The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-04-15

the adjoining room. "Ah! the curtain
is about to go up," he murmured dip
PANTY
He stumbled to chair and sat
down and waited Soon, with sud-
den snap, his lamp went out. ''Now,
how the dickens was that done?' he
exclaimed, nervously, as, with eyes
growing accustomed to the darkness,
he watched the rectangle of the win
dows slowly grow into existence
against the moonlight night. Hello,
what now"
A white vapor filled the room, bill
lowing between him and the window;
there was an appalling shrek, and
.womans form darted through the
smoke, threw itself against the win
dow panes-and vanished.
by George!" Wilmot cried, excited
ly. Here, you! Come back here.
ghost!'
There was an instant's pause; then
the white form flashed out again and
stood facing him. Almost as sudden
ly his self-possession returned to him.
Mason-Lady DOLLY presume" he
said.
The figure bowed gravely.
Thank you. am Jack Wilmot. I
hope you do not object to my being
here" He tried to take her hand.
but his fingers ratified on the window
pane and the figure vanished.
Il beg your pardon" he exclaimed.
Il didn't understand the rules Of the
game. If you'll come back, I'll try
not to offend again. See, am sitting
down now, out of reach"
The figure flashed out again. The
moonlight had grown stronger, and he
could descry the features, white AZ
death, yet comely, and note the clus-
tering white hair, the wellmolded
arms. the delicate figure.
"Ah. thank you: thank you!" he
exclaimed. But won't you sit down?
really can't"
The ghosts lips quivered. "Begone."
she said, in menacing tones. "The
presence of strangers in this, my an
cestral home, disturbs my rest. When
they come l must rise and drive them
forth. Until then l rest in dreamless
sleep, lulled by the changing seasons
rs they spin over my lonely grave"
Wilmots eyes twinkled. THAT SEN
timent is worthy of the age in which
you used to live, Lady Dolly" he said.
'It's JUST the sort of thing the novels
| tell us our grand-daddies used to say.
I'll have more confidence in those old
| love-tales hereafter. But can't you
! materialize for just an hour or so!
| The chickens have all gone to roost.
and there won't be any cock-crow to
bother you for quite while. Can't
you, now? It's rather unsatisfactory
talking to an impalpable reflection ON
smoke, you know"
The ghost shook her head BE
ware, rash mortal" she said. Won
know not what you ask. Hayhap MY
touch would burn deep il 0 your veTv
bone. Besides, 1t isn't proper"
Wilmot chuckled. ~ didn't know
ghosts required chaperones," he said.
Don't you ever reach years of discre-
ton on the-the other side? Don't
you think you might venture?"
The chill lines of the figures face
relaxed, and her lips trembled with
something very like smile. "Of my
self may not appear in the flesh."
she said. But, perchance, some po-
tent force might sway me from my
sphere"
AS the last word passed her lips, he
stepped forward and held out his
hand. But, as before, it passed through
the vapor and rang on the glass.
Then, with a snap, the figure disap-
peared, and an instant later, turning,
he saw her at his elbow, sweeping
him an elaborate curtsy in the moon
| light. Il am here" she said
Something-perhaps it was the
moon, high in the heavens, full, glori-
ous-made Wilmot's heart beat faster.
"How-how lovely you are" he STAN
mered. MANY man must have borne
| a sad heart all his days after you
died. Tell me, did any follow to seek
| you on that silent shore whittier you
/ went so young?"
The ghost shook her head MEN
did not die for love in my time" she
said. do they in yours?"
Half unconsciously Wilmot took her
hands in his. Not often, l am afraid"
he said. 'Oftener they are held back
by other ties. When they are not, the
world says they are fools or mad. So,
too, it says of those who love at first
sight. But there is love that springs
to life, fullborn at moments mo-
tice-a love stronger than death,
stronger than the grave. Dolly, Dolly,
can you not live again, for me?"
Slowly she lifted her face to his,
and even by the moonbeams he could
see the lovelight shining in her eyes.
Closer he drew her until his lips were
pressed to hers-no ghost, no materi-
allied spirit. but living, breathing
woman, warm with life.
For an instant he held her, then
she pushed him back with all the
strength of her slender wrists. "Oh!"
she walled, I've betr-va5- nv trust.
l can never fr'e'
and poor G.
home for