever met that laughed when 1 told him that
he had rheumatism. l hope he may con-
tinue to laugh
Better rheumatism than 4 ghost in the
house, DOCTOR ventured to say.
"'Huml l don't know, sir. OF the two,
believe ghosts are the easiest disposed Of
"'Our ghost is very effectively laid said
Laura, helping me on with my coat and srnil
ing at the doctor.
sit only illustrates my theory said I. No
so called supernatural occurrences will bear
the light Of investigation
"'Not so with rheumatism observed the
doctor. dryly. II viii bear the light, and it
thrives on night air. Anybody can take it;
but few can get rid Ct it
The old gentleman was right; 1 have it
vet by opinion has undergone change.
Given my choice between rheumatism and
ghost in the house, would gladly welcome
the ghost H. D. Mason in PittSburg Bull
letin.