The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-05-18
III.

The next morning when the Otis family
met at breakfast, they discussed the ghost
at some length. The U. S. minister was
naturally little annoyed to find that his
present had not been accepted. Il have
no WISH" he said, "to do the ghost any
personal injury, and must say that, con-
sidering the length OF time he has been in
the house, don't think it is at all polite
to throw pillows at him." very just re-
mark, at which am sorry to say the
twins burstinto shouts OF laughter. upon
the other hand" he continued, ''if he
really declines to use the Rising Sun Luz
bricator we shall have to take his chains
from him. It would be quite impossible
20 sleep with such a noise going on out
side the bedrooms"
For the rest OF the week, however, they
were undisturbed. the only thing that ex-
cited any attention being the continual
renewal of the blood stain on the library
floor. This certainly was very strange, as
the door was always locked at night bv
Mr.. Otis, and the windows kept closely
barred. The chameleon-like color, also
of the stain. excited a good IDEAL of COM
ment. Some mornings it was a dull tall
most Indian) red, then il would be ver-
million, then a rich purple, and once
when they came down for family prayers,
according TO the simple rites of the Free
American episcopalian church, they found
it bright emerald green. These kaleidos-
copic changes naturally amused tho party
very much, and bets on the subject were
freely made every evening. The only per-
son who did not enter into the Joke was
little Virginia, who, for some unexplained
reason, was always a good deal distressed
at the sight OF the blood stain, and very
nearly cried the morning it was emarald
green.
The second appearance OF the ghost was
on Sunday night. Shortly after they had
gone to bed they were suddenly alarmed
by fearful crash in the hail. Rushing
down stairs they found that large suit
Of old armor had become detached from
its stand, and had fallen on the stone
floor, while, seated in high-backed chair,
was the Canterville ghost rubbing his
knees with an expression of acute agony
on his face. The twins, having brought
their pea-shooters with them, at once dis
charged two pellets on him, with that ae-
curacv OF aim which can only be obtained
by long and careful practice on a writing
master, while the L. :. minister covered
him with his revolver, and called upon
him, in accordance with Californian ETH
quette, to hold up his hands The ghost
started up with a wild shrek of rage and
swept through them like a mist, extin-
gushing Washington Otis candle as he
passed, and so leaving them all in total
darkness. On reaching the top of the
staircase he recovered himself and deter
mined to give his celebrated peal OF de-
moniac laughter. This he had on more
than one occasion found extremely useful.
1t was said TO have Turned Lord Raker's
wig gray in single night, and had GER
tainly made three of Lady CantervIlles
French governesses give warning before
their month was up. He accordingly
laughed his most horrible laugh till the
old vaulted roof rang and rang again, but
| hardly had the fearful echo died away
| when q door opened and Mrs. Otis came
out in a light blue dressing gown. II am
afraid you are far from WE'LL" she said,
''and have brought you a bottle OF DR..
Dobelps tincture. II it is indigestion you
will find it a most excellent remedy"
The ghost glared at her in fury and began
at once TO make preparations for turning
himself into = large black dog, an accom-
plishment for which be was Justly re-
nowned, 70 which the family doctor al
ways attributed the permanent idiocy of
Lord Canterville's uncle. the Hon. Thomas
| Horton. The sound of approaching foot
| steps, however, made him hesitate in his
| fell purpose, so he contented himself with
| becoming family phosphorescent and van
| ished with deep churchyard groan just
as the twins had come up 10 him.
On reaching his room he entirely broke
down and became prey 10 the most VIC
lent agitation. The vulgarity OF the twins
and the gross materialism OF Mrs. Otis
were naturally extremely annoying, but
what really distressed him most was that
he had been unable TO wear the suit OF
mail. He had hoped that even modern
Americans would be thrilled by the sight
| OF a Spectre in Armor, il for no more SEN
sible reason, at least out Of respect for
their national poet, Longfellow, over
whose graceful and attractive poetry he
himself had whiled away many q weary
| hour when the Canteryilles were I'D in
town. Besides, ii was his own suit. He
had worn it with great success at the
! kenilworth tournament, and had been
highly complimented on it by no less
person than the Virgin Queen herself.
Yet when he had put it on he had been
completely overpowered by the weight OF
! the huge breastplate and steel casque
and had fallen heavily on the stone pave
ment, barking both his knees severely and
DIulsluk tie huuChtes Ol lllh IlRnL mana.
For some days after this he was ex-
tremely i'll, and hardly stirred out of his
room at all, except to keep the blood stain
In proper repair. However, by taking
great care of himself, he recovered, and
resolved to make a third attempt to
| brighten the Z. s. minister and his family.
He selected Friday, the 18th of August,
for his appearance, and spent most of that
| day in looking over his wardrobe ulti-
mately deciding Ia favor of a large
slouched hat with red feather, winding
sheet frilled at the wrists and neck, and a
rusty dagger. Toward evening violent
storm Of rain came IN. and the wind was
so high that all the windows and doors in
the old house shook and ratified. In fact.
II was just such weather as he loved His
plan OF action was this; he was TO make
his way quietly TO Washington Otis
room, gibber at him from the foot
OF the bed, and stab himself three
times in the throat to the sound of
low music. He bore Washington a SPECIAL
| erudge. being quite aware that il was he
who was In the habit of removing tho
famous Canterville hloodsiain by means of
Pinkerton's paragon detergent Having
reduced the reckless and foolhardy youth
to condition OF abject terror, he was then
l TO procssd 10 the room occupied by the