The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-09-08
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The Family Specter
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hDY JOVE, Gordon, I don't know


Amy Hepburn's happiness is dear to
me; in fact, came here tonight to tell
you that love her"
''To tell mel" broke in Gordon; "why
don't you tell her?"
"Wait, can't you? Let me finish.
have told her and she declined me. 1t
was very gently and with the greatest
possible regard for my feelings, but
nevertheless l was declined. Don't
think me fool because l come here and
make confession which can be moth
ing less than notifying. I'm doing it
for Amy's sake"
For Amy's sake" echoed Gordon.
"Yes; l want to see her happy, and
you are the man to make her so She
declined me On your account. Of course
knew long ago that you were my rival,
but l did not know until two hours since
that you were the successful one. You
aren't worthy of her and don't deserve
her, but don't think for moment that
l believe myself more worthy or more
deserving" Pausing suddenly, Fair
leigh walked to his friends side and
laid a hand on his shoulder. Il can't
understand what you mean by leading
Amy to believe that you care for her,
while all the time dividing your atten-
tions with Nell Forthdyke. Would you
be inhuman enough to break heart as
loyal as Amy's?"
Don't be tragic, Tom. I'm not 60
ing to break anybody's heart. Nell is
rich, you know"
"And so are you," sneered Fairleigh,
walking hurricdly to the door and lay
ing his hand on the knob, but Amy
Hepburn is poor. Society dares you to
we'd with poverty. If you love Amy,
are you man enough to take the dare :?
Examine into the financial condition
of the Hepburns, reflect upon the cause
of their downfall in fortune and then
let me see if you are strong enough to
leap this Brahminical barrier of cast"
With this parting shot Fairleigh
passed quickly out of the room and
slammed the door behind him. Harry
Gordon gave vent to long whistle, set
tied himself back in his chair and
thoughtfully lighted cigar.
THAT was quite "A jolt" he muttered,
looking upward through the curling
wreaths of smoke. "'How happy l
could be with either were t'other dear
charmer away!' It's as sure as can be
that l love one and fancy the other, but
who will unravel the Gordian knot?
Which is it to be-Amy or Nell?"
A knock fell on the door-not on the
outside door, but on a door leading into
a closet. Harry Gordon stirred uncom-
fortably in his chair, veXcd look COM
ing into his eyes as he fixed them upon
the closet door. After brief interval
of silence the knock was repeated.
''Now, what in the world aroused
you?" cried Gordon.
business is business" came hollow
voice from the other side of the closet
door. I'm here for purpose, and if
l do not make that purpose manifest
once in awhile you'lls'orget all about
me-"
This remark was followed by a clank-
ing cachinnatory outburst that seemed
to CRATE harshly on Gordon's ear.
"Well what do you want?" he asked.
II want to come out and show my
self. You know I'm here, but a little
ocular demonstration won't come
amiss, l take it. Remember, I'm show
kicked open this door and stalled out
into the room. But didn't. raped"
Cant you put it off? Come out to-
morrow. I've got something else to
think about now"
The high and mighty order of fam
lily skeletons are not in the habit of
playing second fiddle or taking back
seats for anybody. I'm coming out at
once"
''All right, them" groaned Gordon.
squaring himself about in his chair.
"Come on"
The closet door few open and a we'll
developed skeleton strobe out and
| dropped with a rattle into chair. The
cavernous eyes were blankly expressive
to Gordon. For him, also, there was
something sarcastic in the grin of the
fleshless jaws.
"Dust me off," said the skeleton. 81
want to show up as frightful as pos
sible tonight"
The request presented itself to Cor
don as a command, which he was pow
erless to disobey. Picking up feather
duster, he piled it vigorously above the
cleaning white bones.
"A-choo!" he sneezed, dropping the
duster and falling into his chair.
You ought not to neglect me-" said
the skeleton. I'm one of the family
and should be treated as such. Now,
then, let's have q chat"
The skeleton crossed his bony legs
and settled back comfortably.
''Will it do me any good to have a
chat with you?" queried Gordon.
THAT remains to be seen. 1t used to
do your father good. Why. it was my
custom to visit him every night. AS he
sat before that table there, writing, I'd
sneak out of that closet, come quietly
up behind him and put an arm caress-
ingly about his neck" The skeleton
laughed, working his bony jaws with
a succession of cracking sounds that
made Gordon shiver. "IIow it used to
startle him! He would turn white as
a sheet as he looked up into my face.
Once he sprang to his feet in dcspera-
tion and we had wrestle all about
the room, overturning chairs, tables
and everything else that came In our
way"
"1ou succeeded well in shortening
my fathers life" returned Gordon.
fcIn Ia I