The daily morning Alaskan., 1903-11-19
IN GHOSTLY HOUR

 dreaded the first night among stran- e.rs-she pushed aside her black masL and walked over to Che fireplace. Aa she egzed into the heart of the glow me flames she thought of another fire side of just a year ago. Different yes-m 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.
 Sh, saw t au SO distinctly They wore taltme of Halloween supersu- uons and laughing over the belief that on this one night evil things might creep up and ghosts walk abroad un- challenged. She had laughed unbe- lleyIugly. with h.. head resting on Jacks shoulder and bis strong arm around her. But nowi
 She shuddered and hid her face in her hands. for in the flames she seemed to see ,he history of the twelve months the quarrel and Jacks sullen depar- ture for Che Alaskan goldhelds bis si- leuce and then the chance newspaper clipping telling of the loss, with al hands. of the Arctic Queen, and among Che passeuear list bis uame-John San bdru-ber fathers death, her return cast and these weary months of being passed from one relation to another like am unclaimed parcel
 She raised a startled face at sud den step. but Cousin Alida's brisk voice brought back realities.
 "Why. Patty. child you first and with such a pale pair of cheeksl Down with your mask. and let us hope that YOU win get some color before un- masking time. have been boasting of my pretty cousin, and you must see to 1t that ] am not brought to confu- sIon But there goes the bell. Some of tle guests are arriving. Be ready to bow your pretHest. but remember there is to be no unmasking and no . talking until supper time. ! have m7it- cd ghosts. and ! dare them to prove ! themselves of more earthly stun till betrayed by demands of healthy appe- ute"
 Under Cousin Alida's gay leader ship the ghosuy company tried their . fortunes in many ways showing uneN- . ne.ted interest in futures and behlv- Ing in a most undiguided and uughost- . like flshlol. Often startled laugh ! OF 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 an ! blessings u her lap-she should have ! leauH and wealth and happiness The l girl smiled cynIcauy. Happiness for lor.
 Yet when they launched their boats and Ht their candle freight she too, urmursd a uame-Jacb for a strange fantasy had come to the girl. Jack was dcad. yes. but bis ghost might como t0 her that night Her cheeks were scarlet with excitement Cousin ! Nla would have smiled approviug.y . ir -Gc had seen ,le girl as she watched . tI. mimic crafL Again the fates were kind .1 her. Her taper burned the lone es.. so t0 her should come the graut- . n. oC her wish She rembled. and ye. there was a mad eXhilaroti0n at . tL- thought
 The girls in turn were trying their
 luck in Che darkened room with the mae.c mirror when a distracted young man sougu. out Cousin Aida. Miss pnd'cto0 be cosped I must have some brandy quick. It's for Patty. ] Then as he became aware of her mute ! ast1n'shmeut be whispered m0re COG ! hercuIy. "Its Miss Erskin. She faint ! el in the mirror room. and ] can't make her open her eyes, Oh, won't . you como quicklyT
 Then Cousin Aida became her cus- tomary quick wIced self and followed . him with her remedies SO silently and . eNpeddously that none of the com- pauy was aware of the catastrophe. Tot even in her bewilderment she had noticed one thlug-John Sanbom had called her cousin Patty He knew her.
 Bu. her voice was only tired as she asked gently. Then you know-Patty . Mr. San1omg'
 His eyes never left the white face 0s he answered wildly: "Yes. ! know l. her-I used to know her. It's my fault . that ] don't know her now. ] never . thought it would frighten her SO # . looked over her shoulder. Oh, do you think she win ever open her eyest
 Even as be spoke there was a dUtter of the lids. and the dark eyes opened slowly fearfully But as they met the . pale face and ghostly garments bend ing above them they closed. "Ihe ! 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 dreaming There are no ghosts here only ]. Cousin Aida, and one other You know him. Patty. It is an old friend of yours. Open your eyes md tell him that you are glad to see him.
 ! Before her masterful commands the ] girl opened her eyes again and gazed, s.ll half fearfully, into the face of her lover Not dead:' she pauted ! For answer he caught her mp n bis arms "Not dead" he cried eXulully. "Did you think ! was, poor chldl u was an my cursed pride that made me silent at first when 1 went to the Elo2- : ----. L.. -.nn uLnn ] ..m. L.nL Ir