The Washington times., 1907-08-25

VI AAtE RNQ Uf Atta tMt tieAAtNAAANA N-AtNas
which bedroom was it?" asked two
or three voices together.
The narrator shook mis- head. THAT
I can't tell vou; but the story goes
that Jerry stu haunts this house. and
my father used to declare positively
that the last time lie sleIt here the
ghost of Jerry Bundler lowered itself
from the top Of his ped and tried 10
strange him"
''Thatn do" said an uneasy voice.
Il wish you'd thought to ask your
father which bedroom it was
what for?" inquired the old gen
Il Aman.
well. I should take care not to
sleep in It. that's all. - said the voice,
shortly.
There's nothing to fear. said the
other Il don't believe for a moment
that ghosts could really hurt one. In
fact, my father used 10 confess that
It vas only the Hrpleasantness OF the
thing that upset him, and that for
all practical purposes JerTy'sl fingers
might have been made OF cottonwood
for all the harm they could do"
That's all very fine" said the last
speaker again: "a ghost story is a
ghost story, sir; but when a gentle
man tells a tale of a ghost in the
house in which one IS going ID sleep,
1 call II most ungentlemanly!"
Pooh! NONSENSE" said the old gen
tleman, rising; ghosts can't hurt you.
For my own part. / should rather like
TO see one Good night, gentlemen
Good night" said the others. And
l only hope JeTryn pay you a visit
added the nervous man as the door
closed.
Bring some more whisky. George
said stout commercial; y want keep
ing up when the talk turns this way
Shall I light the gas, MIR. MAJ
cOlm2" said George
No; the fires very comfortable,
sail the traveller. Now, geneltmen,
any OF you know any mOre?'
7 think we've had enough" said
another man. I'VE shall be thinking
we sse spirits next. and we're not all
Ike the old gentleman who's Just
gone"
"Old huTnbus!" said Hirst I should
like to put him TO the test Suppose
I dress up as Jerry Bundler ana go
and give him chance OF displaying
his oourage?'
"BravOr' said Malcolm, huskily,
drowning one OF two faint Noes. 90
Just for tho joke. gentlemen"
NO. nol Drop it. Hirst." said an
other man
only for the Joke" said Hlrst.
somewhat eagerly. I've got some
things upstairs in which I am going 10
play in the Rivals knee breaches,
buckles, and all that sort Of thing.
It's a rare chance. II you'll wait "A
bit III give you q full-dress rehearsal,
entitled Jerry Bundler; or, The Noe
turnsI Stranger
You won't brighten u.s." said the
commercial. with q husky laugh
Il don't know about that said
Hirst. sharply: its g Questio not act
ing, that's all I'm pretty good, amt
L somerzg"
"Oh. you're all rtght-fsr an Rnaa-
teur," said his friend. with laugh.
IN bet you a level SOW. you don't
friEhten me-" said the stout traveller.
s.Doner' said Hirst- TN take the
bet 70 brighten you first and the old
gentleman afterwards. These gentle
men shah be the judges"
another man, because we're prepared
for you; but you'd better leave the
OLD man alone. It's dangerous play"
well, III try you first" said Hirst,
sprtnEins up. mo gas. mind
He ran lightly upstairs TO his room,
leaving the others, most Of whom had
been driaking somewhat freely, 10
wraugle about his proceedings. Il
ended ir two OF them going to bed.
He's crazy on acting" said semerS,
lighting his pipe Thinks he's the
equal of anybody almost II doesn't
matter With US, but won't let him
go to the old man. And he won't
mind so long as he gets an opportunity
OF acting TO US"
well. I hope he'll hurry up said
Malcolm. yawning; it's after twelve
now
Nearly half an hour passed. NAL
colin drew HIS watch from his pocket
and was busy winding It. when George.
the waiter, who had been sent on an
errand to the bar, burst suddenly in
10 the room and rushed toward them
'SE's comm, gentlemen he said
breathlessly.
why, you're frightened. George"
said the stout commercial with a
chuCkle-
TT was the suddenness Of it, said
George, sheepishly: and besides,
didn't look for seem i'm In the bar.
There's only a glimmer OF light there,
and 3 was sitting on the floor behind
the bar. I nearly trod on I'm"
"Oh, you'll never make a man,
George" said Malcolm.
We'll. it took me unawares," said