Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-10-05
A MODERN GHOST.
THE STORY OF JOHN LrNDsAY's WISH
AND ITS UNPLEASANT GRArIFIcATIoN.

sitting room in their pleasant little house
at Melrose Highlands.
II should not be afraid of a ghost If
should see live one." said John, put
ting down his evening paper.
@Why, ghosts never are alive, are
they?" asked his wife.
"Well, that depends, answered John !;
@here is an account of meeting of the
Psychical Society" He ratified his
newspaper at seems from this that
modern ghosts are pretty lively if not ex-
actly alive. They don't go around with
sheets over their heads and moan nova
days like old fashioned ghosts. They
seem to have tasted of the spirit Of
progress of the age.
Dora was knitting a silk sock for her
husband, and she asked him to hold up
his slipper to let her judge the length OF
his foot.
II should really like to see a ghost,
said John, obeying his wife.
As he spoke, there was a loud ringing
of the front door bell 1t was one of the
clapper bells with gong attached to the
inside of the door, and the ringing of this
bell twice repeated, was annoying.
II wish folks wouldn't break the door
down., growled John, rising to go to
open it; "and ! don't see why it is always
the girls night out" He went through
the parlor, which was dimly lighted, ari
into the bright hall. Dora came out
into the back of the hall where she coult
hear who came, yet be out of sight be.
hind the jog of the wall where the hall
wall made room for the sitting room
door.
"Good evening", she heard John say
civilly.
ais Mrs. Lindsay at homer" asked a
strange voice--a mans voice.
"Yes, answered John. His question.
ing tone, his manner of waiting, indi.
Gated that he wished to know the strap.
gers business.
at is bitter cold night, said the
stranger. 1T is a cold winter we are
having"
"Will you step in p said John.
Dora drew back into the sitting room.
She heard her husband close the front
door, open the register in the hall, and
give the visitor chair. Now this is
wide, roomy place, in the modern fashion,
more of reception room than merely an
entrance but Dora did not like to have her
husband seat there visitor who had in
quired for her. Besides, she wanted to
see who it was. So she went out to the
hall through the parlor and inquired,
just before she stepped into the hall:
"Who was it came, John?"
Then seeing the visitor sitting by the
register she said:
@oh, excuse me; I'm sure hope you
will excuse me-.
She was very much embarrassed by
her own ruse, for neither the stranger
nor her husband even glanced at her, and
Dora saw that her husband was paler
than she had ever seen him. His gaze
was fixed intently upon the stranger.
Dora could see nothing alarming in their
visitor. He was a middle aged man,
stout and tall, with dark hair sprinkled
with gray. He wore pair of sealskin
gloves. The rest of his outfit looked COM
Portable and suitable for sharp winter
evening. The sealskin gloves looked un-
usually large. Dora stared at them with
some curiosity as she advanced.
did you wish to see me, sirS" she
asked.
The stranger looked at her.
ayes, he said, :" if you are Mrs. Lind
say"
II am, " said Dora, with dignity.
@Will you ask your husband to step
into some room out of hearing. bly, busi-
ness is with you alone.
My business Is always my husbands.
No one can have any business with me
which is not his, " said Dora, moving to
ohnsside. her nerves beginning to shiveT
q little at the visitors manner.
Il prefer 10 step out of hearing, Dora,
said John coldly. glancing at her now
with an expression which both terrified
and angered her, it was so unlike him.
Pride and fear struggled within her for
an instant, then pride won.
"Very well, !" she said. Go, il you
wish, John. he did not start.
@You perceive that he can not, = said
the visitor. Il hypnotized him as he
opened the door, and he is under the con-
troll OF my viii. gave you complete
test at once Of my power. You know
that Of his own viii your husband would
not leave you under these circumstances.
He says he prefers to go because Of my
power.
II am glad he is hypnotized, then, : said
Dora with feeling. She slipped her hand
into Johns. 1T makes me love you
more to know that You would not 90 Of
your own free will, she whispered.
Don't whisper to mel" said John
Lindsay sharply in return.
Dora laughed.
Now, how much do you want. or do
you want us to get up an exhibition for you
or something1 Mr. Mr. she hesi-
tafed.
NY name is Connellton, said the
stranger. No, do not want to get up
an exhibition. am ghost merely
looked in in response to an invitation
from your husband. He said be should
like 10 see ghost. This is q pleasant
house you hare here. should ike 70