The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-08-30

the striker had disappeared after the
nrst night's work, AND 10 was declared
that he had been thrtwn into the fur.
mace.
Night after night his phantom form
could be seen lowering IN the smoke
and steam from the stack and exhaust
pipes, and no man dared remain. the
fear Of tie night shift communicating
Itself 10 tho day force.
Raymond always had good influence
over the men, and Ncttie felt certain
that he would be able to adjust mat
ters, but sbe had given her pledge not
even 10 speak 10 him. and she could not
urge him TO take up the work.
II was late that night and Nettie was
combing her hair when there came q
gentle tap On tho door, and she opened
II to admit her father. She was shock.
cd NJ tho change that had come over
him In the few hours since dinner. His
face was scumcd with burrows and his
form stopped with care.
Il have been thinking over what you
said" he began without preface as she
assisted him 10 chair, II DO not want
10 break my word. but absolute ruin
stnres me IN the face. II Raymond can
stop this fear OF the supernatural In the
men viii take back what said and
accept hia ap my son.in.lnw. WIN you
send him 10 me IN the mornIngT'
Are things m bnd an thatT she
asked. Ellison nodded.
Unless ! can obtain a permanent
force by The end of the week." he said.
1T win ba impossible to complete this
contract IN time"
And this IL only Tuesday" she
mused. "Tei can do It."
Ellison went away comforted. Apart
from what BIO termed bis presumption.
he liked the man with his clean cut in.
cisive manner and quick comprehcn-
sion. Somehow he felt that herein lay
his solution,
Tho next day there was CONSERVATION
In the strikers camp. The pickets no
ported that Ted had been made super.
intendent Of the works. They liked
him. but also they feared him.
That night gave Ted his first view
Of The spec,er, lie remained with the
night shift. aud shortly after midnight
there was u cry Of alarm In the yard.
and he rushed out 10 find the men all
staring at The huge smokestack.
There in the swirllng wrcaths Of
smoke foated the dead engineers i'm.
age. Once or twice the specter van
ished. only TO reappcat again. and for
twenty minutes the men stared. Then,
AS II moved by single Impulse, they
went 10 their lockers. and nm hour
later Ted and the old watchman were
left alone IN the yard.
The day shift went TO work. as usual.
but II was not long before the men
grew uneasy. There were no apparl.
ilons In the daytime. but they felt
nervous at the thought that the spirit
Of the murdered man hoyered over the
works.
AT the noon hour they talked II over.
and when the whistle blew for the re-
turn 10 work they went TO the office In
body. 'they found. Ted busy with
some bits Of glass covered with red
paint He looked up as the spokes-
man entered.
Better make II short," he said quiet.
ly. II suppose you do not want 10
keep on working In a haunted foun.
dry"
"Ihat's right" declared the leader
I'VE can't stand t."
'"rhlnk you can hold out through the
afternoon he asked, I'VE are going
10 give little ghost party tonight.
Keep at II until knock.off time comes,
and the two shifts will have supper
together"
Wont that ghost be around to-
nightT' demanded the leader suspl- |
cIously. 1T may be all foolshness,
but you saw II yourself last night"