The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-03-07

side and the vines running all over the
window. BE good enough to have the
room thrown open and aired to-day.
shall occupy 1t tomorrow night
Mr. Whiting had rented the manor
house as the last occupant left it'll fur
nished. The rector It's owner, had
placed II IN the hands Of an agent I'M
mediately after the sad accident that
befell his daughter. aud bad taken the
rest Of his family abroad II had not
occurred to Mr. Whiting that the next
night was that deliciously horrible gala
night Of the sp0oks. Haliowe On.
stephens quaked 10 his shoes as he
lighted his Muster 10 the ground door
chamber at Q o'clock and the latter
turned a disappearing eye on his trem-
bling hands as the sputterlng candle
they held qulvered neryously, and the
fellow stared superstitiously into the
black gulf beyond the rays of light
When he was alone be speedily lost
himself IN his book So absorbed was
he that he did not hear Miss Writings
low rap at the door until Il was re-
pcated more emphahcally and her
voice said through the keyhole.
Arthur, II you have not yet retired.
open the door. have something for
you"
When he had obeyed he was con
fronted by his sister and a dainty tray
Of smoking pippins.
Have you clean forgotten that this
rs Hallowe'enf" prattled Miss Fiori-
mel. cheerily. "Why Art what q
sleepy head YOU are growing 70 be-.
with your everlasting books and ink
pots in your old age. I was going %
say, but 4s is young. ] am $ myself
and see how ] have to exert my facul-
ties for us both.
"You ought 20 be ashamed-we
haven't missed keeping Halloween In
az least forty-iiye years you haven't
that is I've kept Il ever since ] could
remember and There now, do
close that book. and sli down and toast
your feet by the hre and drink the ale
while it's warm. Good night dear
Mr.. Whiting blew out the candle and
pulled the curtains aside 10 let IN the
bright moonlight But the thick vine
tendrils outside. still loaded down with
their luxurious lcafage 81 crimson and
freckled gold. barred the way so that
only gleam Of silyery Hight struggled
through into the inner darkness. There
was 4 suspicious dimness IN the glass
az seen by the uncertain light too,
which suggested dust the bachelors
pet adherence. lie drew a long track
down the obscure pane with his fore
finger. Ycs. the glass wis thick with
H. lie threw up the sash. and pen
knife IA hand began the work Of de-
siructlon. In ten minutes time not n
single tendril remained cllnglng % the
window. through which food of fair
est moonlight poured. subdued d little
by the thick veil OF dust
suddenly as he fingered there look
ine ont upon the pleasant landscape.
De was conscious Of n faint. dim pro-
fle between himself and The outer
world He rubbed his eyes and looked
again intcnuy. n was gone no. the
fainiest shadow of 3 shape sfill re-
nlained. Ike a thought underlined. lie
snatchcd bis flannel penwlper on the
desk aud hastily rubbed Il over the
dusty glass. that be might see more
clearly. Then De quickly threw up the
sash ana stepped ont onto the little
porch beneath. Not q moving thing in
sight
"pshawr he muttered 10 himself.
with an impatient laugh al his folly
"has the silly tattle OF the country
turned my brain too. ! wonderT
But soon TINT unpleasant conscious
ness % a mysterious presence intruded
on the would-be sleeper again this
time strongly. With low exclamation
OF disgust "a himself aud everything N
general. De raised himself upon his e.
hox and looked toward the window.
with difficulty restraining q positive
start as be did So Tor. clearer than be-
fore. it appeared agaln-a distinct face
and figure apparently standing just
outside the window pane. ln a position
sldewise % him.
Mr Whiting could not have de-
scribed it. so unreal was the experience.
even while rs spell was on. He leaned
a little forward 70 see the eyes. Were
they opcnf Only on the faces Of
sleeping children was that expression
of utter Oblivion % b. seen. This was
nos the face of child. but that OF
Young maiden.
"Ill see how long this thing viii
last" quoth Nr whiting. grimly. to
himself. III She can stand Il out there
in the cold with thin frock on.
can stand q iu here. Wen see who'll
give 90 first"
Fixing himself comfortably. Mr
Whiting glued his wide.awake eyes
upon the serene profile and waited. Yet
through she slow hours Of the night
that sphinx never moved.
The cheerful voice ~ a distant chan
ticlcer ushered In the gray dawn. Lu-
mas sickly paiior mingled with it. dis
solved into it yielded itself up to anni-
hiiafion. and ID was day For q brief
haifhour AR whiting yielded 90 tired
Natures demands and tUrnd When