The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-10-04

two gripsacks would permit, and had come
down stairs. with her heart steeled to meet
other women in full dress. But she found
none to dispute with in her glory Of being
the Dest-dressed woman in sight. and by
natural transition had passed from the
dressing theory to the ghost hypothesis to
account for the desertion around her
As they entered the hotel ONCE on their
change had taken place since their previous
visit A clerk stood behind the desk, another
seemed busy over his books a row of uni
formed peil boys sat on BENCH and the
eyes OF all were turned full upon the man and
the woman.
ITS worse than ghosts. whispered the
woman. Why DO they glare SO at us?''
ls-er-supper ready?" asked the man.
The words produced an unexpected result
fne clerk banged the bell, the row Of bell
boys jumped up as one to show the way, an
orchestra burst into action with q crash, and
an ancient, melancholy head waiter In rusty
black habiliments threw open great double
doors and ushered them into the dining room.
II tne motel mad seemed big from the out
side, the dining room seemed bigger. 1t
looked as IL 1t ought to be measured by the
acre rather than by ordinary standards. Great
electric lights blazed, the table linen glist-
enedr the silver and glass sparkled pleasant
faced Mattresses, with rudy cheeks fresh
from farm life and attired in crisp white
dresses. lowered about; the orchestra thund-
cred and sighed and rippied and triumphed
In gallery; but otherwise the room was
empty There was to be had white, haky
d
delicate brown; purple BURBERRY cake that
melted in the mouth, and all the other deli
cacies that Maine offers to visitors. But the
solitude was toe much for the appetite Of
the man and the woman.
The rooms too big, said the man finally
pushing away his plate half filled 1T takes
away my appetite. Let's get out.
They got up. At this the mattresses gath
cred in group and whispered. The ancient
head waiter approached them with an anx-
ious face. The orchestra slowed up and a
nPure
kitchen t;hsn ..u.s,n uoru, ., =. ...o. s..o.,
lessly
Would you like something else cooked?"
asked the head waiter. wringing his hands
WAS the music too loud?" asked the leader
of the orchestra.
The man explained hurriedly that he wasn't
feeling hungry, and hurried out. In the hall
some men were waiting to accost him.
like to go driving I'll be glad to let you have
the best turnout at quarter price, because
were not very busy just now"
all my boats are not engaged, I can let you
have one cheap II you would like to go sail
ing
"I'm dealer In curiosities" said third
"and If you are interested in such things.
you may be glad to know that I'm selling off
at a sacrifice
The man thanked them and went out upon
the piazza. The orchestra seemed to follow
them from the dining room, and walled and
sobbed and groaned In the drawing room be-
hind them. Somehow the night seemed less
vast than that great empty dining room.
What place for ghosts this would be-"
said the woman. returning to her theory
Now" said the man mournfully when
was here last this piazza was packed with
the prettiest girls and the finest fellows you
ever saw
May be they're ghosts about US now,'
said the woman with SILVER.
IF they are ghosts, returned the man, II
don't blame them for wanting to come back
when think of the gay times we used to
have here; but for human beings
Hush exclaimed the woman. What
was that?'
1t was still and lonely and big that al
most any noise was capable of seeming I'M
canny. They could hear in the darkness a
rustling, shutting, wheeling sound. Out
from the shadows somewhere came a call of
Lady! LADY," and then they saw emerge
from the darkness into the light the ancient
head waiter.
Would the lady like to see the ballroom?'
he asked.
Are there any people in it," asked the
man in return. Live Ones l mean
The head waiter led the way down the long