The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-12-28
THE GHOST
IN YELLOW.
An Interesting Story by Hiss Ruby
G. Powell. "a Tallahassee Girl"

mansion, gray with age, and alas! fast
decaying. Now, however, it had its old
time splendor. and was bright with
Christmas cheer.
Although the window panes were
square and quite diminutive, there was
nothing else small about the house. It's
large rooms with their high cealings.
the massive folding doors, the immense
open fireplaces, and the fluted columns
between which fitted merry-hearted
girls with their gay escorts, all bespoke
the hospitality for which the house had
ever been famous Holly wreaths showed
between snowy lace curtains, and clus-
tiers of mistletoe hung from the chanda-
hers. A house party was in progress
and the rooms echoed with laughter
and song.
Il was Christmas eve, the older crowd
was gathered about a blazing log fire
in the sitting room, cracking nuts and
jokes, while two or three couples among
younger set were waltzing. A tall dark
haired girl, who had been seated in an
alcOve, rose and left the room, and
several of the older heads turned-an
unconscious tribute to her graceful car
riRge They smiled at each other as a
DfOttu bIOuluCAC Oh yOuAiB WIN
long, lazy strides, Jagged after her.
ELISE, l say-Elise, where are you
going?"
She stopped short and turned to meet
his eyes With her own dark, teasing
ones that he both loved and feared.
How we'll she knew this, and how care
fully guarded them. Sometimes he
thought he detected sympathetic
glance; he was almost sure of q tender
heart mirrored in those eyes, but before
he could ever be quite certain, her long
lashes would fall, and when he looked
again they were laughing, unfathom-
able, battling as ever.
Let's go to see grandma, he sug-
That's just where l was going. Do
you think she would tell US about the
the ghost in yellow,
We can ask her,
They were already standing in the
open door Of room at the far end Of
the hall, q room lighted only by two
tall candles in some queer old caddle-
sticks and wood fire. An old lady sat
in front of the fire, her hands folded in
her lap, and her eyes resting dreamily
on the spluttering blaze, but her
thoughts far away. Such a sweet
peaceful face, wrinkled as it was, and
crowned by the snowy hair, and old
fashioned lace cap, that one could redi-
ly understand why all the young people
called her grandma She smiled
brightly at the intruders.
"Well, dearies, have you come to see
grandma? Ny how time fees; it seems
but few days ago that you both
would tOddle in here in your pinafOres,
to beg for ginger bread.
I'm sorry haven't any gidger-
bread for you tonight" she added,
whimsically.
Grandma, don't you remember how
we used to beg you to tell us the story
of the ghost in yellow, and you d always
say when you get old enough not to
let il make you afraid of the dark2'
"Ahd do you remember Barnard say
ing that he diden't believe in ghost, but
he believed in skeletOns?' y
Grandma's quivering laugh rang out
as merrily as a girls.
~ ont you tell us about the ghost in
yellow, tonight?"
Elise had dropped down on hassock
very near the brass fender, and the fire.
light worked magic with her face. as
the old lady passed her hand caressing-
ly over the glossy black hair
THE yellow ghost she began mus
ingly-"the yellow ghost is very much
like you, Elise; she had black hair and
black eyes, but more of an olive COM
pleXlOn than y,u have She was a
Spanish girl. Years agO-nearly hun
dred years, Wi eli this house was not
much more tnan frame structure,
partly log--and there were only a few
like II, for we mad to have the lumber
sawed by haHL-my grandmother had
q Ward--FelIce. Her father was a
Spanish officer at the garrison at st.
Marks; he died there and she was left
in my grandmother charge. She was
devoat Catholic and loyal Spanard,
high strung and emotional. Feiice had
a lover at st. Marks, q dashing cava-
laier, stFikinly handsome in his glitter
ING uniform and clinkering silver spurs.
Gov. Callava, the Spanish governor,
was very kind TO this young orphan
girl, who lived at my grandfathers. He
had befriended her soldier had prom
ised him a commission and many acres
OF land in Florida, IL they would make
their home here. But Fekce had
strange forebOdings.
Florida, Il 10 not for my people it
Is for the Americans" she would say,
and often, after returning home, from
n visit and talk 70 the governor, her
face was troubled, and she was very
quiet for hours at time, Grooming over
some strange old Spanish songs as she