The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-12-07
A FELoNIous GHOST.


steps take. especially if he marres girl who
loves him. makes him object of her exis
tence. and Harand had been secure such
wife His eerkshp enabled him TO live COM
fortably something anticipation OF that
rainy day which is inevitable the household
Both he his wife the society Of the
pleasant they lived having musical tastes
and their evenings never dragged. Lefty Harand was
mere than satisfied with the home her husband had
given her and yetand yetnto this domestic Eden en-
tered the spirit of discomfort
The cloud that darkened their sky was larger than
hand. appeared their horizon and its
glooming shape botted the sunshine Edgar Har-
land wanted to possess automobile
If he wanted the moon his wife could not have been
more surprised-she did Edgar had sport
ing proclyities-and she in fatal perspective
demon of destruction running down the populaee and
her husband arrested by the of the law.
She good in arithmetic, but somehow she
managed to put figures together summing up the
present future expense of such luxury and Edgar
was convinced against her WILL and up the deiusive
dream.
But he suIked n his mind grew morose and acted
if some personal slight had been put upon him Then
he began to absent himself from until night
early morning lost his appetite. and grew bag
gard When Lefty pleaded with him he was working
overtime at the bank. a while she believed him.
she heard of his being on the cars re-
turning from city dark and of nocturnal
suburb when she believed him at the
bank she knew that husband deceiving her
She q friend in the city, in whom she had
absolute faith, asked her to spend day or two
with Then she laid the whole matter before her
waited the sympathy and good judgment winch
never yet had failed straighten out a difficulty
Mary Complin listened and was puzzled Lefty as
sured her neither drank gambled
and she secuted the idea that any woman was mixed
up affair But whatever it the mystery must
be solved, would ultimately wreck Edgar's reason
OF that she felt convinced
Perhaps really is employed at extra work, sug-
gested her friend give him the benefit of the
doubt"
But what kind of work?" urged Lefty, Il told
that he has been seen on the streets here by people
lie has
clothes in his home and 1 them
THE easiest way would have been to ask him, re-
peating what you have heard"
attempted it, but the look his face frightened
me. / would speak of it again for worlds
Mary Compin changed the subject by remarking that
she herself would soon be a resident of the suburb.
Father Compln has bought house-or taken one
in exchange for other property-and Harry and
coming here live if like the location You
know we have often planned it,
Where the hoGse2" asked Lefty indiferently She
felt friend could be interested in anything
but her affairs at that moment.
1T is a large old fashioned place the edge
prairie; a street called Maple avenue here?"
YES. That must be the old Locker place. There
is story about it-perhaps have heard-that
killed himself there?"
his ghost haunts the place. The property sold
for a song that account You win how will
lay that ghost I've quite desire tackle such i'm
papable thing"
ing to be hippant but with heavy heart She had not
told Edgar that she expected her friend and,
usual. he did not come home. If only Mary Complin
could talk with him she felt sure that some light would
penetrate this dark veil mystery which had shut
their happiness.
When Mrs. Complin suggested to walk to
house which she interested her motive
the time, for she by Letty's drawn face she
weary with waiting 1t clear moonlight night
and she suggested that they might Edgar the
way Arrived at the place they could just discern
dark and gloomy building far back the
1T certainly does look ghostly" said Mary Complin
laughing Harry told I would get the key
Will you wait here?"
Lefty chung TO her friend and together they
sought The elderly who handed it them
said she thought the place might be occupied she
had lights there. Mary her questioning look
which evoked the remark:
Some do say it's ghosts but 7 don't believe in any
such nonsense. The lights real human lights
Tramps, like enough"
Which would be much worse than ghosts" supple
mented Mary. she towards the haunted
As the grated in the lock and the sound started the
echoes in the empty house Lefty felt a sudden
dread and wished she had Then she stood
the Threshold of direful which nearly
concerned herself she could not knows to know
only a long day AS the door swung open a
curious of light shot the floor inside and
disappeared
'IIumph The house seems to have tenants-that
moonlight"
whispered Lefty. there is some one in that
room"
She pointed a under which the same quisering
Of light which they entering hickered aud
faded Her friend stood for moment undecided. That
strange shiveTing thrill which Lefty at
the entrance had caught her But she did lose her
wits.
Tramps," she said. speaking Lettys ear. GO back
to the house next door and bring lights help I will
wait here"
Then Mary Compln did daring thing She approach
the door the which pushed
suddenly OPEN Presoience may aided her
she expected the moonlight in empty room.
possibly stealing roof for his suinbers What
a pale. almost spectral wearing some
strange working apparel standing revolver
in his extended hand.
You Edgar Harland'
so Lefty you my tracks.
Her eyes were enumeratag the contents that
small room She turned him with fury
Il see she said. facing him fearIessly pointing
the teltale details Of his If you going to
anyone II yourself Edgar Hariand
feiter feIon the government detectives
looking this moment
Ny God. DO they know-does she know Mary. for
heavens sake tell me-ard save me. II you can
Give that revolver
He handed her with a shaking bandit in-
stantly turned upon him.
Down on your kreest Swear 70 destroy every
tee q your she pointed shin-
ing heaps OF silver the tools she mods whole
nefarious outfit she does know. and never SHAH
Know Il you swear she IS coming-guck.
swear.
Mary net Lefty the door with reinforcement she
vas white and rigid the moonlight. bat she s@at
them away with guick excuse. and locked the door