The Iola register., 1891-10-30

For O msment Mrs. Mum felt faint.
It was all true. theni
Indeed, 1t was far. far worse than
seeing o burglar, even to hear that
voice. And now-nowi Yesi Slowly,
solemnly arose from behind the foot
board figure all in white. Mrs. Mum
covered her head with the quilt.
You are right to quail before me-"
said a voice. 81 claim my husband
for my own. Marry him, and you
die!'
1t was the voice of Mrs. Sheers, it
seemed to the old lady. She had al
ways disliked it Now it irritated her
and helped her to be brave. Making
one great effort. she sprung to her feet
and faced the ghost.
The ghost retired. Mrs. Mum fol-
lowed. 1t struck her that she had
frightened the spirit more than it had
frightened her. And. stretching out
her hand, she grabbed the ghost by the
collar, as she had the burglar. Her
face was close to its pallid face now.
and her blood curdled in her veins as
she fancied that she recognized the
sharp nose, small mouth and fat FORE
head of the late Mrs. Sheers amid the
folds of the ghostly head-dress. But
the thing did not vanish. 1t was quite
substantial.
II believe I've materialized you."
said Mrs. Mum as she crowded the
ghost in the corner and reached for
the dark-lantern which she had hidden
under her pillow and opened the slide.
In q moment more she had pulled
away the white wrappings and stood
over q sharp-featured woman in a
heliotrope-colored gown, who crouched
and shivered in corner-Miss Selma
Shepherd. whose resemblance to her
sister vanished when one saw her red
hair, for Mrs. Sheers' hair had been
black. either by nature or by art.
Opinions varied as to that.
so it is you." said Mrs. Mum
'yeu that have been frightening my
Charity out of marrying your sisters
widower! 1 suppose she'd have gone
on thinking you ghost forever. But
you've got me to deal with now. How
did you get IMP"
oh, Mrs. Mum, have mercym Se-
lima moaned. Sister left everything
to him. and I'm to be turned out of
house and home. 1t was just life and
death to me that he shouldn't marry"
You didn't want him yourself.
thenp" asked Mrs. Mum.
NO" said Selma; mo more than
he wants me. l meant to keep house
and be his sister; and / don't know
how to earn my living. Now he'll be
furious and hate me-"
''Miss Selma" said Mrs. Mum,
show did you get in hereP"
"A trap door in the corner opens on
pair of stairs to the drug store. This
used to be a storeroom," sobbed Sell
ma. 1T bolts on the other side"
I'm see it is nailed up," said Mrs.
Mum. Now we may come to terms.
I'll tell Clarity. but neither of US will
tell the doctor or anybody else. Stop
haunting and be friendly and Clarity
won't let the doctor send you away.
Seeing that he has got your sisters
money. that will be but fair. Only.
the moment Clarity is tormented l tell
my story"
Miss Selma stopped sobbiug and
scrambled to her feet.
Agreed" she said. Women who
have had hard times ought to feel for
each other"
Having lighted the ghost down the
ladder aud thrown her white vestments
after her. Mrs. Mum put a trunk over
the trap-door and retired to dream of
weddings.
After Clarity married DR.. Sheers
people used 10 say how wonderful it
was that Miss Selma received her
brother-in-law's second wife so pleas
antly. and how curious it was that she
was so friendly with Mrs. Num-
FIreside Companion.