Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-01-07

himself within whose experience no
such smile has ever come The
smile as gaZcd grew more moslHls.
Il thoroughly boliev" you now"
/ cried, writing under its umusC-
ment, and moreover impcllCd by
polite desire to make the amends
honorable for having doubted the
word of my guest.
The smile vouchsafed no response,
and | became uneasy.
"WOu't you please como back I" I
pleaded ncrvously -"thr rest of
you, Inoan. Still there camc no
sign.
1T WI, y ~ embarrassing, your
disappearing 80 suddenly, when YOU
had promised to disappear grad
ually," l continued, my uncasinCss
changing to irritation: Il can't talk
to II smile by itself Let mo at least
have your ears, to be sure that you
can hear me.
The words We're hardly out of my
mouth before the whole burglar sat
again on the window sill.
"Thank you I said, relieved.
"Don't mention il. said the bur
glar, II hope l didn't make the
smile too weak. forgot that you
were not used to the night like me -
Not at all, answered. Il only
wish that l could smile as well at
afternoon teas when l want TO dis
appear.
Tho burglar-or rather the ghost,
as it would now be polite to call
him-sccmed pleased. He smiled
again that smile which l knew so
we'll, as the story books say.
You flatter me, he replied. 1T
an accomplishment that any ghost
can learn, though most of them neg
lect it-not but that they have
time enough" a panied look swept
across his features.
felt the delicacy of the situation
and changed the subject
"Would You mind telling me why
you pretended to be a burglar2"
asked
He laughed. 1t was just for fun
People lattcrly had taken to receiv-
ing mdc coldly and skcptically as a
ghost, and it hurt my feelings. Bur
glars arc always believed in"
Then you are not the ghost of n
burglari' lqueried
mo. | was II lawyer-a distin-
guished lawyer, | may say, of some
time ago. My name is Symonds,
and you probably remember that
was counsel for the plaintiff in the
celebrated Mitflin- marlborough di-
vorce trial, shortly before my death
Now that am found out, | suppose
l ought to appear i'll my proper
clothes He glanced down Mt his
suit i'll II shamefaced way. The
truth is i have become 80 accustom.
ed to these old burglar buds that
wear them most of the time"
Il am no stickler for etiquette at
this time of night, | said, waving
my hand in a deprccHting way. I
had become strangely interested in
the gentleman and reached down to
the chair at my bedside for my note
book and pencil, which always lie
there for ideas that may come dur
ing the night. Holding the NOE
book in the bar of moonshine at
the edge of my pillow, began to
jot down n few incidents of our con-
versation.
What are you doing2" asked the
ghost.
Just taking down few of your
remarks, answered.
May / inquire what for3"
I'm n reporter" l said, laying
down my pencil, for it occurred to
me that he might not know of all
our modern innovations. 1T is true
that / am at home, temporarily out
of a job, but l should like to work
up special article, if you don t
mind, of an interview with you"
The ghost looked puzzled and a
little alarmed, yet not altogether
displeased. He uncroSscd his legs
and sat up straight, precnin9 him
self, as a man of fashion does,
smoothing his hair and putting his
hand to his cravat And when
looked at him again he WAS no longer
dressed III his burglar clothes, but
In the most picturesque old velvet
suit, embroidered in white. with
knee hrrCrhcs, silk stockings on his
we'll turned legs and powdered
wig.
Tn" change did not surprise me,
though | WAS u little amazed to find
SO much vanity still residing III one
who could hardly expect our fin de
steele TO take him seriously, at least
by daylight. made Il note, however,
of his distinguished appearance,
for / have noticed III my profession
that that is the most important part
OF an interview, as far as the person
interviewed is concerned. Then
came to my leading question:
Twill you please tell the readers
of the - q will fill in the
name when / have sold the article)
why you do not rest i'll your grave
but haunt2"
Sir" he shouted Indignantly
"You have no right to ask such a
question. 1t is no affair of yours. "
Mr.. Symonds, answered re-
spectfully, but with dignity, Il am
not asking this to satisfy my own
curiosity. For me it sutfices that
you do haunt and do come here at
an hour which for any one not in