The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-10-14

With heritage of good name that had
come to him from his forefathers, there
had come from his father a legacy of
debt which he had been striving for
years to pay.
'My task is almost done,,. he said to
himself. ''If could only get my story
accepted feel sure there are good
things in it, but if l only knew what to
make the girl say. When fellows ac-
quaintance with women doesn't extend
beyond knowledge of his own grand
mother, he can't have a very clear idea of
what young girls conversation would
be like. Well, I'll try once more and see
what can do with it."
He picked up the MSS, which was
folded carefully and still In the place
where he had left it.
Slowly he turned over the first few
pages, listlessly reading them.
Suddenly he held the paper close to the
lamp. The handwriting had changed
There was no break in the story, but as
he read on he found whole pages which
he had not written, and gradually it
dawned upon him that their additions
were giving his story life, a sparkle
that it had not had before.
"Who can have done it?" he said,
MlCu nC ldu ulllontNts Nv OllC huON
of this den but myself-not even grand
mother. Perhaps it is ghost come back
from our past grandeur" with a smile,
"and very witty ghost she is, too"
looking at the beautiful, womanly writ
ing that was mingled with his own, land
l feel deeply indebted to her for her in
terfelenc Well, l shall send the story
off again, and if it is published, that will
make my assistant show up if she be not
a ghost in very TRUTH" he said, by-and-
by.
81 have brought you the magazine con-
tanning the new story that is creating
such sensation" said Polly's father to
her one day. Nobody knows the author,
but am told he has made the greatest
hit of the season."
"Oh," said Polly, when she had cut the
leaves, 81 believe l shall pay another
visit to my ghosts apartment" she add
ed to herself on her way to her room, the
magazine tucked under her arm.
She scrambled up on the bookcase,
opened the door and went into the room
beyond. Her dress caught on the door
as she passed through and pulled it to
with click. Before she had time to
extricate herself she heard key inserted
into the lock on the other side, the door
opened, and a man walked in. Polly
leaned back against the wall, frightened.
The young man regarded her with a
startled expression in his big gray eyes.
"How-did you getin here?-" he asked
at length.
Through the little door here" said
Polly, breathlessly. ut has shut to be-
hind me. thought you were a ghost"
81 think it is you who are the ghost"
said the young man, smiling.
won't you open the door for me?"
asked Polly.
The ghost came up to her.
"You are Miss Paschall," he said. 81
have heard my grandmother speak of
you. My name is Richard Blount."
Polly turned her beautiful eyes for
moment up to his good, ugly face and
held out her hand to him,
He blushed as he took it, and for a mo
ment neither spoke.
81 fear cannot open this little trap
door for you from this side," he said at
last "There is long hall which leads
over your house to the one grandmother
and occupy now. Come, l will take
you out that way. l come over here so
that my light may not disturb grand
mother at night. If your apartments are
near this fear l have disturbed YOU"
her and she passed out into the narrow
hall.
"Oh, no." she answered. II think l
heard you once, and then l was so in
hopes you were ghost!
$50 you were caught by that odd little
spring lock-" SAID old Mrs Blount, when
fhaxy hoA fOnn1 hnY aud Dnll,yfc
had been explained. 81 remember being
said the old lady, gently. SIT was when
l was young girl and here on visit to
your aunt Ellen, Richard. Your grand
father induced me to climb through the
little door, and then he fastened it behind
me. He said he would not let me out
until had promised to marry him.
stayed in that night and half the next
day before / promised him. But come,
we will take Miss Paschall
through the side door of the library and
she will be at home in moment" said
the old lady.
"There was time when was in hopes
you were ghost, too" Richard said to
Polly, as he held the door open for her to
pass through.
"Why?" asked the girl.
$50 that might hope for further as
sistance in writing my stories," he an
swered with a smile.
Not many months passed, however, be-
fore he was telling her that he could not
write without her-that he could not live
without her, in point of fact
well, suppose l must make the sac
rifice and marry you, Richard dear,N
the young lady answered demurely, IF
for nothing else in the world but to pre-
serve you from manufacturing such herd
ines as your first one was before 1 rd-
deemed her.
Richard smiled.
you are not very complimentary, Miss
Paschall," he said, "but 1 am glad to get
you upon any terms"