The times., 1897-03-28

ject further, but began to state his bnsi
| ness. He was delighted when Mrs. Jinks
declared her Willingness to take him as q
boardcr, while he secured the country with
| his patent.
The first night under the cottage roof
| he awakened suddenly to behold the ghost
| pcrched in his old position at the foot Of
| the bed.
We'll, what now" growled the sharp.
| shooter. Cant you let me sleep night
| In pcace?'
Il just want to know how you are COM
ing on, responded the ghost.
We'll enough So far; but | tell you it's
going to be slow business breaking the
news of that coalfield TO her. said VIII
kins.
why so?' asked the ghost.
Why? Because she has got to have
faith in me before she believes such n
| story
We'll, hurry up with it, said the
ghost, and get away, for Li2beth hates
to have man botherinG around.''
Days passed wilkins had wonderful
| luck selling his washing machine, and en-
| ioyed life more and more every day. Al
ways busy; in his odd moments he fixed
up things about the house and yard, until
| Mrs. Frcesner declared he was god
send. and confded to Mrs. Jinks that 1T
was a sight for sore eyes to have such u
| fine looking man about.
The disclosure of the C oal field had almost
slipped Wilkins $ mind. Every night he
! and the two women sat on the little front
porch. and Wilkins told all sorts OF WIZ
anecdotes; but never once did he mention
Jinks, nor did the widow inquire concerning
him. This state of affairs continued almost
a month until, one night, wilkins found the
ghost waiting him in his room.
"I'd like to know what all this delay
means?" he raspcd out anGrily.
I'm going TO tell her tomorrow night,
said wilkins with sudden resolution.
We'll see that you do" said the ghost
'or I'll appear to YOU when you are
with Lizbeth, and scare you out of your
senses"
'.Boshi'' said wilkins.
The next night came. 1t was moonlight,
alone on the porch.
Mrs Freesner has gone TO the village
for little while" she explained.
j
droppin ON the steps at her feet There S
something I've wished TO tell YOU, he
continued hut it's discovery I've made
and can he told to You alone"
Mrs Jinks' hands frightened their clasp
on one another She looked at wilkins,
but ne sat prodding into the ground with
u little stick
ut is Just this, =" said he, speaking with
t,Il- ,,~f. -,
her so near ana her dark eyes so soft
and luminous. Well, it's Just this, =" ne
reneatcd, I've discovered that there's
coal OH tins land, here right under yonr
house, and if you have not the means To
make the Investigation. | suggest that
YOU let me advance the necessary capital
and share the proceeds. What do you
think?''
Mrs. Jinks Strengthened herself.
How do you know that there is coal?''
she asked, rather frigidly, as wilkins
thoug hit.
why, your husband told me his suspi-
cionS about it: but meant to make sure
that his idea was correct before telling
you"
You are more than kind. III go in
now and think IL over" said Mrs. Jinks,
rising But, with a sudden movement,
wilkins reached up. caught her hands and
drew her to the chair again.
I've discovered something else" said
he, actually trembling.
Mrs jerks could not speak, but she looked
at him, ard something in Der eyes gave en-
couragement to go on.
I've discovered that YOU are the one
woman in the world, LiZbeth; will you
prove it to ule?'
Still she sat silent: but her whole face
was eloquent. and WilHnS, moving up
the steps. knelt beside the chair with his
arms around her
After n time he said, Let us go North
for my mother must know YOU, and While
we are gone, Lizheth. we will have new
house built in the village Then we Will
begin work on the coal field; but now that
You know that it exists, feel easier, for
l know that Mr.. jerks will restin peace"
He was always resting, anyway
said Mrs jerks softly.
That night the ghost came again. well
did you tell her, he asked eagerly.
Yes, l have told her" said John Will
kins, land she is very happy"
That's good, that's good said the
ghost, "and I'm obliged to you for your
trouble, though ! don't see bow you could
have done much less.
I've done my best answered wilkins.
We'll" said the ghost Of William Jinks,
now that it s done, you can go North again
and I'll keep Lizbeth company. She can't
see me. of course, but ii will gladden. her
poor lonely heart to feel me near, as sort
of an invisible presence. How soon can
YOU leave? Not that | wish TO lie inhos-
pitable. but still, this house is mine, and l
may as well tell you that | have made
arrangements to take up my abode here
permanently; so, the sooner you get away,
the better"