Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-04-09

to the cracking blaze.
II never believed In ghosts-until
last year." he said quietly.
"What happened last year?" Shades
tone was skeptlcal.
II saw 4 ghost"
where had you been dlningT
laughed Slade.
II hadn't dined at all. came down
to the Elms quite unexpectedly.
wanted to look up some papers that |
knew TO be In the library. The house
had bcew closed all summer, and at
this time even the caretaker was away
for a few days.
"My plan was to dine at the village
Inn, go up to the Elms. spend the even
ing searching for the papers. sleep In
my old room and take the first train
TO town after breakfast. My train
was several hours late. and when we
arrived In Elmville the Inn was shut
up for the night. II you are acquaint-
ed with our village boniface you will
understand that for neither love nor
money or aud lang syne' would he
open his doors to a guest after mid
night. So II meant dinnerlcss tramp
up to the house.
at was nearly o'clock when ! en-.
tered the avenue. and l was surprised
to find the iron gates OF the drive wide
open. That was against my orders.
sit was dark night. The stars
shone brightly, and young moon
threw thin silver veil OF light in the
open spaces. As came In sight Of
the house stopped still in my tracks"
you may not believe me. John. but
my house was blaze of light from
basement to cupola. and from behind
the lighted windows came the strains
Of an orchestra. while forms hoated TO
and fro In swaying rhythm TO the
waltz melody.
"As l stood rooted to the spot the
church clock In the village struck once.
and as II by magic the music ceased
and all motion stopped behind the thin
curtains. An instant later every light
in the house died out as II extinguish-
ed by some mighty breath. ran up
the steps and fitted my key In the
great lock. II yielded. and the heavy
door swung outward TO my touch.
~ threw ray OF light about the
great entrance hall and reached for
the button to switch on the electric
lights. The button clicked without re-
Spouse. Again and again ! tried, but
In vain.
"a search of the drawing room and
library revealed the same condition.
The current was shut or and probably
had been since tho departure Of the
caretaker.
~ lighted the large oil lamp on the
library table. II was an easy matter
to dig out the documents wanted
and store them into my leather bag,
AS ! set the bag on the floor ! saw
lying on the Turkish rug n white rose,
fresh and fragrant rs II just plucked.
This was no earthly blossom ! de
cided as laid II before me on the tn
BILE. And then had another shock.
for almost under my hand and in the
very spot on which had placed my
bag when entering the room was
small lace handkerchief. Across one
corner was embroidered In tiny letters
a girls name"
Gilbert blew n cloud OF smoke that
obscurcd his face John Slade leaned
forward in his chair.
"And the name-the girls Manner he
asked quickly.
"viola-just VIOLA" said Gilbert
dreamily.
"That Is not all OF the story" said
Slade impatlcntly. go on. old man."
mo; that Is not all. ! turned to
the mantelpiece and leaned my head
against the high shelf. trying to solve
the mystery Of my house. for to my
knowledge no woman save the care
taker. an old black nanny. had dark
ened-or shall ! say brightenedf-my
doors for several years.
"When turned back TO the table
the handkerchief was gone.
with hardly a thought as to whether
was seeking shadow or substance ]
thrust the rose ia my pocket. and.
swapping on my pocket hashllght. ]
hastened into the hall. There was a
CLEAN OF white IN the distance. and !
pursued H. II licked around corner
and disappeared up a small spiral
staircase that led TO the second floor
"When reached the top OF the
stairs the bit OF white became a wo-
mans graceful form. with some ethc-
real garment OF filmy stun floating be.
hind her. And as followed seemed
10 be walking among violets.
"Down the grand staircase she van
ishcd. this time with little clicking
heels on the polished floor. held her
steadily in my ray OF light aud was
after her like fash. We crossed the
drawing room. and then she disnp
peared through the paneled door that
leads into the west gallery-you know
that long. glass inclosed gallery that
my father used as a winter parlori
She few down the length. and ! hoped
20 catch her AT the end. but nj the
door leading Into the garden she
turned her face toward me for one In
slant. and. by Jove. John. she was
the loyeliest girl ever laid eyes upon
and you know don't care for wo'