Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-04-07
DAILY SHORT STORY
In GhostIy Hour.
ICopyright. 1902. by T. c. Mcclure. ]

yet arrived.
With a 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 a year ago. Different,
yes-in 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. Jacki
She saw it all so distinctly. They.
were talking of Halloween supersti-
tions 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-
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 ST.
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 death, her return
east and these weary months of being
passed from one relation to another,
like an 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 pale pair of cheeks? Down
with your mask, and let US hope that
you will get some color before I'M
masking time. have been Boosting of
my pretty cousin, and You must see
to it that 1 am not brought to confu-
sion. But there goes the bell. Some
of the guests are arriving. Be ready to
bow your prettjest, but remember
there is to be no unmasking and no
talking until supper time. L have invit-
ed ghosts, and L dare them to prove
themselves of more earthly stuff till
betrayed by demands of healthy appe-
tite."
Under Cousin Alida's gay leader
ship the ghostly company tried their
fortunes in many ways, showing unex-
pected interest in futures and behav-
ing in a most undignified and unghost-
like fashion. Often startled laugh
or exclamation revealed some carefully
hidden identity. Fs
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
herr
Yet when they launched their boats
and lit their candle freight she, too.
murmured a 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
were scarlet with excitement. Cousin
Aida would have smiled approvingly
if she had seen the girl as she watched
the mimic craft. Again the fates we're
kind to her. Her taper burned the lon
gest, so to her SHOULD come the grant
ing of her wish. She trembled, and
yet there was a mad exhilaration at
the thought.
The girls in turn were trying their
| luck in the darkened room with the
magic mirror when distracted young
man sought out Cousin Aida. Miss
Pendleton," he gaSped, 81 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 L can't
make her open her eyes. oh, won't
you come quicklyP
Then Cousin Aida became her Gus
l 4
him with her remedies so silently and
expeditiOusly 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,
Mr.. SanbornW
His eyes never left the white face
as he answered wildly: Eyes, 1 know
her-I used to know her. It's my fault
that 1 don't know her now. 1 never
thought it would brighten her so if
looked over her shoulder. Oh, do you
think she will ever open her eyesT'
Even as he spoke there was a fiutter
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. THE
ghostv' 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 1, 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. mot dead?" she painted.
For answer he caught her up in his
arms. Not deadv' he cried exultantly.
did you think L was. poor child? 1t
was all my cursed pride that made me