The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-11-17

called, had its own ghost story, as
nearly all old houses have, but 1t was
SO vague as to be scarcely worth con-
sidering 1t never disturbed me in the
slightest, and, thought | was natural
ly timid, never thought Of ghosts
haunting the place, no matter how late
worked.
One night, however, I was made TO
think about the stories had heard. It
was very late, and was absorbed in a
tale was writing, had heard no
sound to disturb me, but l felt a
draught as IL door were opened. My
window was down from the top, and
fancied the wind had changed.
closed it and sat down at my desk
again.
Presently heard what seemed to be
soft footsteps. They were passing
down the hall. / thought of burglars
and hesitated about going to see
turned my light out and sat still. There
was faint light in the hall. All be-
came quiet and peered out
There was nothing in sight, and
slipped down to the further end. Moth
ing there but door leading to a small
balcony overlooking the garden. Moth
ing had been taken, and there was no
sign of midnight marauders. tried
the door and it was. locked. went
back to my den, and few minutes lat.
er l retired.
At breakfast l casually spoke to
Margaret of ghosts. She laughed ner-
vously and said they had been seen
in the house and had been heard, but
not for two generations l asked her
| if she was afraid. She said she didn't
know, but that she might be If the
ghost came to her. Otherwise she was
not inclined to give the matter any
thought
For two or three nights after this.
Margaret and were at the theatre, and
| If the ghost roamed then / was not
there to hear. But 1t came again dur
| ing the following week. This time its
soft tread moved up towards Mar
garet's room. My first thought was of
her, and as soon as l could gather my
strength, but confess that l was SO
frightened that l could not pull my
self together at once, hurried up the
hall to her door.
called to her softly. once or twice,
and went in. She was not fully awake,
and she asked what was the matter
told her had heard the ghost again,
and 1t had come to her door. She
laughed then, and became my COM
forter. Margaret, you know. was al
ways stronger than |, and had really
more Physical courage than I had.
She sent me back to my room with
the promise that she would lock her
door, and tie ghost could not get In. l
went away, and as did so heard the
key turn In the lock. Then l searched
the hall and found nothing, as be-
fore
The next morning at breakfast Mar
garet leased me so about my ghost that
| was ashamed Of myself and resolved
not to speak OF 1t aga.n.
Several weeks passed, and at inter
walls would hear the footsteps Of the
mysterious visitor, but | had become
accustomed to his ghostship and gave
no heed.
| Now and again. after l had heard II
moving along the hall towards Mar
garet's room. would go there just be-
was locked. It was always secure, and
| smiled at my fears and went my way.
But as I became careless of the
ghost began to notice that Margaret
was becoming nervous and was losing
color and spirits. thoughtlessly chat
fed her as she had leased me, but she
showed such unmistakable signs that
it was no trifling matter. that re-
solved to see for myself what this
ghost might be. l said nothing to her
Of my purpose. for knew it would
not improve matters for her to think
was disturbed.
The next night | had attended a din
ner at the club and did not get in I'M
til midnight. or perhaps an hour later,
as one is apt to do after club dinners.
Probably had taken more wine than
usual. In any event felt brave
enough to meet any ghost that walk
ed. and | went into my den to wait
for it. II this should be its night to Wis.
it the haunts of men. Iwaited so long
that dozed, and. waking with start,
| heard the well known footsteps. This
time they were going down the hall in
the direction I had pursued them the
first night l had heard them.
Gathering my wits as quickly as
could. went into the hall, and in the
light, SO dim that only the merest out.
lines were visible, | saw tall figure
in misty gray wrap Of the olden
time. l started after it. but before
had taken half dozen steps 1t stop
ped. turned, and waved me back warn
ingly. AS have said. | am not brave
man. and came no nearer. Slowly
the ghost turned again, and in its
stately fashion passed on to the end
Of the hail.