The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-31

rooms. anu then A fdlfu StSdktk4tiS 1t%U~ ing those curtains back.
 This was too much for Esther. She srrieked and tried to rim away. but ahs caught her foot in the hole and in an- other moment found herself pumping down the flight of steps. which felt any thing but ghostlv. Into the cellar. Irene being too startled to prevent her falling. At the same moment Uncle Win stepped from behind the curtains and cried out gaily;
 April Focl:"
 But when he advanced to the centre of the room and saw the hole and the fight of steps just as he had described it all to the twins, he felt as if tho joke was on him. and he had to rub his eyes to make sure he was not dreaming
 STRUGGLING TO ESCAPE
 In the meantime Esther was strag- gling to escape from two wl.ite-robed figures who had caught her as she fell, and Irene. seeing her plight. was shrieking desperately down the hole:
 By my halidome. bid thee cone up."
 Uncle win ran to the hole and, thrustIng a threatening fist down it. yelleda
 "I'n wallop you both good for this. Let her go''
 You can't waliop ghosts" rernon- strated Irene. ''and if you anger them by threats. they may make of with Esther"
 Uncle win looked at his niece In amazement. Even yet. apparently. she did not realize that she and Esther were the victims oE two different and distinct April F'ool jokes.
 In fact Irene was bending over the hole and with perfect good faith repeat ing the incantation Uncle Will had giv- en her.
 This time ghostly voice replied: Marry we will. an the maid will stop struggling"
 Esther" cried Irene. "the ghosts won't harm you. Keep still and they win let you come up."
 At this juncture. however, dim light was seen at the far corner of the cellar, and in anything but ghostly voice ora of the white-robed figures mIttered to the other; "Skiddoo for us. Here comes the furnace man.
 Esther stopped struggling at once.
 'Joe and Jaek.'' she said, disgustedly; T thought so.'
 "April Fool!' the boys managed to whisper before they fled for safety.
 "oh. oh. ohi" cried Irene in great dis appointment. as she saw the ghostly fig ures disappear, leaving Esther to climb the steps alone. where did they go? Will they come baek?"
 SCENTS TROUBLE
 Not if f.father catches them,' panted Esther, as she neared the top, Of the ladder, +and if he sees the hole they We made in his hardwood floor there will be Irene strengthened herself up.
 Do you mean to tell me that those ghosts were only Joe and Jaex with ''of course" replied Esther. Don't you know this is April Fools Dayg
 had forgotten IL" answered Irene, sadly. And, Uncle Will" she turned upon him accusingly, you told us to look for the ghosts here because you knew the boys had made that hole and were coming up today to scare us"
 NO honestly" replied Uncle Win, "I didn't know a thing. about it; it was just coincidence, that's all"
 ''Then--then--" hope renewed itself in Irene's childish hearu-"there is q
 Uncle Will shook his head sadly, "rhere was," he emphasized, but you know how easily ulted they are. I don't believe hela ger come here again after th9 doing what they did today"
 Uncle Will the boys replace the board il caken out of the floor, the ave them. and all of them E maid to see that the rug was never removed from the aapfrp Of the room when father was around, and Irene soon forgot the April Fool joke the boys had played upon her But she never walked over the centre of that floor without a thrill or without repeating the incan- tation Uncle Win had giV.n her, ''II inv halldome, I bid thee cotne up."
 Rut-the ghost never came. .-....,