The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1891-08-29
A MODERN GHOST.

Mr.. and Mrs. John Lindsay sat to-
gether one winter evening in their cozy
sitting room in their pleasant little house
at Melrose Highlands.
81 should not be afraid of ghost if l
should see live one," said John, putting
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 news
paper. "It seems from this that modern
ghosts are pretty lively if not exactly
alive They don't go 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 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, obeying his wife.
AS he spoke, there was a loud ringing
Of the front door bell. It was one of the
clapper bells with gong attached to
the inside of the door, and the ringing
OF this bell, twice repeated, was annoy
ing.
81 wish folks wouldn't break the door
down., growled John, rising to go to
open it; "apd don't see why it is al
ways the girls night out" He went
through the parlor, which was dimly
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.
"Is 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.
at is bitter cold night" said the
stranger. 1T is 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 chair. Now this is a
wide, roomy place, in the modern fash
ion, more of a reception room than mere
ly an entrance; but Dora did not quite
like to have her husband seat there a
visitor who had inquired for her. Be-
- cl,o -ho c.
she went out to the hall through the par
lor 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 middle aged man.
stout and tall, with dark hair sprinkled
with gray. He wore pair of sealskir
gloves. The rest of his outfit looked
comfortable and suitable Cor a SHARP
winter evening. The sealskin gloves
looked unusually large. Dora stared a
them with some curiosity as she ad
vanced.
"Did you wish to see me. sir?" sht
asked.
The stranger looked at her.
Eyes" he said. ''if you are Mrs. Lind
say"
81 am" said Dora with dignity.
"Will you ask your husband to stel
into some room out of hearing? My bust
ness is with you alone"
"My business is always my husbands
No one can have any business with M
which is not his" said Dora, moving t,
Johns side, her nerves beginning t,
shiver little at the visitors manner.
81 prefer to step out of hearing, Dora,
said John coldly, glancing at her nov
with an expression which both terrified
end angered her, it was 80 unlike him
Pride and fear struggled within her TO
n instant, then pride won.
"Very WELL" she said. "Go If 20,
wish, john" He did not start.
"You perceive that he cannot" sal,
the visitor. Il hypnotixed him as b
opened the door, and he is under tn
control OF my will gave you com
plete test at once Of my power. 70,
know that OF his own will your husban,
would not leave you under these circum
Nancss. He says he prefers to 60 be
eeQ4s OF my power"