The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1890-04-17

She began to read, turning the leaves
over slowly at first, but gradually her
eyes flew over the closely written parr
the words and thoughts were Citing az
with an interest tina. she had seldom
felt.
II o-..y tho woman had not been such
.. stick she said; IF she had not said
such stiff, silly things; one could feel
that the story was perfect"
She sat moment in deep thought.
Il believe ! can do it; at all events |
shall try; but not now She got up,
arranged the papers and chair just as
she had found them, and crept down
through the little door into her own
room.
The next day, Miss Paschall surprised
the fashionable stationer on the corner
by ordering whole ream Of 'foolscap."
Richard Blount opened the door Of his
bare little study, put down the armful
OF wood he was carrying, and knelt
down upon the hearth to kindle fire.
He was what casual observer would
call an ugly man, but he. had good,
welf-knit figure, a fine head, and strong
tliouBu irregular TEXTURES.
There was a tired, troubled look on
his face, as he sat down to his writing
table and bent his head upon his folded
hands. He was weary in mind and body
His days had been always days of toll;
his life had been one long struggle.
With the heritage of a geod=namatha
had come to him from his forefathers,
there had come from his father a legacy
of debt which he had been striving, for
years TO payA .--
.sMy task isNalmost done,' he said to
himself. IF ncould only get my story
accepted! If only Knew how to make
it go ! feel sure there are good things
in 1t; but If only knew what to make
the girl say! When bellows acquaint-
ance with women doesn't extend beyond
a knowledge of his own grandmother,
he can't haze very clear idea of what
a young girls conversation would be
like. Well, I'll try once more and see
what can do with it,
picked UP the MS, which was
folded carefully, and still in the place
Mhere he had left it
Slowly turned over the first few
pages, listlessly reading them.
Suddenly he held the paper up close
to the lamp. The handwriting had
changed Fhere was no break in the
story, bat as he read on he found whole
pages which he had not written, and
gradually it dawned upon him that
these additions were giving his story a
life, a sparkle that it had not had be-
fore.
"Who can have done ita" he said,
when he had finished. mo one knows
of this den but myself not even grand
mother Perhaps it is ghost come
back from out our past grandeur" he
said, with a smile, ''and very witty
ghostshe is, too, " booking at the beauti-
full womanly writing that was mingled
with his own. II feel deeply indebted
to her for her interference. Well, | shall
send the story off again, and, if it is
published, that will make my assistant
show up, if she be not a ghost in very
TRUTH he said, by and by. a
have brought you the magazine
containing the new story that is Great
ing such a Juror just now," said Polly's
father to her one dav. Nobody knows
the author, but am told he has made
the hit of the season"
oh" said Polly, significantly, when
she had cut the leaves. That was all.
She went up to her room, taking the
magazine.
81 believe Ishall pay another visit to
my ghosts apartment, she said, when
she had finished reading the story.
So saying, she scrambled up on the
bookcase, opened the door and went into
the room beyond, Her dress caught on
the door as she passed through and
pulled it to with a click. Before she
had time to extrfcate herself, she heard
key Inserted into the lock on the other
SIDE Of the room. the door opened and
man walked in. Polly leaned back
aga INST the wall. frightened.
The young man stood holding the door
in his hand, with a startled expression
in his big, gray eyes.
+fiow-how did you get here?' he
asked, bruptly.
Through the little door here" said
Folly. breathlessly. 1T has shut to be-
hind me. Oh, dear, I thought you were
aghostlin ---
''No, I think it is you who are the
ghost said the young man, with a
smt1e.
Won't you open the door for me?"
sad Polly, recovering herself.
The young man came up to her.
7's.'fou are Miss Paschall." he said. 81
have heard my grandmother speak of
yom-M y name is Richard Blount.
Polly turned her beautiful eyes mo-
ment up to his good, ugly face, and held
ont her hand to him. He blushed as he
took it, and for moment neither spoke.
81 fear can not open this little trap
door for you from this side" he said at
last There is long hall which leads
over your house to the one grandmother
ard occupy now. Come, will take
ven out that way. j come all the way
JTFer mere so that my light may not dis
.l,frb grandmother at might, If your own
apartments are near this, j fear have
dlsturhed you, he added, as he held the
d ,or open and she passed out into the
narrow hallway.
30, no. she answered, 81 think have
ony heard Won once, and then was in
hopes yon we're a ghost.
$50 you we're caught by the little
springiock said old Mrs. Blount, when
they had found her and Polly presence
Mas explained. II remember being
astened IN tho little square room once,