Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-08-22
CALLED BY A GHOST,


and though was In tho act Of sitting
down TO my chop. | hurried instantly
into my surgery.
entered briskly; but no sooner did
catch sight OF the figure standing lean.
ing against tho counter than | started
back with strange feeling OF horror
Never shall forget the ghastliness Of
that faco--tho white horror stamped up
on every fcature-thc agony which
seemed to sink the very eyes beneath
the contracted brows; II was awful Ia
me 10 behold. accustomed as 1 was 10
scenes Of terror.
"You seek advice" began, with
some hesitation.
mo; am not ILL.,"
"You require them
"Hushw hc interrupted. approaching
more nearly and dropping his already
low murmur 20 mere whisper. II be.
lieve you arc not rich. Would you be
willing TO earn thousand pounds
~ should be thankful, II | could do
10 honestly" replied with dignity.
"what Is the service required OF meY'
A peculiar look Of intense horror
passed over the white face before me,
but tho blue black lips answered firmly.
"To attend n deathbed."
"a thousand poundsto attend death.
bedl Where am to 80, then-whose
Ia III"
mime"
Tho voice in which this was said
sounded so hollow and distant that In.
voluntarily l shrank back. "Yoursl
What nonsensel You arc not dying
man. You are pale, but you appear
perfectly healthy. You
"Hush!' he interrupted; II know all
this. You cannot be moro convinced
Of my physical health than am myself
yet know that before the clock tolls
tho first hour after midnight shall be a
dead man."
"But"--
He shuddcred slightly; but stretching
out his hand commandingly, motioned
mo to DO silent. II am but too well In.
formed OF what affirm" no said quiet.
ly; II have received u mysterious sum
mons from tho dead. No mortal aid
can avail me. ! do not come either "a
seek your advice or TO argue tho matter
with you. but simply to buy your serv
ices. l offer you ei,O0O to pass the
night In my chamber and witness IN,
scene which takes place"
Tho words. strange as they were, wcr,
spoken calmly enough. but an expires
sion Of such wild horror again passot
over the strangers fuco that in spite Of
the immense fee hesitated 20 answer.
Ho placed before mo parchment
document. md following the indication
Of that white, muscular hand read tn,
words, "And to Mr.. Frederick Read, o
IA High street, Alton, i bequeath tn
sum of 81 900 for certain services ron
dered TO me-"
~ have had that will drawn up with
In the last twenty-four hours. and
signed II an hour ago In the presence o
competent witnesses. | am prepared
you see. Now do you accept my offer o
noty"
My answer was TO walk across tn
room md take down my hat, and thei
lock the door Of the surgery communi
eating with the house.
II was dark, Icy cold night an,
somehow the courage and determination
which the sight of my own name in con
~
given mo tagged considerable as ! foun
myself hurried along through the silen
darkness by man whose deathbed
was about to attend.
He was grimly silent, but M his han
touched mine, in spite OF the frost,
felt like burning coal.
On we went-tramp, tramp, throug
the snow--on, on, till even grew weary
and at length ON my appalled, ear struc
tho chimes OF u church clock. while clos
at hand l distinguished tho snowy hi
locks OF churchyard.
ELEVEN" groaned tho doomed mar
"Gacious Godl but two hours nor
and that ghost messenger will bring III
summons. Come, come; for mercy
sake. let us hastenv'
There was but n short road separatin
US now from wall which surrounded
large mansion, and along this we ha
tened until we reached small door.
Passing through this we stealthily a
cended the private staircase TO II sploi
didly furnished apartment.
All was intensely silent, howeve
through tho house. My companio
glanced at the clock ON tho mante
shelf and sank into large chair by Il
side OF the fire with u shudder. son
al hour and huff longer he mu
tered. "Great heayenl ! thought ha
more fortitude. This horror unmal
mo-"
put my hand on his wrist, for the
was now fever in his sunl,en ey
which checked tho supersttious chi
lao tl.t.