The Iola register., 1891-10-30
NOT AFRAID OF GHOSTS.

Clarlty-by the way, ene was Dap
tized Clarita, only her mother chose
to Yankeefy twas q very pretty
girl. A smart girl, too. and quick
one.
And that is why she was always busy
ut home or in other peoples houses at
the trade by which she earned her liv-
Ing, besides dressing herself so prettily
that no summer boarder could outdo
her. How she got the latest styles out
there at Cross Sticks no one could
think; but she did it.
No wonder that Will Sheers, who
kept the drug store in the village, fell
that he hired to her mother-a praise
worthy widow. fond Of telling the
story of her husbands failure to any
one who would listen-a wing Of the
building in which be kept his store-a
snug little affair of three rooms, for
which he had no use. being a bachelor.
The rooms directly over the store,
which were large and handsome, re-
mained vacant, which led the village
to suppose that the druggist intended
to marry shortly.
When Mrs. Mum had moved into
the little end wing it was but a step
from the store door to the widows fiat
doorstep, and DR.. Sheers spent much
OF his time there, especially in the
evening. and people had begun to say
that it was splendid thing for Clari-
ty." when the two Misses Shepherd
came to board with Mrs. Finn, with
whom DR.. Sheers boarded.
Mrs. Finn advertised for summer
boarders every year, under the halluci-
nation that Cross Sticks was 1.-THE
country" and she always caught few
victims, who sat on the porch and fam
ned away the mosquitoes, and took
walks to the post Office, and went on
picnics to the frog-pond in the suburbs
aud looked at very distant mountains
through feld-glasses. and were other
wise as rural as possible.
Before they left in the fall the young
est Miss Shepherd was engaged to DIR.
Sheers.
She was older than he. She was
sharp of voice and elbows; but she had
inherited a fortune from her grand
mother, and then. as Mrs. Finn said,
'she ran after him, and would hev him
whether he would or no."
Meanwhile Clarity went on dress
making and showed no signs Of regret
ting her truant lover; and when Mrs.
Mum proposed giving up the rooms
forbad her to do so with the sternness
with which daughters forbid their
mothers to carry out their own ideas
In this the nineteenth century.
"Why, ma, every one would think
we felt cut up about it!" said Clarity.
81 dol" said Mrs. Nun; Il haven't
felt worse since your pa failed"
Il don't care whom he marries. I'm
sure" said Clarity. ''And this is the
cheapest place, to be so pretty that we
can find"
One day from her window she saw
the bride and groom return to take
possession of their newly furnished
rooms.
For a while the bride and groom
seemed very comfortable. New plate
glass windows we're put into the store,
and a wonderful soda-fountain was in
troduced. There was looking-glass
between the rows OF boxes, and por-
there was hung at the door that opened
into the back room. A little carriage
in which Mrs. Sheers drove her sister
to pay calls on her friends added luster
to the establishment.
Suddenly a cloud arose. Mrs. Sheers
was i'll. There was a consultation.
Shortly after that there was Grape on
the door, The doctor was widower.
However, the day after the anniver-
sary of his wife's funeral DR.. Sheers
assumed light hat, had his hair cut
and his mustache waxed. put a rose in
his buttonhole and called on Clarity
Mum. Shortly afterward these two
were openly engaged to be married.
And again things seemed to be going
on well, at least very well, consider
ing" when people began to notice that
Clarity was pale, that she was growing
thin, that she cried over her work;
and at last there was rumor that
she intended to ''break" with DIR.
Sheers.
They're talking of it all over Cross
Sticks, Clarity" Mrs. Mum said. land
YOU do look most miserable. What is
the matter?"
Its dreadful" said Clarity. He's
fond of me and / am of him, and you'd
be so comfortable. He promises every.
thing, and my heart is broken, but
dare not marry him; oh, dare not!'
and her ewes grew solemn aud she
looked over her shoulder.
"Why?" gasped the widow.
'.She haunts me-his first wife, you
know" said Clarity, '.and says she
will kill me on my wedding day. Oh,
am not crazy. maj"
I'm not afraid of ghosts" said Mrs
Mum. Il thought you had more
spirit. Why. before your pa failed
found a burglar in my room robbing
NV iewel-box, and l collared him.
thought you took after me and hac
some spirit, Clarity"
You cannot collar ghost" sobbed
Clarity.
You can try" said Mrs. Mum
Now, what ask of you is to take my
folding bed in the parlor tonight. ant
let me sleep in your bed upstairs, anC
if she that was Mrs. Sheers appears II
me I'll make her come to terms"
That night Mrs. Mum, in the littl'
upper room, put out her lamp. hid :
dark-lautern behind the pillow ant
awaited events.
The clock struek-11-12-and moth
ing happened. At 1915 q curious
noise was heard under the bed.
A groan followed-a voice, and j
sounded very much like Mrs. Sheers
voice. whispered: Clarity Mum, yo
shall not have my husnandF