Bisbee daily review., 1903-04-15
IN GKOSTLY HOUR

light of the great hall. She must have dressed with unusual expedition, she thought, for none of the guests had as 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 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. Jack. She saw it all so distinctly. They were talking ofs Halloween supersti- tions and laughing over the belief that on this one night evil things might creep up and ghosts walk abroad ur- challenged. She had laughed unbe- iievingly, 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 goldfelds, his si- 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. :: . 1 "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 un- | masking time. I have been boasting of my pretty cousin, and you must see to it that I am not brought to confU- sion. But there goes the bell. Some | of the guests are arriving. Be ready to ! bow your prettiest, but remember there is to be no unmasking and no talking until supper time. have inyit- ed ghosts, and I 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.
 | Patty tried her luck as boldly as the | rest, but with an indifference which Isneeded no stimulation, and Fate, the
 fickle 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 boa IS
 and lit their candle freight she, too.
 murmured name-Jack-for a strange fantasy had come to the girl. Jack
 was dead. yes. but lis 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 were
 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 mad collaboration at
 the thought.
 The girls in turn were trying their luck in the darkened room with the
 magic mirror when a distracted young man sought out Cousin Aida. Miss
 Pendleton." he gasped. q must have
 some brandy. quick, It's for Pattyr'
 Then as he became aware of her mute
 astonishment he whispered more CO.,
 herentiy: Ifs Miss ErsaiD. She faint
 ed in the mirror room, and I can't
 make her open her eyes. Oh, won't
 you come quicklyf"
 Then Cousin Aida became her GUS,
 tomary quick witted self and followed
 him with her remedies so silently and
 expeditiously that none of the cons
 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, | Mir. SanbOrnf"
 His eyes never left the white face
 as he answered wildly: "Yes, know
 her-I used to know her It's my fault
 that I don't know her now l never
 thought it would frighten her so if
 l looked over her shoulder. Oh, do you think she will ever open her eyes:" l Even as he spoke there was dutter of the lids, and the dark eyes opened slowly, fearfuily. But as they met the pale face and ghcstly garments bend ing above them they closed. The 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 l. Cousin Aida, and one | other. You know him, Patty. It is an old friend of yours- Open your eyes and tell him that you are glad to see l him.
 | Before her masterfuI commands the | girl opened her eyes again and gazesi, still half fearfully, into tie face of Ter | lover Not dealf" she paufed