The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-22
THE WOMAN WHO
 WALKED AT NIGHT.
GA Ghost Story.) BY M. E. N. DAVIS.

We Gbs We OA V ASs Copyright, 1906, by Joseph B. Bowles.) As Sinclair drew near Mrs Iawsons s house, he slackened his somewhat ner- vous pace. and halted with an air of indecision. But Mrs. Lawson had caught sight of him from the porch where she sat. with a huge handbell on her knee. waiting for her boarders to come home for supper.
 There was a shade of embarrassmen ent on his handsome face.
 Mrs. Lawson" said Sinclair. with visible effort. ''I came by to see if you would take Katherine and. myself to board
 'Tn the name of the blessed Lamb"' ejaculated Mrs Lawson, staring at him over the gate pickets, whatever has happened? What do you want to go snywere and board for? Amt the Ca talpas-"
 Tt Is a wrench to me to leave the old place." Sinclair interrupted, and my father will be very lonely now that my mother is dead. But Katherine has set her heart on it, and if you will take us"
 T haven't a sign of a room left, Alick." Mrs. Lawson broke in, except the room on the roof" she added dubi- ousIy.
 well. what is the matter with the room on the roof?'' demanded Sinclair whimsically.
 He threw back his head as he spoke. and screwed his eyes up at the box-like structure planted on the roof of the low cottage.
 Nothing returned Mrs. Lawson. hastily. nothing at all. except that it is so small. Besides. the stair is like a ladder Katherine would never"
 All right; I'll take it at your own price, Mrs. Lawson
 Sinclair slackened his pace again as he approached the gate which opened into the quiet garden at the Catalpas His heart beat violently He lifted the latch with as little noise as pos sible. But, as he had foreboded, the slight sound startled his wife. She sprang with sharp cry from the bench were she had been sitting. pressing her hand to her side and trembling from head to foot.
 My poor Katherinew exclaimed her husband, catching her in his arms where she lay pallid and almost lifeless.
 She was very beautiful. the golden faired girl whom Alick Sinclair had brought. bride, to his fathers house less than two years before. The mys- terious malady which developed short ly after her marriage, and which con tinued 10 baffle her physician, had robbed her cheeks of their color and bloom. But 1t added an indescribable charm to her delicate face and fragile figure. An unearthly expression dawned into her large blue eyes--a president gaze, as if her vision, like her sense of hearing, had become abnorm ally acute. Something almost akin to awe filled those around this exquisite young creature at si ht of her strange and inexplicable surerinRs She had apparently. no bodily ailments. But the slightest irregular sound thrilled her with nervous aalrm; her attenua ted frame shook with conVulsions at any unexpected appearance she paled at a Whth of unaccustomed perfume She ate but little. and seemed to have lost the faculty of sleep. Latterly, a nor bid distatste for the old Sinclair home stead had possessed her. She breathecl with difficulty within it's lofty walls she was oppressed by the atmosphere of It's shadowy garden.
 The same night saw them installed In Mrs. Lawson's room on the roof
 The room was small A four posted mahogany bedstead. with balduchin and side steps occupied at least one quarter of the floor space.
 Sinclair. seated on the side of the bed smiled as he compared this cramped rookery with his wife's ample dressing room at the Catalpas. But he felt an unwonted lightneSs of spirit. He could see the reflection of Katherine's face in the mirror opposite She stood with her back to him, brushing out her long hair There was a look of content on her white brow; he even fancied a touch of color in her lips: her golden hair seemed to have regained somewhat of It's lost luster.
 She was right" he thought. "the shange has already helped her
 He watched with delight the rhyth- mic motion of her slender arms Mean while he chatted gayly of his hoyhood days, and the recollecttons aroused by Mrs. Lawson's motherly gossip. Kath- srins listened. turning from time to lime with a nod or a smile.
 Once, I remember" he went on Mrs. Lawson came to the Catalpas with a"
 He stopped abruptly. staring confus- sdly into space. He passed his hand scFoss his forehead and continued his