CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1903-09-03

| "Rote said Malcolm unenSily.
"I was coming wn the stairs" said
Hirst: 'just cnpering down as
thought II ought to do. felt tap
He broke of suddenly and pecrcd
nervously through the open door into
the passage.
Al thought saw 1t again." he whis-
pered "Look-at the foot Of the stairs
Can you see anythingT
mo; there's nothing there" said NAL
colin, whose own voice sLook little.
go ON. You felt a tap on your shoul-
DER
81 turned round and saw TIA little
wicked head and a white dead face
pahw
THAT'S what saw in the bar" said
George. "Horrid 1t was-drvilish."
Hirst shudd.red and. still retaining
his nervous grip OF Malcoim's sleeve.
dropped into II chair.
"Well, It's most unaccountable
thing" said the dumfounded Malcolm.
| turning round to the others. Its the
| last time ] come to'this house"
81 leave tomorrow" said George Il
wouldn't go down to that bar again by
myself-no. not for f50."
"It's talking about the thing that's
caused 1t. expect" said one OF the
men. We've all been talking about
this and having II In our minds. Prnc-
tically we've been forming a spiritual
istic circle without knowing IT."
"Dasb the old gentleman 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"
81 saw II as plain as see you. sir"
said George solemniy. "P'raps II you
keep your eyes turned up the passage
you'll see II for yourself"
They followed the direction OF his
finger. but saw nothing. although one
Of them fancied that Il head peeped
round the corner OF the wall.
Who'll come down to the barr said
Malcolm. looking round.
"You can go II you like" said one OF
the others. with . faint laugh "we'll
wait here for you"
The stout tra veler walked toward the
door and took few steps up the pas
sage. Then he stopped. All was quite
silent. and he walked slowly to the
end and looked down fearfully toward
the glass partition which shut on the
bar. Three times he made as though
10 20 to II: then he turned back and.
| ginncing over his shoulder. came hur.
rtedly back to the room.
"Did you see IL sirT' whispered
George.
"Don't know" said Malcolm shortly.
II fancied saw something. but II
might have been fancy. I'm In the
mood to see anything just now. How
are you feeling now. sirr'
"Oh. feel a bit better now" said
Hirst somewhat brusquely a. all eyes
were turned upon him. II dare say
you think I'm easily scared. but you
didn't see ~"
"Not at ALL said Malcolm. smiling
family despite himself.
'T'm going to bed" said Hirst MOTTO
ing the smile and reeenting II. "will
you share my room with me. SomersT'
81 will. with pleasure said his
friend. provided you don't mind
sleeping with the gas on full all night"
He rose from bis seat and, bidding
the company friendly good night. left
the room with his crestfallen friend.
The others snw them TO the foot Of the
stairs and. having heard their door
close. returned TO the coffee room.
"well. I suppose the bets on" said
| the stout commercial poking the nre
and standing with his legs apart on
the hearth rug. though, as far as
can see. won II. I never saw a man
% scared in all my life. Sort Of poetic
Justice about II. Isn't there?'
"Never mind about poetry or Jus
dee" said one of the listeners. who's
| going to sleep with me7'
"l will" said Malcolm sfYably.
"And I suppose we share room to-
gether Mr. Leek." said the third man.
turning to the fourth.
"No. thank you" said the other
briskly. II don't believe In ghosts. If
anything comes into my room. shall
shoot it,
THAT won't hurt q spirit. Leek."
said Malcolm declsIvely.
"well. the noise'il he like company
| to me-" said Leek. "and It'll wake the
house too But II you're nervous. SIR"
he added. with a grin. to the man who
had suggested sharing bis room.
'.GeorGe'll be only too piensed to sleep
on the doormat inside your room.
know"
"That I will. SIR" said George fer.
vently. and II you gentlemen would
only come down with me to the bar to
put the gas out could never be sum
ciently grateful"
"Come on" said Malcolm. taking .
candle from the fireplace and lighting
It "we'll take this to come back
with"
They went out In q body. with ths
exception Of Leek. pcering carefully
| txn(n thos tns ha k~.
looked uninviting enough in the light
| M 00e umnl1 lot and the hillin ri r0naya