The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-10-23


manded Mr., Piner.
Dead" repeated her husband,
starting violently.
Mrs. Pinner, with little sniff, took
up the paper and read slowly, inter
rupted only by the broken eiacula-
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 rufian is be-
lieved to be at sea"
Il wish e was" said Mr.. Pinner,
mournfully. Il wish e was anywhere
but ere. The idea o. making a delikit
man like that a policeman. Why, I
'ardly touched I'M"
Promise me you won't go out"
said his wife, tearfully.
"OutY 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 a
cab. Wot dye think want to so out
for?"
IT'S the drink as made you do IT,"
said his wife.
'1ll 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 nervous and over
wrought state that Mrs. Pinner was
almost as anxious as he was for the
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 1t was
a trap TO get him out. He also, with a
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 we're no signs OF any
thing unusual having occurred; but
when she entered the room she started
back with cry at the sight which
met her eyes. Mr.. Pinner was in a
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 hollow groan from the
cushion in reply.
What's the matter?" she cried, In
alarm. Whats the matter?"
I've seen IT," said Mr.. Pinner, In
trembling tones. I've seen ghost.
1 was Just peeping out of the winder
behind the blind when 1t went by"
Nonsense" said his wife.
His ghost" said Mr.. Pinner, re-
gaining a more natural attitude and
shivering violently, red whiskers,
white gloves and all. It's doing beat
up and down this street. l shall 90
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 expect to see 1t with its white
] IdCe SluCh up dEAH TIC WAA0CA 7P03S
staring in at me-"
You mustn't ave such fancies, !"
said his wife.
II see 1t as plain as see YOU" per
sisted the trembling fireman. 1T was
prancing up and down in Just the same
stuck-up way as 1t did when 1t was
alive"
aI'n 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?H 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"
4 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
". for the ghost of the red policeman
was plainly visible. Its lofty carriag'
of the head and pendulum-like swing
OF the arms were gone, and It wai
struggling In most fieshly manner t
lead a recalcitrant costermonger to th'
station. In the intervals of the wres
Ting bout it blew loudly upon
whistle.
Wonderful" said Mrs. PinneT
nervously. "Lifelike. / call It."
The fireman watched the crowd pas
up the road, and then he turned ant
regarded her.
Would you like to hear wh@ | cal
it?p he Numbered.
Not before the baby, Charlie,
quavered Mrs. Pinner, drawing back
The fireman regarded her silently
and his demeanor was SO alarminI
that she grabbed Charles Augusta
Pinner suddenly from his cradle an
held him In front OF her.
You've KEEP me here. said Mr.. Pr
, ner in voice which trembled with sell
pity, "for near three week. For thre
weeks I've wasted my time. my littl