Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1903-04-30
In GHosTLY HOUR
Copyright, 1902, by T. c. Mcclure.l


Patty trailed ghostly sheetings down
the broad stairs into the uncertain fire
light of the great hall. She must have
dressed with unusual expedition, she
thought, for none Of the guests had as
yet arrived.
With little sigh OF relief-for she
dreaded the first night among stran-
gers-she pushed aside her black mask
and walked over to the fireplace. AS
she gazed into the heart of the glow
ing flames she thought of another fire
side of just year ago. Different,
yes-in a tiny parlor in Boulder, Colo
and she had not been alone then. Her
father slept in the next room, and Jack
was by her side on the low settle. Jack!
She saw it all so distinctly They
We're talking Of Halloween supersti-
lions and laughing over the belief that
on this one night evil things might
creep up and ghosts walk abroad I'M
challenged. She had laughed unbe-
lovingly, with her head resting on
Jacks shoulder and his strong arm
around her. But now?
She shuddered and hid her face in
her hands, for in the flames she seemed
to see the history of the twelve months
the quarrel and Jacks sullen depar
ture for the Alaskan goldfields his 81
lence and then the chance newspaper
clipping telling of the loss, with all
hands, Of the Arctic Queen, and among
the passenger list his name-John San
| born-her fathers deaLh, her return
east and these weary months of being
| passed from one relation to another,
| like an unclaimed parcel.
She raised Il startled face at a sud
den step but Cousin Alidas brisk voice
brought back realities.
"Why, Patty, child, you first, and
with such a pale pair of cheeks? Down
with your mask, and let us hope that
| you will get some color before I'M
masking time. l have been boasting of
my pretty cousin, and you must see
to it that l am not brought to confu
sion. But there goes the bell. Some
of the'guests are arriving. Be ready 10
bow Your prettiest, but remember
there is to be no unmasking and no
talking until supper time. have invit-
ed ghosts, and l dare them to prove
themselves of more earthly stuff till
betrayed by demands of healthy appe
F., tite"
Under Cousin Alidas gay leader
ship the ghostly company tried their
| fortunes in many ways, showing uneX-
pected interest in futures and behav-
ing in most uRdignified and unghost-
like fashion. Often startled laugh
or exclamation revealed some carefully
hidden identity.
Patty tried her luck as boldly as the
rest, but with an indifference which
needed no stimulation, and Fate, the
tickle jade, insisted on pouring all
blessings in her lap-she should have
health and wealth and happiness. The
girl smiled cynically. Happiness for
her.
Yet when they launched their boats
and lit their candle freight she, too,
murmured Il name-Jack-for a strange
fantasy had come to the girl. Jack
was dead, yes, but his ghost might
come to her that night Her cheeks
We're scarlet with excitement Cousin
| =
if she had seen the girl as she watched
the mimic craft. Again the fates were
kind to her. Her taper burned the Ion
geSt, so to her should come the grant
ing of her wish. She trembled, and
yet there was mad exhilaration at
the thought
The girls in turn We're trying their
luck in the darkened room with the
magic mirror when Il distracted young
man sought out Cousin Aida. Miss
Pendleton," he gasped, Il must have
some brandy. quick! It's for Patty
Then as he became aware Of her mute
establishment he whispered more co.
herently: ITS Miss Erskin. She faint
ed in the mirror room, and 1 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
eNpeditiously that none of the COM
pany was aware of the catastrophe
Yet even in her bewilderment she had
noticed one thing-John Sanborn had
called her cousin Patty" He knew
her.
But her voice was only tired as she
asked gently, "Then you know-Patty
Mn. Sanborn?'
: His eyes never left the white face
as he answered wildly: Yes, l know
her-I used to know her. It's my fault
that l don't know her now. 1 never
thought it would brighten her so il
looked over her shoulder. Oh, do yor
think she will ever open her eyes?"
Even as he spoke there was a tluttel
of the lids, and the dark eyes opened
slowly, fearfully. But as they met tn,
pale face and ghostly garments bend