The daily morning Alaskan., 1903-10-07
IN GnUSILI nUUR
Copyright. lso2. by T. c. Mcciure,l

NEN AlEAhN0s
 With a little sigh of relief-for she dreaded the first night among stran- gers-she pushed aside her black masL and walked over to the fireplace. Aa she gazed into the heart of the glow ig flames she thought of another fire side of just a 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 lt all so distinctly They were talking of Halloween supersu- tons 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- lievlngly. with he. head resting on Jacks shoulder and bis strong arm around her. But now3
 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 goldhelds, his sl- 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.
 N oil lad uH n den step. but Cousin Alida's brisk voice brought back realities.
 Why. Patty, child, you first, and with such pale pair of cheekst Down with your mask, and let us hope that you will get some color before un- masking time. l have been boasting of my pretty cousin, and you must see to lt that I anu 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 DO uumasking and no talking until supper time. have invit- cd ghosts, and l dare them to prove themselves of more earthly stun tlll betrayed by demands of healthy appe- tlte"
 Under Cousin Alida's gay leader ship the ghostly company tried their fortunes in many ways. showing uneN- pected interest in futures and behav- ing in most undignided and unghost- like fashion. Often a 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 hckle 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 bouts 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 hls ghost might come to her that night. Her cheeks were scarlet with excitement Cousin Aida would have smiled approvingiy 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 a mad eXhilaration 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 Patty" Then as he became aware of her mute astOnishment he whispered more CO., herently: Its Miss Erskln. 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 com pany was aware of the catastrophe. Yet even in her bewilderment she had noticed one thing Sanborn had called her cousin Patty" He knew her.
 But her voice was only tired as she asked gently, "Then you knOw-Patty, Mir SanbornT"
 His eyes never left the white face as be answered wildly; "Yes, l know her-I used to know her It's my fault that l 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 eyesF
 Even as he spoke there was a futter 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 ghOstg 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 I, 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 him"
 Before her masterful commands the girl opened her eyes again and gazed, stin half fearfully, into the face of her lover ~Not deadP she panted.
 For answer he caught her up in his