The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-22
Ilnrnariss she heard her mother calling

the door, why, where Ia Sam7 thought
you would mako him stay to lunch"
mo. mother; he didn't give mo .
chance. He just popped In and out again
don't care, I'm sure"
The last remark was spoken only han
aloud as Myrtle brushed past her mother
and ran up the stairs.
But meanwhile Sam Catlin was walk
ing at a good, brisk. high-tempered rate
in the direction OF his brothers office.
He could have reached that destination
I'm half the time by taking car, but he
wanted to walk-indeed. he would have
made a public and undignined spectacle
OF himself just then IL he had tried 10
sit still in a street car, for he was
nervous man, and his feelings, when ex-
cited, were apt to show themselves undeP
pressure OF physical inaction by various
outward contortions calculated 10 attract
general attention
He did. however, manage 10 arrive az
the office only ten minutes after Barney
had gone out to lunch. 80, guided by the
Instructions of the office boy he made OF
for the restaurant where Barney was ac-
customed to eat.
Sans two weeks stay at home had
begun only two days before this, and he
had not yet shaken hands with all thu
people he knew there, and who were sap
posed to be glad 10 see him again after
years absence. Many such passed him
as he stalked through the street to
the restaurant, but he was In no mood
for greetings and only returned curt, hur-
ried mods At last. as he pushed tho
swinging door open. slim, enasmio
young man. with a toothpick in the left
corner OF his mouth and a cigarette in
the right. was all but toppled over By
Sans momentum.
where the devil" Sam began.
THAT YOU. SamY" the anaemio young
man interrupted him. saving his hat with
one hand and his cigarette with the
other It was Myrtle Brooks edoring
cousin, Webby.
ooh. how-de-do," Sam said, hurriedly.
beg pardon. Glad 10 see YOU"
And he went in, leaving Webby to looh
for his toothpick on the rubber mat.
whats got into you, Sam? Barney
asked. as Sam violently occupied tina
chair opposite. you nearly ran over
poor Webby didn't you? Here. take the
bin of fare"
Sam took up the bill OF faro and looked
at Il mechanically.
whats the matter with me7 HIM.
Question is. what's the matter with him.
Can't see where he's going. Smokes too
many cigarettes. HIM Croquettes any
good2 He's as pale as a"
And there Sam suddenly dropped the
bill Of fare and stared dumby at the pep
per box and the ketchup bottle.
His brother looked up quietly, too busy
satisfying his own hunger TO pay much
attention. "Pale?" he said. Yes. Have
some croquettes. Where have you been2"
Sam grunted "croquettes" TO the waiter
and continued to stare az the condiments.
% 81 lie
stopping long enough TO remark. You
did need rest. Sam. That's fact. Yes.
you are pale"
No reply Sam was beginning the mo-
tons appropriate 10 making a lunch on
chicken croquettes.
Presently that abominable smoker or
Barney's began TO be in evidence.
by the way" re said. did you ma
out anything about Myrtles ghost?"
Sam laid down his knife and fork
Look here Barney" he said. II don't
want to have any unpleasantness In my
own family. Yes, I have found out about
1T. Now. please don't tell me anymore
about that ghost. I've had quite enough"
The smoker was gone. Barney was star
ing wide-eyed at his brother. After ST.
lence OF minute or more, wishing to
smooth over the unpleastantness. he ask
ed. How are tho croquettes?"
Sam ate but one OF those dalnties. Tie
walked out OF the restaurant with his
brother but they parted at the door or
the law office, and Barney walked Up
the stairs. chuckling and mutterins 70
himself, LORD deliver me from these low
ers."
Sam Catlin went home and straightway
wrote as follows:
MY Dear Miss Brooks.-I have 10 apol-
o~fz 30 10 o,1
BILE curiosity this morning. I acknowledge
that you have given me no right TO iAslst
upon explanations OF any kind from you.
Please 10 pardon this indscretion OF mine
and forget II. as well as all that may
have gone before &. and led up 10 ~.
by accident, 1 have found the answer
TO the question with which I offended
you.
VERY sincerely your friend and WELL
wisher. SAMUEL CATLIN."
The answer came next day:
MY Dear Mr. Samuel Catlin.-I hasten
10 say that your apology is sincerely ac-
cepted. 1 must also ask you 20 forgive
my outburst OF temper.
1T IS incomprehensible to me how you
can have found out the answer 20 your
question by accident. Your brother. Mr..
Catlin I believe, and your mother, I
think. both know the story OF what they
have taken delight in calling my ghost
Ii happened more than month ago,
when you were III in Nebraska.
Mrs Catlin is quite az liberty 10 tell
YOU all you wish 20 know about it,
That was as far as Sam read. lie wens
and demanded an explanation OF his
mother.
.sVhv. Sam" Mrs. Catlin laughed. 1T
would have thought Myrtle would have
told you all about that herself l know
she scared the wits out OF me at the time
sending round here at 10 o'clock al
night TO ask II / had any news OF you.
You 20 and ask her. She'll tell you"
sam. in his impetuous way. rushed 20
ATyrtle's homo and found her in tho
garden.
you deserve no, 70 be told a WORD
she said. very severely. You made such
a donkey OF yourself Sam-you were III
away out there-and one night, when I
was sitting playing the piano-the sere-
made. YOU now-Schuberts-I thought I
heard YOU whistle that part where the
nightingale comes Unjust as you used
to-(sobs here). And just then Panka
gave one OF his little sudden barks (more
sobs) and I thought you were standing
behind me"-(sobs and confusion anc
kisses.
Then I'm your ghost. darling7"
Myrtles face was smothered against as
solid a chest as any ghost could reasons
ably envy.
Now. Myrtle. don't call me an iGot