The Savannah morning news., 1904-03-06

tulip tree.
The whole household was by this
time becoming so demoralized by the
constant dread of some dire calamity
that Mrs. Deerins determined to take
Atwood into her confidence. The au-
thor laughed at first. but seeing how
his aunt was distressed he promised
to make the ghosts acquaintance at
the earliest possible moment.
That night he joined the watchers,
but the ghost refused to walk. An
other night was equally disappointing
On the following night Mrs. Deer
ing saw it and told Atwood so. L
have a PLAN" said the author, you
take my room, I'll take yours. and
when half-past eleven strikes I'll put
my work aside and watch for your
ghost -
For three nights he. worked and
watched and waited, but had nothing
of interest to tell his hostess when the
next dav dawned.
Mrs. Deering returned to her apart
ments and Atwood to his.
That very night she saw the sprite.
Aunt Phoebe saw it, too. and took to
her bed. The servants had ceased to
take their nights out. Sycamore"
was a good imitation of a madhouse.
Young Deering wired Chicago for the
best detective that could be had,
"Who has seen this thing?" was the
detectives first question.
Everybody about the place but
Touhey and the author"
The detective examined the ground,
and discovered that the dirt had been
spaded UP under the big birch. There
was fresh dirt on spade near the
lodge, though Touhey said he had not
used il for a week.
That night the detective sat with
his back to a big tree Immediately in
front of the gardeners lodge. but
Touhey slept like a log until the sun
came in at his window.
That day the detective slept. The
next night he sat in a dark closet at
the end Of a dimly-hghted hallway: at
trance to Atwood's room.
Near midnight the light went out,
but the door never opened during the
night.
Young Deering kept watch in his
mothers room. He owned that he had
nodded, but was positive he had seen
a white object for a brief moment on
the brow of the hill.
Atwood announced that his story
would be completed and in the mail on
the morrow-in time to win the honor
arium. Mrs. Deering, who was almost
the only person permitted to see him,
heard this with great sigh of relief,
for Atwood's condition was beginning to
alarm her. He was not eating, his
eyes had a stony stare, the color had
left his cheeks. At times he moved and
spoke like one half asleep. His voice
sounded as If it came from a distance.
Poor boy" said Mrs. Deering, tits
the ghost that's wearing on him."
For his third nights work the detec-
tive planned a blockade of the big birch.
Two of the Deering boys and a couple
of their friends were to assist MIN
while the third Deering was to remain
with Mrs. Deering and Helen. Aunt
Phoebe was out of it altogether keep
ing her room day and night.
Promptly at II o'clock the watchers
took their places under the great trees,
completely surrounding the mysterious
birch. The detective having placed his
men, took up a post between the pool
and the point of the hill over which the
ghost was said to have passed upon
more than one occasion. Nobody had
ever seen the ghost coming in, but the
detective took it for granted that il
would enter by the same trail used
when departing.
They had scarcely stationed them
selves when the low-hanging boughs
of the big birch parted and the white
thing strobe out in full view. The two
women at the window gave a low CRY.
clutching at young Deerfng, who hush
ed them. Every man among the trees
stood stone-still, awed by the awful
apparition. Only the detective kept a
grip on his courage. He stepped out
from the shadow of the tulip tree and
stood in the ghosts path. The watch
ers at the window held their breath.
Inspired suddenly by the great cour-
age of their leader the sentinels, one
after the other. left their posts and
hurried to his aid. The detective put
up his hand as If to hold them back.
The little company paused. The de-
tective stepped to one side, and the
white thing passed on, disappearing
among the trees. The detective, sill
houetted against the star-studded sky.
beckoned. and the other men hurried
up to the level of the lawn. He put
up his hand and they all stopped short
At that moment the white object,
emerging from the shrubs, crossed an
open space and passed out of view at
the rear Of the building. The detec-
tive signalled again and the others
followed him to the front of the house.
The watchers within Joined them. Up
over the roof of the summer kitchen
came the ghost. Helen hid her face
and shuddered. Along the eve-trough
the white-robed object hurried to-
ward the front Of the house
"Hus-s-h," said the detective. ats At
wood. If you wake him he'll fall "
At the end of the roof the ghost sat
down, took hold of the cornice. lower
ed himself by one hand and dropped
lightly to the porch roof and stepped
in through an open window 20 MIR. At
woods room.
The detective signalled and they fol.
lowed him into the drawing room.
In an hour they were all compare
lively calm.
The detective. who had been up
stairs, reported Mr.. Atwood sleeping
like tired child. A heap of manu-
script lay upon his table with the
word "Finis" written on the bottom
Of the last page.
BY this time the family doctor who
had been called by telephone. arrived
LET him sleep" said the doctor,
when he had heard the story and look
ed the patient over.
lust as he was about 10 leave the
room the doctor noticed the stack of
manuscript turned II over and read
the title Of the tale that Atwood had
been living for a fortnight.