Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-06-10
THE llNDSAYS' GHOST.

Mr.. and Mrs. John Lindsay sat to-
gether one winter evening in their CO.
zy sitting room in their pleasant little
house at Melrose Highlands.
Il should not be afraid of u ghost if
| 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 meet
ing OF the Psychical Society. (He rat
tied his newspaper.) 1t seems from
this that modern ghosts are pretty
lively, if not exactly alive. They do
not 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"
AS he spoke, there WAS n loud ring
ing of the front door bell. 1t was one
of the clapper bells with IA gong at
tached to the inside of the door, and
the ringing of this bell, twice repeat
ed, 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, 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 in the wall where the hall wall
made room for the sitting-room door.
Good evening" she heard John
say, civilly.
lis Mrs. Lindsay ut home p askeda a
strange voice-a mans voice.
Yes" answered John. His ques-
tioning tone, his manner of waiting,
indicated that he wished to know the
strangers business.
1T is bitter cold night said the
stranger. 1T is cold weather 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 II wide, roomy place--in
-. 4 g., .hinn- n "a
ton room than merely an entrance;
but Dora did not like to have her hus-
band seat there a visitor who had in
ouired for her. Besides, she wanted
to see who it was. SO she went out to
the hall through the parlor and in
quired. Just before she stepped into
the hall
"Who was it came, John y
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
puler 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. His
outfit looked comfortable and suita-
ble for a sharp winter evening.
Did you wish TO see me, sir'' she
asked.
The stranger looked at her.
Yes he said, If you are Mrs.
Lindsay
i am, said Dora, with dignity.
will you ask your husband to step
into some room, out OF hearing? My
business is with you alone"
My business is always my hus-
bands. No one can have any bust
ness with Inc which is not his, said
Dora, moving to Johns side, her
nerves beginning to shiver little at
the visitors manner.
Il prefer to step out Of hearing,
Dora, said John, coldly. glancing AT
her now with an expression that both
terrified and angered her-it was 30
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 cannot, said
the visitor. Il hypnotized him as ne
opened the door, and he is under the
control of my will. gave you a COM
plete test at once Of my power. You
know that of his own will your hus-
band would not leave you under these
circumstances. He says he prefers to
go because of my power"
Il AIN glad he is hypnotized, then,
said Dora, with feeling. She slipped
l. ssIr r1ta l. as IN %