Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-03-28

{ sAV way uR b&4O StSabepoCs I This Is our spare room, Jack" said. Tt isn't much of room, but when we go back to the city and you come to see us will give you hand somer surroundings"
 l As he stood beside me noticed that the lamp was holding projected both our shadows on the window shade; mine was in bold relief, while his was only faint suspicion of shadow This struck me as being very singular | Goodnight, Jack" was my parting exclamation; "put out the light when you are ready for bed. I will see you in the morning"
 l He turned those lusterless eyes upon me and again that strange smile fitted across his pale face. felt relief when was out of his presence, for that look chilled me. When entered my own room found my wife awake. I Who were you talking to on the piazza?" she inquired. T tried to hear what was said, but the man spoke so low that I could not distinguish his words"
 Do you remember hearing me speak of the chum of my boyhood days, Jack Wilton?"
 Yes. Why. it cannot be Jack, he is In London"
 "Oh, mo-" I replied, he Is not in London, he is here, and tomorrow I will show him what jewel of a wife [ have"
 When at last I pressed my head on the pillow strange feeling took pos session of me. When l closed my eyes Jacks pale face and lusterless eyes were constantly before me. It was al- most dawn before sleep visited my eye l lids.
 When awoke I found that Bessie had already gone downstairs. dressed hurriedly, and was just about to leave the room, when Bessie entered with a newspaper in her hand.
 That was cruel joke, Will,' she said, with an asperity that had never heard her use before. "What joke?" I inquired.
 Why, telling me that Jack Wilton was here. Poor fellow, if you had known that he had met with an acci- dent you would not have joked at his expense"
 What accident?" I asked eagerly, with strange sensation in my heart. "Why, your friend Jack was knocked down by cab in London yesterday, and was so severely injured that he died within-an hour"
 'Now, Bessie, 1t is your turn to joke. Why. Jack is here; he came last night. Did I not tell you I talked with him last night?"
 "Oh, Will, for shame! See, here is the morning paper which James has just brought from the station. There is an account in it of the accident" waited to hear no more; I rushed across the hall and knocked on the door of the spare bedroom. There was no response. I threw open the door | and entered. To my surprise, my friend was not visible. More than that, the bed had not been disturbed. stood like man overcome by par alysis. Had been dreaming last night? But no; could not have been dreaming, for there on the table was the lamp had carried up, with the wick turned down, as though the light had been carefully extinguishsd 'S ,...., =
 "I certainly saw Jack Wilton last night" said firmly. We talked to. gether for an hour on the piazza. You heard his voice; you told me so.'
 q certainly heard two voices last night, your own and that of another man, whose tones were unfamiliar to me-" was Bessie's reply.
 Then I was not dreaming. Was 1t Jack Wilton's ghost that saw? Pshaw! am not so weak as that. No. Jack was here last night, as surely as I'm alive. What is 1t, James?" I asked, as James entered the dining room.
 Here's a telegram for you, sir"
 hastily opened the envelope, with a slight feeling of anxiety. The message read:
 Brother Jack was killed in London yesterday. Mother Is prostrated. Come to the house as soon as you reach the city. HENRY WILTON"
 finished reading the telegram, and then tainted. big, strong man as I am. just like weak woman. When I recovered James was assisting Bessie to carry me to lounge in the sitting room.
 James" said. when I had recov- cred my power of speech. was there anyone with me on the piazza last night while I was sitting there?"
 "Yes. sir. was sorry to disturb you. but I had to-"
 You are sure you saw some one there?"
 Well. as to that. can't say, sir. I didn't see the man distinctly. only saw his shadow. The moon was up. I didn't want to be curious. sir, SO I didn't try to see who he was. but both of your shadows were on the piazza noor"
 Did you hear the man speak!"
 'Yes. sir: and what a strange voice he had. SO hollow-like.'
 Where were you when I went into the house?''"
 T was in the garden. smoking my nine I ho.rd x-n-. rioaa fh. h.ft aS.-