The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1899-07-14

I Until We met face to face in a crowded
street l had not known OF Ben being

We mad been friends until our walks IN
! life widened apart. lie became an archi-
,ect and decorator and l had chosen medi-
cine.
When the cab stopped before handsome
house and Ben sprang out | was silent with
amazcment. He led me through halls and
MONS that seemed old and grand TO my
American eyes. and then closed the door
Of coy den and we were alone.
"Why. Ben, old fellow, you must have
struck it rich" ! veniured, and he looked
at me, paling Little.
Haven't you hoardy" he asked.
Not word since the old man was cut up
/ IN tie wreck, and Dan Ward, being the next
/ Of kin, came IN for the fortune that should
have been yours" replied, heatatingly.
! knowing what blow all this had been TO
Ben.
lie laughed softly, and ms hands moved in
the old, restless way had 20 often noticed
when he had something important to tell me.
"You came away before i took the con-
tract 70 restore the old place." he said.
Yes" | answered. with something like
a gasp Had they added insult TO injury!
Had they dared
AT first the offer hurt me, and then the
man in me gave way 10 what you used to
call the artistic instinct. Hadn't | been
thinking Of its possibilities all these years."
but TO do il for another man--for him,
Benz | interrupted.
"Well, he really couldn't help II, you
know though 1t was not until later that l
was able to take that philosophical view Of
it. II was only that / loved Lakewood too
well to have it spoiled, and-I wanted TO
get away from the city, for Dolly's father
well, he liked Lakewood and all that goes
with it, and 50 Dan, and not ]. was in high
favor with him.
1T was hard when you have had every
reason to expect it for your own per-
sisted.
Eyes, but there was the bigger trouble
using me up be said, smiling softly.
He sat still them still, except those rest
less hands; slender and white as a woman's
they were and knew by their moving that
Bens story was hard one for him to tell.
you don't believe in ghosts-in the re
turn OF the d.sembodied spirit, do you,
Dick:"
"WeN. no, Ben. ! suppose am material.
My profession"
''But you'll believe my story" lie looked
up with his sweet, calm smile.
Certainly | will Am to hear il now"
He glanced at the clock. Yes. I'll ted
you now before Dolly comes"
Dolly"
.'You have the last Of the story first The
married and happy ever after you know.
Well, you see we went down to Lakewood,
and the men lived at the village hotel But
put up at the old place with CASTOR and
Hannah 10 take care Of me Poor old things.
Over and over they described the horrible
scene TO me. ! had only reached home in
time for the funeral. YOU know, and for the
the will, which could not be found.
"For year, whole year. worked, never
once growing tired Of the exquisite woods,
metals and fabrics y year and the ann
vcrsary OF my adopted fathers death was
at hand. All. the place was a wonder OF
beauty now.
1T happened that / was at work in the
old mans room, the long one along the
. south wing. IL was midnight, and | was
busy with my drawings. Now and then a
splash Of rain came with the wind through
the window. and the light, the only one in
the room, flickercd and cast strange shad-
; ows on NY papers.
Il had measured the wall and was turn
ing away when something on the pillow
caught my eye. and stood still. Ny blood
froze as the horror of it came upon ne, and
my feet were like lead.
"On the pillow lay the head OF Mr. Guth-
RE. The fine. grim old face with its in-
scrutable eyes and thin lips, the brow and
shining white hair-all tiss, but the head
only--ihe head severed from body that I
did not see.
II heard voice, low. sobbing voice, but
my soul was faint with sickening fear, and
did not hear the words. ] staggered to q
chair my fascinated ewes on the face that
y. Il. - L..
eyes were alive. ] could not hear if there
, We're words The light on the table lckered
and went out and | was alone with that.
Hannah came with the coffee always
have at midnight when | am at work. She
rehghied my lamp and moved it out OF the
draft. | glanced at the bed. There was
, nothing on the pillow. Hannah looked
! sharply at me and went away. swallowed
? the black coffee, and went over to the table
, where my work lay.
Presently, as | sat listening, heard a
slow, hating step. | knew the sound a
hcsitating. heavy step-the step Of an old
: man whose feet are tired Of earth's ways.
turned my head. and | saw crossing thu
: room the lower limbs Of a mantle feet and
, legs to the knees. They were going from
me.
. Near the wall at the side Of the bed
they stopped. a fash Of lightning dazzled
me. and when | looked again they were
(, gone. but turned toward me were pair Of
arms. long, shaking arms and slender yell
low hands. floating slowly, slowly across me.
, i felt them on my face. the cold. clammy
c fingers. the icy palms. ] felt them draw me
, from my scat and on to the wall at the side
OF the bed.
"And then | saw them move doubtfully.
:. carefully over the dark panels with the hes
itating. uncertain motion that belongs to
: old people when sensation has grown dull.
II was numb with horror, but | stood
there quaking like dying thing, and felt
e my own hands lifted and saw them move
Y over the panels. guided by those other hands.
1 And panel moved, and heard a rustic as
? OF old papers, and thud. and then sank
, down and down to-
For days was dead TO things Of earth.
But at last began to be able to trace Dolly .
face in the darkness that developed me- and
her voice was the first | heard. II was sha
who held my hands one day when was bet.