The silver messenger., 1908-12-15


emily.
manded Mr.. Piner
Dead" repeated her husband.
starting violently.
Mrs. Pinner, with little snlff' took
up the paper and read slowly inter
rupted only by the broken ejacula-
tions of her husband. She read
THE unfortunate policeman who
was assaulted the other day down at
Mapping passed away peacefully yes
terday evening in the arms of his
wife and family The ruflian Is be-
lieved to be at sea-"
Il wish e was, said Mr.. Pinner,
mournfully. 81 wish e was anywhere
but ere. The idea O making a delikit
man like that policeman. Why
'ardly touched i'm"
Promise me you won't go out
said his wife, tearfully.
"Out?" said Mr.. Pinner, energetical-
ly; "out? Dye think I'm mad, or
wot? I'm going to stay ere till the
ship sails, then I'm going down in
cab Wot dye think l want to go out
for?"
IT'S the drink as made you do it"
said his wife
"I'll never touch drop agin," af-
firmed Mr.. Pinner, shivering.
Slowly the days passed until at
length there were only two left, and
he was in such a nervous and over
wrought state that Mrs. Pinner was
hA fnr ha
date of departure. To comfort him
she read a paragraph from the paper
to the effect that the police had given
up the search in despair. Mr.. Pinner
shook his head at this, and said it was
a trap to get him out. He also, with
view of defeating the ends of justice,
set to work upon a hood for the per
ambulator.
He was employed on this when his
wife went out to do little shopping.
The house when she returned was
quiet, and there were no signs of any
thing unusual having occurred; but
when she entered the room she started
back with a cry at the sight which
met her eyes. Mr.. Pinner was in
crouching attitude on the sofa, his
face buried in the cushion, while one
leg waved spasmodically in the air.
Charlie" she cried; Charlie"
There was a hollow groan from the
cushion in reply.
whats the matter?" she cried, in
alarm. Whats the matters"
1--WE seen it," said Mr.. Pinner, in
trembling tones. 1--WE seen a ghost.
1 was just peeping out of the winder
behind the blind when it went by"
Nonsense" said his wife.
His ghost" said Mr.. Pinner, re-
gaining more natural attitude and
shivering violently, red whiskers,
white gloves and all. It's doing a beat
up and down this street. l shall go
mad. It's been by twice"
Imagination" said his wife, aghast
at this state of affairs.
I'm afraid of its coming for me"
said Mr. Pinner, staring wildly. Every
minnit l expect to see it with its white
face stuck up agin the winder-pane
staring in at me-"
You mustn't ave such fancies,"
said his wife
Il see it ae plain as l see you" per
sisted the trembling fireman. 1T was
prancing up and down in just the same
stuck-up way as it did when it was
alive"
I'll draw the blind down" said his
wife.
She crossed over to the window, and
was about to lower the blind when she
suddenly drew back with an involun-
tary exclamation.
Can you see it?" cried her husband
NO" said Mrs. Pinner, recovering
herself. Shut your eyes,
The fireman sprang to his feet.
Keep back" said his wife, don't
look"
Il must" said the fireman.
His wife threw herself upon him.
but he pushed her out of the way and
rushed to the window Then his jaw
dropped and he murmured incoherent-
ly, for the ghost of the red policeman
was plainly visible. It's lofty carriage
of the head and pendulum-like swing
OF the arms were gone, and it was
| struggling in most fleshly manner to
lead a recalcitrant costermonger to the
station. In the intervals of the wres-
tling bout it blew loudly upon a
whistle
Wonderful" said Mrs. Pinner,
nervously. "Lifelike, call it."
The fireman watched the crowd pass
up the road, and then he turned and
regarded her.
Would you like to hear what call
it?" he Numbered.
Not before the baby, Charlie"
quavered Mrs. Pinner drawing back
The fireman regarded her silently,
and his demeanor was so alarming
that she grabbed Charles Augustus
Pinner suddenly from his cradle and
held him in front of her.
You've KEEP me here" said Mr.. Pin.
ner, in voice which trembled with self
pity, for near three week. For three
weeks I've wasted my time. my little
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