The sun., 1896-10-18
uIRAM HAYBArrLE,s aHosr.
The Real Reason why Miss melissa SSesg,
Refused To Recomr Mrn. II

No one would have ever thought that Hiram
Haybattlc was u man.who had played a leading
part In a romantic tragedy. but he had, and the
marks of It were still on him. though they were
in his heart and invisible.
He was n bachelor Of so years, and was really
q most exemplary person, besides being dea-
con in his church. and the owner OF quito n
tidy little bit of well paying property, n quail
itv which IS never overlooked In religious and
moral communities. Ho was man of most
Abstemious and quiet habits, with red hair
and perhaps two dozen large-sized freckles,
most OF them on his capacious nose, but SOW
eral on his pink and fuzzy cheeks, as II they
had lodged there In transit. His eyes woro
blue, with n wistful, waiting look. as if-but
am anticipating my story
Hiram occupied lonely house on small
ominence overlooking the main street of the
town In which he was a prominent citizen; and
this house had como down to him as the heir
OF the third generation of Haybattles. In all
previous years 1t had been lonely house, and
soon as Hiram came into possession he deter
mined TO change its entire character, and to
mako IL the sceno of such gayeties as he could
command. Incidentally there were rumors
ahoat that the house was haunted, and the
youthful and irreverent wero won't to poke
fun at Hiram's ha'nt," and offer to 20 to the
house and sit UP OF nights with It. Possibly
there might have been strange noises around
the old house, for few houses pass through
three generations which are not entitled to'such
privileges, but Hiram never.let these small CO.
centricities disturb him. Tho house was not
for sale, neither was it for rent, and there were
moro than few persons who wound have
taken 1t Off Hiram's hands at any moment if
he had been disposed TO accept such relief.
AS rule. ghosts under these circum stances
have not much use FOR a house, and ordinar-
ily vacate it without eiectment proceedings.
Whether Hram's ghost left or remained, there
were rumors still afl at that Hiram was on
terms with a "hnnt," but IL WAS In no wise to
his discredit.
Living In the town adjoining Hiram's was
Miss Melssy Meggs woman in every way as
exemplary as was Hiram Hay battle rs q man,
and when Hiram had attained the age Of 40
wears, Miss Meggs vas 3s. But not such a
thirty eight as we are ordinarily accustomed to
Miss Moggs's thirty-ciGht. II was abso-
lutely lacking in any of the:chara ,teristics of
giddness incidental to that..time of.life among
single persons. and whenson ono Of the occa-
sions of Mr.. Havbattle's visits he came up to
her house-Miss Meggs owned a most comfort
able property. ana was correspondingly looked
up in the community, though of course, SO
exemplary a woman would have been. any
way-whistling Rory O'More." and wearing
a flower in his buttonhole. Miss Meggs was so
overcome that che felt compelled to tell the
house girl TO inform Mr.. Haybattle that Miss
Mcggs was indisposed. and would he excuse
her until after tea?
Yet Miss Meggs appreciated the sterling
qualities of Mr.. Haybattle. and she also real
lied that hers was lonely life for woman
to live when Providence had no doubt in-
tended that It should DO otherwise.
As for Hiram, he thoroughly adored Miss
Melssy. He had met her two years before he
came into possesson of his own house during
a VISIT she was making TO some friends of hers
in Hiram's town. and down deep in his hither-
to unmpressed soul there grew firm and un-
yielding determination tomake Melissy MegRs
the mistress of the Havbattle mansion as soon
it should be his. He was quite we'll aware
that Miss MeRgs was not n woman Of the world,
nor was she gay and frivolous. and because nf
the lack OF those qualities did Hiram admire
her, for hs felt oftentimes that he was rock
less and rolllckinG, and unless he were balanced
there was no telling what might happen.
A month after Hiramha moved into tho old
house he vas ready u 60 and ask Miss Meeys'to
become Mrs. Havbattle: , and he felt as bnovan,
Miss Mcrgs she lad asked him many questions
o L Or erss
about to, say as bat helor's hall, but she be.
tn0uEhc nerSelI In time, ana was saved from
the shock of such sneech
Whether Miss Meggs had ever heard of HI
rams ghost or not does not appear. but 1t is
true that she, had never referred to It in any
manner. IT is, OF course. more than likely that
she had heard of ~. for there must be some
nunity. who doesn't know everything in it, and
certainly there wasn't anything wrong with
Miss Melissy MeSes.
AS Hiram camo up the walk to her house on
this most auspicious visit Of his Miss Meggs
from 2 window watched him from the gate
~ hA ST. naI he firn vn.ith ifa
fnrioIsly wher sIo turned and caught herself
narlor looking at him. Not for the world would
Miss Melssy Meggs have had any ono know
sd MSn sRS a. 0 dons ns
which she would net f,r the world be seen do
Ing; ; she e., was ass greatly S @ sgitated 3D.. -. ~
rude shock she snw that'Hiram wore. a button
hole bouquet and blue neoktie. and she won-
dcrcd why Mr.. Haybatue was SO given to
But Hiram thought of none of these things.
His soul was ms fresh as the pink in his but
tnnholc. and his skies were as blue as his neck
tie, for was ho not on the very threshold Of tho
Fl btfs shs s1% Ss na IL all the 10 for
not have any other II there were. 1t was Me-
lissy y, MegGs e, or everlasiinE bachelorhood. and
had never intended His servant, Hiram Hay.
battle, % ,t!, to be halt alt;completed job;
The little old fashioned music box was play
ing sweet, rcposeful tune from Its place on
the SmaErbe,opped centre centre table on each side
OF which sat MISS MellBSy MeRgs and Hiram
perhaps, and It was apparent that, whereas
Hiram had originally been on one side OF the
table, his rocking chair had gradually rocked
itself around front and was slowly getting
nearer Miss Melssy, a popularity OF rocking
chairs not confined exclusively 10 this one oc-
cupel bv Hiram.
What the old house needs" Hiram was say
ing with an earncStness that hid his freckles
in asa Of crimson glory. "Is somebody to"
Miss Meggs. somewhat nervously, for she
feared and yet hoped that Hiram was going to
say something.
Hiram laughed. and pushed his chair out
In front of the table.
so yon hnvo, heard Of It. too, have you2'
have to explain how foolish it Is. or course.
you don't believe in ghOstsY"
Miss MeltSsy was nervous. ANYHOW. and
know exactly what she was doing.
II don't know as to that, Mr.. Eaybattle,"
she said DO. you really have ghost? I
could we'll understand how one or even moro
might thrive in such n big old house as yours"
This made Hiram real hilarious. so much so
that Miss Meggs showed some signs OF disap-
Only one, assure you, Miss Mellssy, only
pup hn nj all IN n