The Cairo bulletin., 1909-02-04

exclaimed, nervously, as, with eyes
growing accustomed to the darkness
he watched the rectangle OF the win
dows slowly grow into existence
against he moonlight night. Hello
what now"
A white vapor filled the room, bill
lowing between him and the window;
there was an appalling shrek, and
woman's form darted through th'
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,
and he rose and bowed. "Miss-er-
Mason-Lady DOLLY presume" he
said.
The figure bowed grayely.
Thank you. am Jack Wilmot. |
hope you do not object TO my being
here" He tried 20 take her hand,
but his fingers ratified on the window.
pane and the figure vanished.
II beg your pardon" he exclaimed
II didn't understand the rules of the
game. II you'll come back. III 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 as
death, yet comely, and note the clus.
tering white hair, the well-molded
arms, the delicate figure.
"Ah, thank you! thank you!" he
exclaimed. But won't you sit down?
l really can't"
The ghosts lips quivered. "Begone."
she said, in meaacing tones. The
presence of strangers in this. my an
cestral home, disturbs my rest. When
they come | must rise and drive them
forth. Until then | rest in dreamless
sleep, lulled by the changing seasons
as they spin over my lonely grave"
Wlmots 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
Ill have more confidence in those old
love-tales hereafter. But cant 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 You
know not what you ask. Mayhap my
touch would burn deep into your very
bone. Besides, IT isn't proper"
Wilmot chuckled. Il didn't know
ghosts required chapcrones." 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 a 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 snal, the figure disap. |
poared, and an instant later, turning, |
he saw her at his elbow, sweeping |
him an elaborate curtsy in the moon |
light II am here" she said
Somethlng-perhaps It was the
moon high IN TIA. heavens. fun. glori. |
Wilmots heart beat faster. |
"iIow-how lovely you are he STAN
mered. MANY a man must have borne |
a sad heart all his days after you
died. Tell me, did '.ny follow to seek |
you on that silent shore whittier you
went so young"
The ghost shook her head Men
did moi die FOR love in my time" she
said DO they Ia p"
Half unconsciously Wilmot took her
hands in his. Not often. am afraid"
be 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
10 life iull-born al moments no.
icc-a love stronger than death.
stronger than the grave Dolly. Dolly,
an YOU not live again, for mcg"
Slowly she lifted her face 10 his.
md even By the mtonbeams he could
zee the lovelight shining Ia her eyes
loser he drew her Gntl his lips were
PRESSED to hcrs-no ghost no maieti-
ilized spirit but living. breathing |
Woman warm with life
For AN instant he held her. thcn
he pushed him back with all the
strength ~ her slender wrists oh"
he walled. I've betrayed my trust.
can never friehicn you away now.
nd poor granddad will lose his old
ZONE for good and all
Lose IL, Not a biz Not unless
e is too proud TO live with us. Miss
Dorothy Mason Vernon
You know me- Won knew me All /