New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-25

He had always stoutIy protested that there we're /
and had made his wife weep on several occasions |
with his denuncatons Of such impious beliefs But (
comely and pleasant one to iook at. however and I
little white tie. such as cIergymen always used to
wear. and he looked at them very kindly. very !
vicar plucked UP courage and cleared his throat |
very audibly. ne usually did before he began his
The apparition moved and Mrs. Slipper gave
Il see you do not know me-" said full. pleasant
voice acconpanle5a BY ~ d Sourtly bow GU am
vicarage- Let me give you chair. madam Nay
/ fear it is an unpleasant night" He drew Mrs
Slippers own little chair nearer the fire as ne
on it in ali the twenty years it had warmed the
vicar and his frugal wife And you, SIR" turn
rnent pray take this one" indicating the poor
The Rev. Josiah sat down neekly with his knees
close together and his teeth very nearly chat
The apparitIon turned 10 the lady
You look tired madam, and cold. Allow me
to ring for some tea. It is not yet o'clock. and
do not dine till a quarter 70 eight
across to her husband relgiousTy kept her feet
off the hearth which the appartJiOn apparently
ahR is o%n as sort Of Tom i0''S S0uno
Inc vicar opened his mouth to say something:
and closed II without speaking. Both OF them had
their backs to the door. and neither of them vent
that the door behind them opened. that order
not turn their heads because something told them
the passage and the hand that turned the handle
were not the footsteps of their own little Abigail
nor her hand There was a pause, and then the
apparition began TO speak What he said neither
syllable Of what he sand, SO intently were they
ilstening Tor the SOUND OF daLhag IoQeSteP or a
session of both their brains-where was Susan?
been an hour as far as they were concerned. when
the door reOpened and their enraptured ears were
tbeir bea6s TbE at Iasst nust be susan in the
feSh-ghOStlV al east would
But the, smiles of relief the hope had coniured
up died slowly off their faces. and they both in
voluntarily edged their chairs further and further
from the hearth rug-the bearer Of the tea tray
was not Susan. but middle aged foreigner OF
the men servants thew were wont TO meet with on
their very occasional visits TO the great house"
sble OK which $1,000 Ms slpGerg Worbox and
little pile of tracts. The visitant removed
these carefully. set down the tray. and retired.
the door Closed Fh3d tha mann as
He has been with ne for years, give him no
for and provides with fooG and raiment
traveilers he and l. and often ind ourselves in
strange places. but he always MANAGES something
I dare say he W. give excellent dinner this
! am content with q dev1ed hone as well as any
man az pnchH5Ht am forgetffns the 0t tea! You
Will 9fficiate MADAM hope" ne added with the
lady is always more than ever charming seen over
The little vicarAss cast despairing look ae her
husband. who stin seated in the attitude he
utes ago, or was It as many hours? But she
gained help from him. He might have been
statue The smile that the aDuaritfon bent upon
her was inpelIng. She graspcd the black handle
II gave her COURAGE She poured out cun-
two-tHere a tFf-d-sHe longer fright
something rfdiculousIv inconsruous the notion
Of a-wel1-a-she hardly liked call ii a ghost.
Josiah would not Ike it-drtrking teal After
seconds hesitation she poured out third. The
aprarition OWNED her intention.
mot for me- dear lady seldom take anything
r-Lo Nd brtfo- tn
do this he had TO step off the hearth rug. Mr..
Slipper irstiDctfvey shot his chair back foot or
her courage She had even BEGUN to suspect the
spparition IF being quite harmless and agreeable
flesh and blood. PUt her COURAGE returned so
her husbands oo7ad at his fingers ends 1t
the bread and butter c0ur+eo-Isy offered 10 him
by this srranee guest (who seemed so determined
houseN because his hands trembling that
he knew he could not hold it. For his fears nad
taken practical turn than his wffe's He had
been growing more and more certain as the min
utes went hv that this unpleasant visitor was
none other than Iunatc escaped from the asylum
II was bad enough 10 be thus at the mercy OF
that IN all probability the servant~-the familiar
spirit. the grewsome purveyo- Of devfled bones
the outer world? How was Fa 70 let the authorities
know and oh, horror! where was Susan?
"WTee man said the sDDarttOn- in answer 70
the wears inarttculate refusal 70 eat Won't spoil
your dinner Ell Your good lady here IS less care
fu''-for Mrs Slipper actually slipping her tea
with relish ard lingering her cake quite affection
made for Christmas and had put carefully away
in the storeroOTn.
The Rev. Josiah smiled sickly smile.
you should always humor them" ne thought he
had heard some one say, especially If you are in
Ito be continuedO