Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-10-13

and came swiftly toward US.
This was too much for flesh and blood to
bea-, and Butter-Scotch yelled Murder
thieves firep' frantic with horror, and we
all three pulled and pushed, beside our
selves with fear
Just as the ghost nearly reached us Ned
pulled the door open, and there was a
crash and rush, and before | knew what
had happened the door had shut to with
bang, and | was left in the darkness in the
hall, with the knowledge that the ghost
could touch me if he wanted to. A second
of silence, and then voice hissed, ''Cow-
ardsp' ! indorsed that opinion heartily,
but the others were greater towards than
| was; / wouldn't have kicked the light
out of the lantern, or shut the door on
them
There was yawn, and then the thing
said, "Oh, my p
| pluclled up my spirits little The
ghost had sense enough to be sleepy, and
thought | could stand a little talk, if it
would only keep hands off, Possibly ii
wanted to find the door, for il came
straight towards me. But the knob wasn't
where the phantom thought it ought to be,
and the seeking hand rested for about two
seconds on my nose. The touch gave me
courage; it was warm, soft and pleasant as
a woman's. | stretched ont my arms and
grasped the phantom. 1t shrieked and
started, but | was strong and the ghost was
solid, so it didn't get away | didn't feel
afraid of it then on the contrary, itseemed
afraid of me.
" Dear ghost, sweet ghost" l said, az
won't hurt YOU
The answer came tremblingly and low !:
" What are you saying? Who sent you?"
" Why, my darling ghost" l said, the
lady that's going to be Mrs. Butter-Scotch."
" How do you know she is ?"
"Oh, know well enough. You are a
smart ghost not to know that p
" She doesn't love him"
"Oh, yes, she does. Ny sweet little
phantom, you are entirely mistaken.
Come, FL see if can't light the lantern,
if that insane BOBBY hasn't smashed it all
to pieces in getting out"
" Let me go, please" the ghost begged,
In very polite manner and as it spoke
the words sounded to me very much as
from human voice disguised, and vet
couldn't see for the life of me how any,
thing human could have got into the
house after we came in, or how anything
human could have made such an everlast-
ing row, and ratified It's bones so unpleas-
antly. But the ghosts hands had flesh on
them. My curiosity was aroused, so | said.
" No, l can't let you go"
-" It's wrong hugging me, when you love
another"
"Whom do | love ?"
Mrs. Butter-Scotch, of course | know
all about it."
" You do, EN-? Then | suppose you
know how it all happened ?"
Yes, of course do"
"Do you know why l stopped @'
!" Because you hadn't money enough to
ask her to marry you"
"You're perfectly right, my dear little
ghost but neither you nor | know whether
she'd have married me even if | happened
to have plenty of money. I wish you'd
tell me that"
" | won't do anything of the kind. I'm
perfectly surprised at myself for talking to
mortal so long. Goodbye, man. Go back
to the Humphreys, and tell them what
you have seen. If the old man buys this
house, won't | make it hot for him! Good
bye, mortal"
But | would not let go of the ghosts
arm.
''Please let me go now" the phantom
beseeched
A bright idea came to Inc. l said :
Can l trust you? Is ghosts word good
for anything"
With dignity it answered: Eyes;
never lie"
"All right. If you'll promise to meet
me tomorrow evening under the old apple
tree on Mr.. Humphreys place at 10 o'clock
FL let you CO." And as | released nv
hold the ghost seemed to vanish away. and
L opened the door and went out. Ny
senses were dazed in the open air; the
evening had been so strange, so almost
auspicious, that | couldno fathom it all at
once. Besides, had allowed the ghost to
go before it had given the promise to meet
me again. | remembered my stupidity
with regret, but somehow | felt the ghost
would consider the promise as having been
given, and be at the trysting-place. At
the house they had give me up for lost, and
were discussing all manner of plans for nv
rescue, and Ned was on the point of COM
ing for me alone, as Mr. Steele could not
be persuaded to enter that house again un-
til daylight. However, the thing was set
tied, and Mr.. Humphreys accepted our re-
port unquestionably, but with great regret.
and the next morning Mabel was informed
| of the result. At last the evening came,
and we were on the porch. Mabel had re-
tired with headache, and the rest of us
smoked our cigars and followed our own
thoughts in silence As it neared 10 /
arose leisurely and strolled off to the old
apple tree. had been there but few
minutes, when / saw white figure ap-
preaching as if from the adjoining place,
and 1t came straight to me and stopped at
my side.
| lifted my hat "Good evening" |
said
The phantom responded with neat lit
tie ghostly courtesy. mortal, / never tell
lie" it said.
"Will you shake hands? Truly ghosts
word can be believed"
The phantom gave me its hand, but after
| had held it decent length of time, tried
to regain possession of it.
''Does the old gentleman believe ?" asked
the ghost.
"Yes; it's all right-he won't buy the
house now. You can remain alone in it
, undisturbed possession"
II don't want to stay alone in it."
"Well, my sweet phantom, don't see
how you're going to arrange it. Haven't
you got any relatives to come and help
you to be gay ?"
"No, none"
"That's bad. l know the dust-pan and
fire-iron business is jolly, and then it does
sound awfully cheerful to have pals roll
ing down stairs; but it's like playing bill.
iards-gets monotonous if you haven't any
one to play with"
The ghost sighed
whats that for" I inquired. Don't
you like being ghost ?'
mo, not a bit"
"Dear me! Would you like to be an
ordinary mortal person?'
"Yes."
"My. And get married?''
Yes, / think SOL don't know"
! "Well, Pm very fond of you, dear little
| ghost"
81 don't believe you. You're fond o.
somebody else.
"Well, well; you told me that before
and don't deny it; but, my sweet little
phantom, she don't care two cents for me
now"
"How do you know"
"Oh, | know it very well'
4