The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1914-06-12

even old men, il we We're together.
~ was thinking thus and gazing into
the glowing masses of the coal fire
which illumined the room in dull
red glow. l had extinguished the
lamps. for l am fond Of the freight.
AS / sat there l heard the great clock
in the hall slowly chime the hour Of
midnight.
Il closed my eyes YEARLY and open
ed them again to see the form of my
brother Alvin standing in the corner
yonder, there in the angle by the fire
place. l recognized him at once, al
though his hair was as white as my
own. He was gazing ut me with such
remorse in his eyes that involuntarily
l stretched out my hands to him, and
he instantly vanished"
''What was your object in seeking
our advice il you are convinced that it
really is the ghost of your brother?"
asked Harley gently.
The old man looked up eagerly. Yet,
when he spoke it was timidly. as ii
fearful of ridicule: II wanted to be
sure-sure-positive that it was Alvin
and not Il hallucination. l have heard
of you and your cleverness in unrav
cling mysteries. and so ! have appeal
join ME next Sunday evening and wait
for the coming of my brother AlvinY
with pleasure" agreed Harley.
AS they rose to take their departure
Jack Rogers surveyed the large room
with speculative eyes that roved from
the rich bindings in the bookcases that
lined all the wallis save the south wall
where the fireplace was.
MAY ask what is on the other side
Of that wall?' inquired Jack suddenly,
pointing to the fireplace.
1.-THE house next door," returned Mr..
Boyce promptly. lit is empty now
and has been for a year or so. 1t be-
longs to me-in fact, fell heir to 1t
when my brother died. 1t is much out
of repair. and haven't had the heart
to put it in order again. Let it fall to
pieces. even, as am doing!'
'Thank YOU" said Jack Rogers
quietly as they babe good afternoon
W MI. IoyNV.
Promptly at 9 o'clock on Sunday
evening Robert Harley and John Rog-
ers were ushered into Mr.. Boyce's IL
brnry. He came forward to meet them,
looking very animated and smiling.
81 suppose you boys think I'm half
cracked" he remarked as they drew
around the fire, ''but wait and see!"
s,,Iy DN<
heartily; "Tm sure that we shall find
there is excellent foundation for your
belief that your brother has appeared
to you.'
"I'm sure I hope your predictions
will come true" said Donald Boyce.
The hours passed swiftly. Mr.. Boyc'
! had fund Of anecdOte to draw upon
| and after servant had served deli
cious cold supper on table draw
close to the fire they lighted cigars
| and sat back waiting for the strik
ing Of the midnight hour The serv
ants retired, and the house grew still
| Now and then from the street outside
came the mufiled rumble Of wheels
Now and then Il coal snapped in thu
| crate. The three men fell into silence
Each one was watching that dim cor
ner by the fireplace for the coming o.
| Alvin Boyce.
Just as the clock in the hall strucl
= the first note of midnight Mr. Boyc'
stretched out his hand and extinguisll
ed the electric lamps, so that they sa
in a half circle of red freight. AS TIN
last chime died Donald Boyce Leaned
forward and clutched Bob Harley
arm.
There was no need to point tOwar'
that corner, for all three of them wer
staring hard at the tall, bent figure tina
Z appeared for an instant in the dee
shadow of the angle OF the fireplace
4 AS if aware that alien eyes Wer
+ watching it, there came flash
l. white, and the vision vanished.
"Ah, he has gone! Did you Sc
: him?" demanded Mr.. Boyce all in on
J breath.
e The two men nodded, Harley rathe
e helplessly, for he was not accuStOne
. to dealing with spirits. But JAG
!. Rogers surprised his companions b
= reaching the corner In three quo
II strides please turn on the lights
Mr. Boyce," he requested, land the
J" come here
:, They found him with his hand
y the glass knob Of narrow door ina
opened into a chimney cupboard. III
- outside OF the door was stained
-, =, match the dark mahogany woodWor
~ :, of the room. AS Jack opened the clo
=. ct door he tapped the white ph'nte
=, panels of the inside Of the door.
- 1.-The cupboard is empty said NJ
Boyce patiently for he did not approx
= of this search for the gentle ghost
his loved brother
:. 81 know it is now. but momel
~ ago it had an occupant, saId JAG
e. rapidly. "Please follow me- Mr. Boyc
:" and do not be surprised If you me-
iu vour hrother-in the fieSh--fOr it ms