Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1891-09-25
A MODERN GHOST.

Mr.. and Mrs. John Lindsay sat to
gether n winter evening in their coy
sitting room in their pleasant little hou5s
at Melrose Highlands.
81 should not be afraid Of a ghost if
should see live one" said John, putting
down his evening paper.
"Why ghosts never are alive, are
theyT' asked his wife.
"Well that depends answered John.
there is an account Of a meeting Of the
Psychical society" He ratified his news
paper. 1T seems from this that modern
ghosts are pretty lively If not exactly
alive. They don't 70 around with sheets
over their heads and moan nowadays
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.
81 should really like to see a ghost
said John, obeyiug his wife.
AS he spoke. there was a loud ringing
Of the front door bell. 1t was one Of the
clapper bells with a gong attached to
the inside Of the door, and the ringing
of this bell. twice repeated. was annoy
ing.
II wish folks wouldn't break the door
down" growled John, rising to go to
open It; land ! don't see why it is al
ways the girls night out" He went
through the parlor, which was dirnly
lighted, and into the bright hall. Dora
came out into the back of the hall where
she could hear who came, yet be out Of
sight behind the jog of the wall where
the hall wall made room for the sitting
room door.
"Good evening - she heard John say,
civilly.
lis 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
strangers business.
ut is a bitter cold night" said the
stranger. ut is a cold winter we are
having"
"Will you step in?" 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 n chair. Now this is a
wide, roomy place, in tho modern fash
ion, more of "A reception room than mere
~ an entrance; but Dora did not quite
like to have her husband seat there Il
visitor who had inquired for her. Be-
sides, She wanted TO see who it was. So
she went ont to the hall through the par
Tor and inquired, just before she stepped
into the hall:
Who was it came, Johny"
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 W 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 n middle aged man,
stout and tall, with dark hair sprinkled
with gray. He wore n pair Of s~ealskin
gloves. The rest of his outfit looked
comfortable and suitable for n sharp
winter evening. The s~ealslSin gloves
looked unusually large. Dora stared at
them with some curiosity as she adj.
vanced.
did you wish to see me, sir?" she
asked.
The stranger looked at her.
ayes" ne said. "if you are Mrs. Lind
say"
Il am, " said Dora with dignity.
"Will you ask your husband to STEP
into some room ont of heuring? My 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
Johns side, her nerves beginning tc
SILVER a little at the visitors manner.
81 prefer to step out Of hearing, Dora, >
said John coldly. glancing at her now
with an expression which both terrified
and angered her, it was 80 unlike him
Pride and fear struggled within her FOL
an instant, then pride won.
"Very WE'LL" she said go If you
wish, John" He did not start.
You perceive that be cannot. said
the visitor. Il hypnosized him rs he
opened the door, and no is under the
control Of my win. gave you a com.
plete test at once Of my power. You
know that Of his own Will your husband
would not leave you under these circum.
stances. He says no prefers to go DO
aus Of my power"
II am glad he is hypnotissd then,
said Dora with feeling. She slipped her
hand into Johns. at makes me love
you more to know that you would moi
60 of your free viii she whispered
Don't whisper 10 mel" said John
Lindsay sharply in return.
Dora laughed.
"Now, how much do you want, OF dc
want us TO get up an exhibition for you
or something Mr. MIR" she hest
tated.
"My name Is. Councillor. said the
.InHL $3.50. A. "a 81.