Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1890-03-08

Polly gave a scream, and sahk dowI
upon the top of the bookcase. Sh,
waited a moHen.., no sign, no sound re
suited from her successful effort ans
she stood up and peered through tn,
doorway. Gradually, as her eyes he
came accustomed ia Ire seMliarknesS
she began to distinguish the objects il
the little room beyond There was q
ease of books, a large square table, and
one chair, big and coy and comfortable
looking.
Polly's father had always called her a
plucky girl, and now she hrsitated only
a moment, then stepped mp through the
opening into the room beyond,
II was a very small room she found
when she had gotten in, and the only
door that led from it was locked. The
books on the shelves we're old and rusty
looking.
They belong to a dead gpberation,'
said Polly.
On the tables were papers, sheet after
sheet OF manuscript, pencils, pens and
ink. The chair was sitting before the
table as if some one had Just been
writing, and upon the hearth we're fresh
embers.
"My ghost is certainly a sensible
creeture-humanly So" said Polly. as
she seated herself in the chair, and he.
gan to look over the panor- OH the table.
There were maNy notes and scraps,
meaningless and disjointed, but finally
she came to a packet containing quite a
long manuscript, closely written, much
folded and fingered.
The CHEST is an author" said Polly,
"and his manuscript has been rejected.
Proved unavailable for our columns
Poor fellow, Well, | shall read his
story. The plot thickens, Think of
being able to read a ghosts story"
She began 10 read, turning the leaves
over slowly at frs, but gradually her
eyes few over the closely written pages;
the words and thoughts were filling her
with an interest that she had seldom
felt,
If only the woman had not been such
a stick, She said, IF She had not said
such stiff, silly things, n could feel
that the story was perfect"
She sat a momen 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 crcpt down
through the little door into her own
room,
The next day, Miss Paschal! surprised
the fashionable stationcr on the corner
by ordering a whole ream of 'foolscap,"
Richard HIount opened the door of mis-
bare little study put down the armful
Of wood he was carrying, and knclt
down upon the hearth to kindle a fire.
He was what a casual observer would
call an ugly man, but he had a good,
well-ka.t figure, a fine head, and strong
though irregular features,
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, lie va, weary in mind and body.
His days had been always days of toll;
his lifa had been one long struggle.
With the heritage of a good name that
had come to him from his forcfathers.
there had come from his father a legacy
of debt which he had been striving for
years TO pay.
My task is almost done" he said to
himself If l could only get my story
accepted. If ! only knew how to make
it go, ! feel sure there are good things
in it; but if | only knew what to make
the girl say. When a fellows acquaint.
ance with women doesn't extend beyond
a knowledge of his own grandmother,
he can't have a very clear idea Of what
a young girls conversation would be
like. Well, I'll try once more and sec
what | can do with it."
lie picked up the MS, which wa,
folded carefully and still in the place
where he had left it.
Slowly he turned over the first few
pages, listlessly reading them,
Suddenly he held the paper up closC
to the lamp, The handwriting haC
changed. There was no break in tn,
story. but as he read on he found Who'll,
pages which he had not written, anC
gradually it dawned upon him tina
these additions were giving his story
life, a sparkle that it had not had be
fore.
"Wbo can have done it?" he said
when he had finished. mo one know
of this den but myself-not even grand
mother. Perhaps it is a ghost com,
back from out our past grandeur" b.
said, with a smile, ''and a very witt,
ghost she is, too" looking at the beauti
full womanly writing that was mingle'
with his own. Il feel deeply indebteI
to her for her interference. Well, | shall
send the story off again, and, if it i
published, that will make my assistan
show up, if she be not a ghost in yer.
truth" he said. by and by.
81 have brought you the magazin
containing the new story that is Great
ing such a Juror just now" said Polly
father to her one day. Nobody know
the author, but | am told he has mad
the hit of the season"
on said Polly, significantly, whe
she had cut the leaves. That was al
She went up to her room, taking tn
magazine.
II believe ! shall pay another visit t
my ghosts apartment, she said, whe
she had finished reading the story.
So saying, she scrambled up on tn
bookcase, opened the door and went int
the room beyond. Her dress caught o
the door as she passed through an
PULLED it to with a click. Before sh
had time to extricate herself, she hear
a key Inserted into the lock on the otbe
de of the room, the door opened and
man walked in. Polly leaned bac
aga INST the wall, frightened.
The young mar stood holding the do,
in his hand, with a startled expressio
in his big, gray eyes.
/, "Ilow-how did you get here?" J
asked, abruptly.
: Through the little door here, sa'
! Folly, breathlessly. at has Shut to b
hind me. On, dear, | thought you we
+, a ghost
NO. / think it Is you who are Il
ghost said the young man, with
, smilc.
Won't you open the door for me
said Polly. recovering herself.
The young man came up to her.
you are Miss paschall," he said.
4 have heard my grandmother sneak