Sunday Washington globe., 1902-03-16

until I found the matches. but after using
nearly half of them, had to give it up for
the horrid thing would not light"
My wife stole a look at me across the
table, when / assured Miss Wells, that
would attend 10 the matter after breakfast
I had a dread feeling as if things we're
coming TO a crisis, and would have given
a great deal TO have been able to solve the
mystery of the Internal affair.
We had another enjoyable time this eveu-
ing out under the trees, as we had had on
the previous one, and none were anxious to
retire when the time came to do so.
~ do hope that we won't hear those
horrible things again to night, said my
wife when we got inside, they will drive
me mad, " she added, "if they keep up much
longer"
told her l earnestly hoped that we
would be able to spend that night free from
the terrible annoyance, but was not san
guiue at all in regard to my hopes
was aroused this night by a vigorous
pounding over my ceiling, and coming
from the room occupied by the two young
ladies' Quickly jumping out of bed and
throwing open my room door. shouted
out What's the trouble?"
we are so dreadfully frightened"
screamed both ladies', and for Gods sake
come up to US"
I hasteued up to their room, and in re-
sponse to my cry they both appeared, look
ing terribly excited. Calming them as best
as was able, brought them down into my
ROOM and had just re-locked the door when
a startling knock, followed by the cooks
voice pleading to be allowed to enter
caused me to again open il. The other girl
was with her and they were a very badly
scared pair of females. And here is where
my troubles began; 6rst one woman would
go into Mysteries, and then another would
follow, and just as they we're recovering
some one else would try the game. 1t
seems that they had all heard the same
noises we ourselves had heard on the other
two nights. We sat up the rest of the night
and have no wish to ever spend another
such one, for between the hysterical women
I was completely played out, when the
bright dawn of day found its way into the
room.
We had hasty breakfast, as the young
ladies wished to take the first train into the
city and while they went upstairs to get
their things together the servants informed
me of their intention to leave had ex-
pected this all the morning, and was not
surprised at their action. I asked them to
stay the day out which would give me a
chance to think up plan of action. hated
TO give the place up after having gone to
such an expense about it, and then to be
chased away by ghosts. this seemed to me
to be the very essence of cowardice. Hang
it ALL" exclaimed. as paced up and down
the gravelled walk, IF had good man to
back me, a man that could depend upon.
! would ssoon get at the bottom of this
damnable mystery" This set me a think.
ing of the men knew, both good and bad,
but there was always some drawback 10
them all. / had about given up hope from
this source when Eureka, " happened to
think of Charley Bell.
Bell aud myself had been famous chums
prior to my marriage, having been members
of the same athletic club, and rowing in the
same boat hadn't seen him for some
time, although knew he was still in Wash
ington. Aside from his being a natural
athlete he was dead shot and to surmount
all these he was a man of great personal
courage and reckless daring Bells wife
was a woman fond of out door life and one
OF courage and determination / imagined
from the stories Charley used to tell of her
and from my own personal observation.
decided therefore to write to Charley.
telling him the particulars. and inviting he
and his wife up TO my house After writ
ing the letter / showed it to my wife. who
straightway approved of its contents. The
two ladies agreed to deliver it when thev
reached Washington, thereby saving lots of
time.
spent greater part of this day walking
up and down the yard and wondering
whether Bell would accept my invitation.
A thousand obstacles presented themselves
to my mind to cause him to decline. de-
termined not to be disappointed if he failed
to appear but to try and make the best of
the matter.
Iharnessed up the team and drove the
hired girls over to the station late that even
ing. We hated to part with them and they
were 10th to leave US, but under the circuu
stances there was nothing else they could
do The train was due from Washington in
few minutes, and / waited with very
faint hope that Bell might be among its
passengers.
When. she steamed into the depot the first
person to alight was Charley, looking in his
usual good condition and appearing de-
lighted to see me. He was accompanied by
his wife and they overwhelmed me with
questions about the house. Bell called me
dslue anu cautioned me 20 say nothing to his
wife about the ghost" part of the place;
for you know, he added, although she
is as brave as any man, spooks will floor
the best Of them; though mind you, " he
continued, II don't believe she is afraid of
anything"
The drive to the house was a delightful
one, and the conversation never tagged for
an Instant old time escapades of Charley
and myself we're brought up, and Mrs. Bell
laughed heartily at their recital.
AT dinner my wife excused the absence
OF the servants on some pretext or other
but told Bell the truth about the occur
renee We dallied long over this meal and
the moon was shining brightly when we
went out on the lawn. Everything about the
place had pleased my visitors 80 much /
would have been supremely happy had I
not kept continually thinking of the COM
ing night. As it was though we spent quite
pleasant evening indeed and / was as
founded at the manner IN which time had
flown
My wife suggested that perhaps we had
better retire as Mr.. and Mrs. Bell were un-