Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-07-30

II turned around and saao it,"
are chance. Is you'll wait a bit, I'll
give you full dress rehearsal entitled
Jerry Bundler; or, The Nocturnal
y
you won't brighten u.s." said the
with Il husky laugh.
81 don't know that" said Hirst
sharply; cts question Of acting
that's all. I'm pretty good, amt |,
"Oh, you're all right-for an ANA
teur," said his friend with laugh.
81 bet you level SOW you don't
brighten me-" said the stout traveller.
Done" said Hirst; 81 take the bet
to frighten you first and the old gem
tleman afterward. These gentlemen
shall be the Judges"
you won't brighten us, sir" said an
other man, because we're prepared
for you, but you'd better leave the old
man alone. It's dangerous play"
well, I'll try you first" said Hirst.
springing up. mo gas, mind"
He ran lightly up stairs to his room,
leaving the others, most of whom had
been drinking somewhat freely, to
wrangle about his proceedings 1t end
ed in two of them going to bed.
Hes crazy on acting" said Somers,
lighting his pipe; thinks he's the
equal of anybody almost. 1t doesn't
matter with us, but / won't let him go
to the old man, and he won't mind SO
long as he gets an opportunity of act
ing to US"
"Well, hope he'll hurry up" said
Malcolm, yawning; otis after u
now"
Nearly half an hour passed. NAL
colin drew his watch from his pocket
and was winding 1t for the night when
George, the waiter, who had been sent
on an GRAND to the bar, burst sudden
ly into the room and rushed toward
them.
"'E's coming. gentlemen" he said
breathlessly.
"Why, you're frightened, George"
said the stout commercial with a
chuckle.
ut was the suddenness of it," said
George sheepishly, "and, besides, ]
didn't look for seeing i'm in the bar.
There's only a glimmer of light there.
and e was sitting on the floor behind
the bar nearly trod on i'm"
ooh, you'll never make man.
Georgew said Malcolm
well, it took me unawares." said
the waiter; mot that I'd have gone to
the bar by myself if I'd known it was
there, and I don't believe you would
either, sir"
Nonsense" said Malcolm. "I'll 60
and fetch him in"
you don't know what it's like, SIR
said George, catching him by the
sleeve. ut amt fit to look at by your
self; it amt, indeed. It's got the
what's that:"
They all started at the sound Of O
smothered cry from the staircase and
the sound Of somebody running hur
richly along the passage. Before any
body could speak the door flew open
and figure, bursting into She room
flung itself, gaspiHg and shivering, up
on them.
What is it? WHAT'S the matter@
demanded Malcolm. "Why, it's Mr.
Hirst!" He shook him roughly ant
then held some spirit to his lips. Hrs
drank it greedily and with sharl
intake of his breath gripped him by
the arm.
Light tie gas, George" said Nal
colin.
The waiter obeyed hastily. Hirst, I
ludicrous but pitiable figure in kne,
brooches and coat, Il large wig all awr,
and his face a mess of grease paint
chung to bin, trembling.
Now, what's the matter?" asked
Malcolm.
"I've seen it~ said Hirst. with {
historical sob. 80 Lord, I'll nevel
play the fool again-never!"
Seen what" asked the others.
Him it the ghost anything!'
said Iiirst wildly.
hOl. salu halcOlIu uneuSlly.
81 was coming down the stairs" sait
IIirst; 'iust capering down as
thought it ought to do. l felt tap
He broke off suddenly and peeret
ncrvously through the open door int
the passage.
II thought l saw it again." he whis
pered. "Look-at the foot Of the stairs
Cal you see anythingY
mo; there's nothing there" said Nal
colin, whose own voice shook little
$50 on. You felt a tap on your shoul
der
81 turned round and saw tia littl,
wicked head and a white dead face
pah!i'
That's what saw in the bar" sait
George. "Horrid it was--devilish."
IIirst shuddered and, still retaining
his nervous grip of Malcolms sleeve
dropped into Il chair.
"Well, it's n most unaccountablt
thing" said the dumfoundcd Malcolm
turning round 10 the Others ITS thu
last time | come to this house."
Il leave tomorrow" said George. 81
wouldn't 70 down to that bar again by
myself-no, not for E50."
ITS talking about the thing that's
caused it, ] expect" said one of tho
men. We've all been talking about
this and having it in our minds. Prac
tically we've been forming spiritual
istic circle without knowing it,
dash the old gentlemanw said Nal.
colin heartily. Upon my soul, I'm
half afraid TO go to bed. It's odd they
should both think they saw some.
thing"
II snw it as plain as see you, SIR
said Gee.Se solemnly. "P'raps if you
keep your eyes turned up the passage
you'll see it for yourself"
They followed the direction of his
finger, but saw nothing, although one
of them fancied that a head peeped
round the corner Of the wall.
who'll come down to the barr" said
.r..sl>-. .nm s... mi,