The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-03
IN GHOJ7LY HOUR
By HELEN UO0D

as she bowed to the first of the maskers.
Tears are seldom considered adjoining.
But she gradually forgot herself in the
novelty Of the entertainment. Under
Cousin Alida's gay leadership the ghostly
company tried their fortunes in many
ways, showing unexpected interest in
futures and behaving in a most undig-
nif1ed and unghostly fashion. Often a
startled laugh or exclamation revealed
some carefully hidden identity.
Patty tried her luck as boldly as the
rest, but with an indifference which need
ed no stimulation, and Fate the tickle
jade insisted on pouring all blessings in
her lap-she could have health and wealth
and happiness. The girl smiled CYNICAL
ly. Happiness for her! r.
Yet when they launched their boats and
lit their candle freight, she, too, MUIR
INJURED name-Jack-for a strange fam
tasy had come to the girl. Jack was
dead, yes, but his ghost might come to
her that night Her cheeks were scarlet
with excitement. Cousin Aida would
have smiled approvingly If she had seen
the girl as she watched the mimic crafts.
Again the fates were kind to her. Her
taper burned the longest, SO to her should
come the granting OF a wish. She trem-
bled, and yet there was a mad exhilara-
ton at the thought.
The girls in turn were trying their luck
in the darkened room with the magic
sought out Cousin Aida. Miss Pendle-
ton," he gasped, Il must have soma
brandy, quick! It's for Patty" Then
as he became aware of her mute aston
ishment he whispered more coherently:
It's Miss Erskin. She tainted in the
mirror room, and I can't make her open
her eyes. Oh, won't you come quickly?"
Then Cousin Aida became her GUS
tomary quick witted self and followed him
with her remedies SO silently and ex-
peditiously that none of the company were
aware Of the catastrophe. Yet even in
her bewilderment she had noticed one
thing -John Sanborn had called her cou-
sin patty" He knew her. And as she
| watched him feverishly chafing the girls
inert fingers she learned something else.
He loved Patty. Then she, Aida Pendle-
ton, had given her heart to this man all
unsought. A flood of shame dyed her
cheek, but John Sanborn did not notice
it. And Patty-did she love him?
But her voice was only tired as she
asked gently, Then you know-Patty, Mr.,
| Sanborn?"
His eyes never left the white face as
he answered wildly: Yes, know her-I
used to know her. It's my fault that
don't know her now. I never thought it
would frighten her so if I looked over
her shoulder. Oh, do you think she will
ever open her eyes?''
Even DIS ne spoke tQere was a Quller OK
| the lids, and the dark eyes opened slowly,
fearfully. But as they met the pale face
and ghostly garments bending above them
they closed. THE ghost" she moaned in
terror.
Her lips were growing blue again when
Aida seized her trembling hands in her
warm ones. Patty, dear, you are dream
ing. There are no ghosts here-only I,
Cousin Aida, and one other You know
him, Patty. 1t is an old friend of yours.
Open your eyes and tell him that you are
glad to see him.
Before her masterful commands the girl
opened her eyes again and gazed, still
half fearfully, into the face Of her lover.
Not dead?' she painted.
For answer he caught her up in his
arms. Not dead!" he cried exultantly.
Did you think I was, poor child? It was
all my cursed pride that made me silent
at first, when went to the Klondike And
when 1 came back to Boulder you were
gone. And I have hunted for you ever
since till now-I have found you. Miss
; Pendleton can tell you that I had no idea
that you were her cousin.
But Miss Pendleton had gone out softly
and shut the door behind her.