New-York tribune., 1897-08-22
NEW-YORK TRIBUNE ILLUSTRATED SUPPLEMENT-

Seeing it was useless to do anything but
humor him. / did as he asked me. He seated
himself opposite on the sofa. and when ne
spoke he toyed aimlessy with the rugs ana
blankets
"Now. West" said tell me all about it.
No humbug, you know"
He glanced fearfully around.
''Do you think we are alone? he asked.
"Td stake my last dollar on it." ! replied.
West leaned forward.
you're wrong" he whispered, hoarsely
"Kcsalrs here"
don't know whether it was the grewsome-
ness of the thought or the mans way OF say
ing it that affected me, but felt cold shver
run down my back.
Nonsense, West" l said, after a moments
pause; you mustn't get ideas like that into
your head. You ought not to have kept TINS
room on you brood too much
He got up from the sofa and stood over me
with the unearthy light in his eyes.
Il tell you. Bethel. Kelsalls here. Don't
contradict me-" he SAID Gerccly. Then he re-
sumed his seat
] saw it was no good irritating him, went
'Wen. I'll take your word for it, West. But
why should YOU be unhappy, If 1t Is so. You
liked Kelsal better than any other man
He sat there, lingering the rugs. HIS iace
twitched spasmodically, and he stared at the
wall behind me. At last he spoke:
'Tn tell YOU. Bethel think | should go
mad if | kept it to myself any longer you
never looked upon ne as a likely believer IN
ghosts. did you?'
mo. You always seemed matter of fact
enough"
West laughed harshly
$50 l was. till Kelsall died. DO you know
man. loved him. / would have died for him
when hc' was living; now | hate the very
thought of him. but | am literally dying for
him to-day. Curse him.
He Kissed out the last words. and then sat
glowering at the dead fire, seemingly uncoh-
sciouS of my presence.
eco on. West" said at length; I'm wait
ing"
He looked up dazcdly then passed his hand
over his forehead as if to gather his thoughts.
you were speaking of Kelsall," | said.
yes yes; | remember lie died in this room
on this very sofa. and | alone was with him.
In his last days. when he knew he was going, we
discussed the future and | begged him To come
back t. me from the grave. He promised, ana
he made me swear by all | held sacred that
when he came would do MS bidding swore
and he has come.
Again he glanced furtiveIy round the room
"You have seen him. then. and spoken to
him." | asked.
mo. have neither seen him nor spoken
to him"
Then how in the name Of fortune do you
know he is hcre?'
West sprang W.
'Know he is here. man." pointing to the lit,
ter Of copy the table. "Know h. Is here?
There's evidence for YOU. Do YOU see that pile
Of typed stuff? Every word of it was written
to-day by Kelsall."
lie was mad-stark nal: could not doubt it.
Yet possibly might do something TO restore his
reason.
How do YOU make that out, West" said as
calmly as | could If you have never seen him?
lie was now quite composed. and resumed his
old seat.
1T was about n month after Kelsalls death
he went on. that first knew IT, was working
at the TYPEWRITER which he had left To me. max
ing out my first notice of the academy for The
Pioneer Feeling thirsty. | got up for drink.
/ walked across to the sidcboard there. and while
was standing 10y it, click,' click went the type
writer | turned around amazed. and there were
the letters dotting down one after the other, just
as though some one was working ii. | tell you