Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-12-28
THE HAUNTED
PORTRAIT
How the Ghost Was
Unearthed
By CLARISSA MACKE

The Baker homestead stood on a hill
and alone. 1t was a bleak looking
place III winter and after David Bakers
death was suffered to fall into semi
decay. David Bakers nephew, Edward,
went there occasionally In the autumn
to use the place for hunting box.
One autumn he persuaded his friend
James Laidlaw to go there with him.
There was portrait Of Nicholas Baker
hanging on the wall, and during an
evening, after a hunt the following
conversation occurred between the two
men while they smoked:
DO you really mean that you wish
to sell your uncle's portraitr asked
Laidlaw incredulOusly.
Eyes" returned Baker shortly.
zone doesn't usually sell family por-
traits" limited his friend.
Baker lighted another cigar and push
ed the box toward Laidlaw.
"Of course l would not dream Of
such q thing" he apologized, "but'-
He glanced quickly ut the great oil
painting over the mantelpiece.
"ButY prompted Laidlaw.
1.-The COMPOUNDED thing has got on
my nerves!"
"HOwT'
1T watches me-"
"All portraits appear to do that"
II know what you mean, Jim, but
this is different The eyes not only
watch me continually, but they change
expression. Sometimes they positively
glare ut me murderously." He shiv-
cred.
Better close the place and so away"
II did last spring. but haven't been
able to keep even caretaker here, and
then, you know. came that series Of
robberies in the neighborhood, and 80
I'm rather sticking around to keep an
eye on my own property"
"You say you can't keep any serv-
ants? You mean they believe the place
Is hauntedT'
That's the idea. Men and maids
declare they hear footsteps and Kissing
whispers and all that rot"
You haven't seen or heard anything
out Of the ordinaryY' asked Laidlaw.
Nothing except the eyes,"
Laidlaw glanced up at the portrait
Of Nicholas Baker. 1t represented the
head and shoulders Of a mild eyed old
gentleman dressed correctly in black.
In the dimming light Of the library
the snowy shirt front and collar and
the abundant white hair and whiskers
stood out sharply.
The gray eyes gazed benignly upon
the two men.
II can't imagine your mild uncle,
Nicholas. looking fierce" smiled Laid
law. looking ut Ned Baker.
Baker was staring flxedly at the pOr-
trait. "LOok nOw!" he muttered be-
tween clinched teeth.
Laidlaw looked.
Good heavensr he gasped in aston
ishment.
Nicholas Bakers face still wore that
expression Of benevolent pity, but the
eyes were no longer gray and mild.
They were fiercely rolling in their
sockets-black. black as night. Baker
switched on the electric lamp. but the
eyes remained the same, flashing an
grily from one man to another.
"What do you make Of that?" de-
manded Baker. poking the fire into a
blaze.
Laidlaw studied the glowing end of
his cigar. His hand shook a little, and
he was angry with himself for feeling
that thrill Of horror.
He looked up at the portrait, intend
Ing to stare it out Of countenance, but
what he saw was pair Of kindly
gray eyes regarding him flxedly.
1.-The deuce! he exploded, leaping
to his feet. "What ais the thingr'
Baker smiled YEARLY.
ats got you. too, chr
Laidlaw sank back In his chair and
stared ut the fire