Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-31
The Fanshawe Ghost
Continued from page 8

sun dial. 1t altogether a romantic spot,
| one we'll fitted for tryst, natural or super
| natural. Perhaps Valeska thought it too ro-
mantle: for after sitting with Astro for awhile
she rose and paced lmpatiently up and down.
| He did not try to keep her with him Her
nearness seemed almost dangerous to his con-
| centration of mind, to his watchfulness.
AT ten Q clock sound behind him attracted
| his attention. Naleska distance
| away, and he did not call her. but stole to the
small door IN the wall and looked out. What
he saw made him smile. He returned and,
with low whistle, called his assistant.
I'VE might learn some things from Gene
We've and John" he said little sadly, "even
| if we don't learn much about the ghost from
| them"
Have you seen them" she exclaimed.
They were bidding each other good night
at the stable door
Then. said Faleska. its my opinion that
| We'll see the ghost within quarter of an hour.
Let's sit down now and watch"
| They took their places on the bench again
| and her hand stole into his Was it the sug-
gestion she had received from the servants
lovemaking, did she beg in to fear the specter.
| With all his cleverness, Astro could not decide
But suddenly she sprang up, and now there
| was no doubt of her alarm.
There it ISL she exclaimed in a harsh
whisper, pointing toward the shrubbery at the
south wall
THERE it was at last, indeed,-a seemingly
sheeted form, bearing something that
looked like little child in its arms, stealing
down the path! 1t approached them noise
leSsly. In the shadow of the trees it showed
| too indistinct' for Identification at the dis
lance Astro rose abruptly and took a step
toward the house when Immediately the thing
sped rapidly away. Astro broke into run ;
but when he came to the house nothing was
to be seen.
He went back to reassure Valeska who
stood staring, trembling with excitement but
without fear. Hardly had he reached her,
however when her voice rang out again.
There On the roof" she cried
Astro looked and beheld the figure gliding
swiftly along the top of the building. The vi
sion lasted only moment, then disappeared.
He spoke sharply. 'Valeska, run up to Miss
want her to this
Ealeska ran up the brick walk passed
through door IN the middle of the south wall,
and entered the house The halls had been
lett lighted and she found her way easily to
Miss Fanshawe's room. Here she knocked
the door, at first softly, then with increasing
vehemence. Trying the door, she found it
locked. No answered.
She flew down stairs again, and was about
to go for Astro when sound attracted her
attention. Down the hall, toward the back
stairs, she saw something some one pass and
disappear. Her thoughts flew to Genevieve.
and, with a new desire to awaken Miss Fan
shave, she went up stairs again and knocked.
chamber,-a rattle, a chair being moved and
in few moments the door was partly opened
and Miss Fanshawe looked out. At the same
| moment Genevieve appeared in the upper hall
For a moment Faleska could not decide
what to say. If, as she suspected, Genevieve
had been, in some strange way, impersonating
the phantom, she dared not tell of it before
her. She slipped inside Miss Fanshawes room,
which was not lighted.
1--WE have seen the ghost, and Astro wished
you to come out; but it is undoubtedly too
late now. / wish your door had been unlocked
so might have awakened you without making
SO much noise
Miss Fanshawe wrung her hands. Her long
black hair streamed over her white night dress !;
the costume and her aspect of extreme dis
array made her figure almost grotesque.
1T terrible, terrible!" she moaned. 81
don't see why should be tortured SO. l don't
want to see it, | couldn't bear it'' She broke
into violent fit of sobbng
Genevieve knocked at the door and entered.
"I'H attend to her, miss, she said to Valeska.
I'm used to her when she has the Mysteries
and l can calm her down if you'll only leave
u.s."
There seemed nothing better to do, and
Valeska went down stairs and passed into the
garden again. Astro strobe up to her, a lighted
cigar in his mouth
"Well,"
Naleska narrated what had happened.
We mustn't be caught that way again.
| Ill ask her leave the door 1lD1ocked