The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1904-11-11

sppezr aid talk 70 you someznignt-
I szi6 5sHteringly-
frightened! Why, my son Of
courss not. The idea OF me being
afraid q ny darling Alice" Mrs..
Buce cr-sd Indignantly.
Bat dezd people always make me
think O. z1os-s and sP5oks and al
that 81 q thing. and gives ne the
shiver..- / aid laughing. a. I assist
cd nv mother II law 10 sliga1-
.shau't I 70 IL and light the lamp
for vOu mother2'' No. thank YOU
dear. I shall DO nicely nov" and bid
ding her good night I drove away.
The old house was soon wrapped IN
darkness save for the light Of the
moon. and Mrs. Bruce, weary with
the days outing, was soon slum-
bering peacefully
Presently there was = gentle move
ment in the room that aroused the
old lady out Of her first nap and she
raised up on her elbow 10 listen
a shadowy form, clothed in white,
crossed the path OF moonlight fall
ing from the window, and paused be
side Mrs. Buce's bed.
who Is it?'' she asked, Uremulous-
] a. her heart began TO beat tumul-
tously.
Mother, 1t is I, your Alice" came
the faint answer. Don't be fright
ened. mother darling, you know that
I viii not harm you"
oh! my precious one, Is il really
YOU cried Mrs. Bruce sitting up in
bed and extending her hands. Let
me light the lamp 50 that l may see
your sweet face once more" But the
spirit put out a restraining hand and
said:
NO. mother dear, do not do that,
or I shall vanish. Just sit still and
listen and do not disturb me. for I
can only remain a few moments.
Il viii be quiet darling, but Oh!
how want to clasp youin my arms, p"
said Mr.. Bruce, choking down sob.
Listen mother, I have come TO
ask YOU to do something that will
make your Alice very happy"
"What Is it, dear one?''
Il want you to leave this home and
20 and live with George and Dolly
"Oh Alice, DO you want mother TO
leave the home that you bought and
beautifed for her." cried Mrs. Bruce,
bursting into tears.
The spirit patted the old lady's
shoulder fondly and whispered:
Eyes. mother, not only wish you
10 leave this place, but l want you to
sch it and use the money you viii get
for it in any way you choose. Will
YOU promise me 70 do this darling?"
Yes Alice, when shall go?"
''To morrow, do not remain another
night in this house. Shall it be as 1
wish, mOther?"
Yes, Alice, will 60 tomorrow"
Mrs. Bruce promised.
Thank YOU. You have made me
very happy. George and Dolly ana
the children will be very kind to you
and you viii be happy and recover
your health. Kiss me mother dear,
for must 60"
"Oh Alice, must you go so sOOn?'
cried Mrs. Bruce implOringly.
In answer the CHASTITY visitor stOOp-
ed and imprinted very warm and a
very human-like kiss upon the old
lady's trembling lips.
why, how warm and natural you
feel, I" cried Mrs. Bruce trying to pos
sess herself of her visitors hands,
which in some def way eluded her
grasp-''tell me darling, tell me be-
lore you 60, are You happy?'
VERY happy, now, mother dear,
that l have your promise" the appa-
rition answered as it flOated away
and was lost to sight in the shadows
of the room.
George, dear, how did you ever
accomplish it?'' Dolly cried in de-
light when her mother was safely and
happily domiciled with us the next
day. after Mrs. Bruce's adventure.
"How do you know that l did it,
little woman?' | asked innocently.
"Oh, 1 know that you did, although
mother has not said a word in regard
to what caused her to change her
plans. Come, tell me-" she coaxed.
My wife's cousin, Annie. who re-
sided in our neighborhoOd and who
/ baDnanad to no TraSort v4-bar tbsg