The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-02

had funny sort of feeling. shouldn't
like to sleep in it on Christmas night,
anyhow"
"Humbug!" replied Bob.
well, it may be humbug," said Her.
bert, but l challenge you to sleep
there, anyhow"
Il accept" exclaimed Bob-"I ac-
cept," and in saying this he felt that
he was not an ordinary kind of young
man. Does the ghost appear" he
went on, "or are there only sounds?'
She appears, l suppose"
And not he man."
mo, she comes alone. She was a
beautiful girl, and very good. Indeed,
l am told that everybody loved her
because she was so good and pure"
Il should like to see her, then" was
Bob's reply; 1T would be phenomenal,
indeed, to see a good, pure woman.
For my own part, doubt whether any
such exist"
This latter original remark had been
repeated very frequently at the Bache-
lors' club. although Bob had an idea
that he was the first who ever used it.
Christmas day happened on the
Wednesday in this particular year, and
on the Saturday previous Bob found
his way to Beechwood. He was prom
ised that no woman, beyond the SER
wants, should be seen that he should
have plenty of shooting; and that in
the evening several nice fellows would
be present for a talk and smoke.
Mr.. Walker possessed a good library,
billiard table, and good cigars. What
more could man want? Anyhow, Bob
expressed himself as delighted.
AS the conveyance drove up to the
house the young man felt that, after ALL
life was worth living. Mr.. Walker gave
him a hearty greeting, while Herbert
who took him to his room, seemed in
high spirits.
The three days prior to Christmas
day passed quickly away, and Bob de-
clared that he enjoyed himself thor
oughly.
There is something sensible about
it," he remarked. There are no gig
Cling girls about, no spooning going
on between them and silly fellows: in
fact. it's a joy unspeakable to know
that the house is free from petticoats."
We'll. l think it awfully SLOW" re-
piled Herbert. II shall be jolly glad
when Thursday comes. Eunice is COM
ing then with some of her friends. She
will make the house like new place"
What time does she arrive?" asked
Bob.
"Oh, not till about three o'clock on
Thursday afternoon
Il shall be in London by that time"
Come, old man. don't be a fool; stay
the week out and enjoy yourself"
No. thank you" replied Bob. 1--WE
had enough of women. you know"
why, have you heard or seen any
thing"
Certainly not. OF course the whole
story Is a pure fabrication, and only
due to the Imagination of frightened
and superstitious people,"
On Christmas day, Bob spent his time
in what he called a sensible way. In
the morning he read Rousseau's Com
fessions," and then, after enjoying the
Christmas goose, he had a sleep; this
over, he went for walk with Herbert,
and then came back to Beechwood with
a good appetite for tea. A very quiet
evening was spent, and at half-past ten
Bob went to his room.
1t was comfortable room, rather
low-celed, but roomy. The fireplace
was large, and in the crate a bright
fire burned chcerfully; over the man
telpiece was large mirror, which, as
Bob remarked. was not common in a
bedroom. a huge armchair was placed
in front of the fire, the kind which
goes by the name of "a saddlebag:"
and close by the chair table was
placed on which was dozen or more
books.
Bob sat down and looked contented-
ly into the fire. He turned to the table
by his side, turned up the lamp, and
picked UP a book.
I've had pleasant time. There's
been no noise, no bother. no women I:
indeed. nothing unpleasant. I should
have liked to have stayed till Satur-
day. Bother these girls who are COM
ing tomorrow And yet, of the truth
must be told, Bob almost wished that
he'd consented to tolerate the girls,
so as to have had three days more of
comfort.
But there, it's no use," he went on;
"it can't be helped. Besides, when l
get back, I'll have another try at a
story--a real good. moving story, such
as makes old people feel young. Ay. /
wish I could! Why in the world can't
l write? I'm afraid it's no use trying.
l believe IL go back home and ask old
Rimmer to take me on again. It's bet
ter than grubbing at reporting for the
papers. Oh dear! Well, I'll have a
read"
How long Bob read I cannot say, in
deed I do not think he knew himself.
1t might have been an hour or more.
but presently he started up uneasily.
There seemed to be strange influence
in the room. an influence such as he
had never felt before. To his surprise,
too, the fire had got low. so he con-
cluded that he must have been sitting
for a good while. Then he heard a low,
gurgling sound. as If someone had a
difficulty in breathing: this was fol-
lowed hx a scream. Or at leas st he