Evening star., 1909-04-17

in the loft of his fathers barn, an ad-
miring group Of small boys gathered
about hirh. The elements were right Tor
a ghost story, for a drizzling rain had
set in after sundown. Each member Of
the group had had his supper, had done
his Chores" and was in proper mind for
the "thriller" which Artie had that day
promised them would be on deck IN
the evening at headquarters; namely,
the loft of the barn.
LAS I was walking through the grave
yard last night at midnight" began Ar
tie. his voice low and husky Qor Artie
was a born actor. I heard a slight move
ment behind me. and fearing to turn
round-for felt sure there was some un-
earthly thing pursuing mel hastened
my footsteps. closing my eyes so as to
shut out the sight Of the tombs, for
they made me nervous" AS Artie paused
preston his first words had made on his
hearers. a slow, low rapping was plainly
heard on the side Of the barn, apparent
ly just outside on the wall beneath the
cave. Artie glanced In the direction of
the noise and said: Il wonder who's out
there doing that?"
maybe it's ghost?" whispered one of
the credulous, his little voice full Of
fear, but also denoting pleased anticipa-
ton. for although he feared ghosts.
spooks. goblins and SO forth, he had a
longing to just hear one for himself. and
while In the company of Artie he felt
somewhat secure Listen to its fingers
scratch"' And the small urchin drew
But the noise ceased. and Artie. a trifie
nervous for a moment, became himself
again and made ready to continue his
story. But Questioner interrupted him.
Say Artie, what was you going through
the graveyard at night for?" came the
whispered query from another of the
credulous, who also sought closer con-
tact with Artie, drawing himself beside
him for safety, for the wind was moan
ing about the barn and making such
strange noises.
Il 60 through the graveyard to keep
me brave" proudly asserted Artie. but
his courage was given jolt at the very
moment for again came the sound of
tapping on the barn wall. Say, what
can that be?" asked Artie, rising and
looking into the different corners Of the
loft. Somebody's trying to play joke
on me, / reckon
gated one of the small boys, his face a
bit pale and his manner nervous. May
be it's one of them graveyard ghosts.
Artie!"
to be a hoax-mere apparitions Of his
own fancy-was on the point OF declaring
there were no such things, when he
caught himself in time, and continued IN
his deception on yes; r,;a may1e ceares s Gds his
throat. wishing that he had some way OF
knowing what caused the tapping. which
had now ceased.
Say" Artie declared, after moment s
pause, Suppose we go into my house. l
can tell the story in my room, and we'll
be-be-
The small boys had huddled about Ar
tie some SO frightened that they could
not speak. and AL wondering whether or
not they would reach their own homes
alive and all wishing they had not ven
tured out on this night of all nights TO
listen to a ghost story. for on such nights
likely to pounce upon any one of them
and carry him to some terrible cave OF
the look of fright in the face of Artie.
who always before had assured them
that though he had seen ghosts. spooks;
goblins, he had never yet felt moment
of fear. their own apprenens'ons srew,
and not one of them would move an