The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-06-11

VISIONS OF GHOSTS
BY CATHERINE coope.

within It's vast grounds. spectral and
mysterious by night deserted and
dilapidated by day II was rendez-
vous Of ghosts by moonlight. a place
OF creeping things by the light OF
the sun.
The children ran fearsomely past
Il on their way homo from the village
school, while The adults refused to go
within the tumbledown gates for fear
OF the ghosts that tradition had placed
within the spacious grounds.
And yet the gardens we're most al
Turing with their assortment OF old
gnarled trees, low shrubbery. and riot
Gus vines that scrambled indiscrimi.
nately over roof top or garden wall.
When a slim wedge OF moon cast trail
Ing lights down from the starry
heavens the old haunted house as
sumed the splendors OF midnight
fairyland
That ghosts were seen there was az
firmed vigorously by most OF the VII
layers, including tho butcher. the
baker and the candlestick maker.
They, one and all. spoke in whispers
OF the spectral figures that seemed
to float In the very air about the old
gardens. OF late there had been ru-
mors OF weird music coming from DO
hind the barred windows and the
monotonous rhythmic chanting OF
voices
h.. kAI To- ..g
late penetrated tho village intellect
II was the young minister himself
who first whispered to his good wife
a tale OF duh music having reached
his ears as he passed by the haunted
house on his way to the parish church.
She In turn spread the story. and
more than ever the place was given
wide berth
II was the two strangers who were
stopping Mt the quaint village inn who
first expressed skepticism as TO the
actual existence OF the ghosts They
doubted most emphaticaIly the nightly
appearance OF the wraiths. but we're
far too tactful to express their opin.
ions save To one another
However, when the moon was nigh
In the heavens and the village had
gone to sleep. Calvin Blake and
Jimmy Rogers went out for a stroll.
They did not want to disturb the
peace OF the scene by getting out their
great touring car from the garage at
the inn. They went out on foot
nor even romance and tradition when
Jimmy clutched Calvin's arm and
turned white under the beams OF the
midnight moon
Look! by Jove. Blake-I had no
intoxicant for dinner. but swear ] see
a couple OF spooks there behind that
cfump OF bushes!"
Blake laughed uproariously, then
stopped suddenly
Two appalling spectacles arose from
the shrubbery. emitted weird. sepul-
chral groans. and vanished into the
very air. or so II seemed to the men
who beheld the flight
The two men. petrined for the mo-
ment with something akin 10 fear.
stood still and gazed blankiy at each
other
Are we sober" Blake was the first
to regain speech.
THAT is the question" laughed Ros.
ers. quickly recovering and feeling
the normal warmth OF his blood rush
ing back in his veins. II seem to
coubt our condition. Most certainly
we saw something moving in the
haunted garden and from my childhood
visions OF ghosts | take II that what
we have seen resembled spooks'
Very closely. II | ever see any
thing like a phantom again Il will be
me for the PLEDGE Let's go back
10 the inn"
In the broad sunlight OF the next
day the two skeptics viewed the appari-
ton OF the preceding night as freak
OF Imagination. They decided, never
theless. to watch again at midnight
There was sufficient OF adventure In
the situation TO appeal to them
we will go straight into the old
BaTutu lOnltul anu Wai'i bioh' out
gested, and slipped his revolver into
his pocket "Spooks may not possess
anything shootable. but I'll bet we can
give them a scare"
Accordingly they emerged from tho
inn at IL o'clock and made their way
toward the haunted house. Even
imaginary ghosts have way OF up
setting the nerves. and II was not
without quickly beating hearts that
Blake and Rogers entered the garden
and took seats on the ancient front
porch. They were hidden by masses
OF vines from the garden paths.
The night was dark and cloudy and
enhanced tho fearsome silence.
"Shucks," muttered Blake softly
'Ghostly meetings are not exactly
thrilling. feel groggy."
SSH" warned Rogers. Il heard q
noise!" His voice was a trifie husky
Ny spine feels as II cold water were
dripping from IT,"
Both men held their breath, A
wrath, making wild passes With ita
arms, came silently around the corner
of the veranda. A moment later II
was Joined by a second ghostly appari
ton. and the two moaning and wailins