The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-11-18

and he proceeded to make himself q
sandwich. You see, live the simple
life out here. I've got an old couple
to look after the place-Mr. and Mrs.
Hargis. Mrs. Hargis Is an excellent
cook-but to ask her to stay awake
till midnight would be fiendtsh cruelty.
So she leaves me q lunch in the ice
box, and goes quietly off to bed. I'll
give you some berries for breakfast
such as you don't often get in New
York-and the cream-wait till you try
1t! Have a cigar?
mo-" said, sitting down very con-
tent with the world, I've got my pipe"
and proceeded to fill up.
Godfrey took down his own pipe from
the mantle shelf and sat down opposite
me. A moment later, two puffs OF
smoke circled toward the ceiling.
Now" 1 said, looking at him, go
ahead and tell me about it."
Godfrey watched a smoke ring whirl
and break before he answered.
About 10 days ago." he began, Just
at midnight, l happened to glance out
OF my bedroom window, as was turn
ing in. and caught a glimpse Of queer
hgIt apparently sinking into the tree
tops. I thought nothing OF it; but two
nights later. at exactly the same time,
saw 1t again. / watched for IL the
next night, and again saw it-just for
an instant, you understand, as 1t
formed high in the air and started
downward. The next night / was up
tree and saw more of 1t; but 1t was
not until night before last that found
the place from which the whole spec
tacle could be seen. The trees are
pretty thick all around here, and I
doubt IL there is any other place from
which those two figures would be Wis
ible."
Then there were two figures" I
said, for had begun to think that my
eyes had deceived me.
There certainly WERE"
Standing in space?"
"Oh, no; standing on a very sub
stantial roof"
toned. why should that light de-
scend every midnight? What is the
light, anyway
That's what I've brought you out
here to find out. You've got four clear
days ahead OF you-and I'll be at your
disposal from midnight on, If you
happen to need me-"
idea about it," 1 persisted. AT least
you know whose roof those figures
were standing on?"
Yes, I know that. The roof belongs
to a man named Worthington Vaughan.
Ever hear Of him?"
shook my head.
Neither had l." said Godfrey. up
to the time 1 took this place. Even yet,
I don't know very much. He's the last
Of an old family. who made their money
in real estate, and are supposed to
have kept most of 1t. He's a widower
with one daughter. His wife died about
10 years ago, and since then he has
been sort of recluse, and has the
reputation Of being queer. He has been
abroad a good deal, and 1t Is only dur
ing the last year that he has lived con-
tinuously at this place next door,
which Is called Elmhurst. That's about
all I've been able to find out. He GER
tainly lives retired life, for his place
has a 12-foot wall around it, and no
visitors need apply"
How do you know?"
II tried to make a neighborly call
yesterday, and wasn't admitted. Mr..
Vaughan was engaged Getting ready
for his regular midnight hocus- pocus,
perhaps!"
took a meditative puff or two.
rs 1t hocus -pocus. Godfrey"
asked, at last. IF it is, it's a mighty
artistic piece of work"
And If 1t is-'t hocus- pocus, what Is
it?" Godfrey retorted. "A spiritual
manifestation?
confess had no answer ready.
Ideas which seem reasonable enough
surd sometimes when definitely clothed
with words.
There are just two possibilities"
Godfrey went on. Either it's hocus-
pocus, or 1t isn't. If 1t is, 1t is done for
some purpose. Two men don't go out
on a roof every night at midnight and
fire off Roman candle and wave their
arms around, just for the fun Of the
thing"
1T wasn't Roman candle" pointed
out. "A Roman candle Is visible when
it's going up, and bursts and vanishes
at the top of its flight. That light didn't
behave that way at all. 1t formed high
In the air, remained there stationary
for a moment, gradually grew brighter,
and then started to descend. 1t didn't
fall. 1t came down slowly, and at an
even rate of speed. And 1t didn't drift
away before the breeze, as 1t would
have done If 1t had been merely float
ing in the air. 1t descended in a straight
line. 1t gave me the impression Of
moving as though a will actuated it
as though it had a distinct purpose.
There was something uncanny about
i'll"
Godfrey nodded thoughtful agree
ment.
Il have felt that" he said, "and I
admit that the behavior OF the light Is
extraordinary. But that doesn't prove
It supernatural. I don't believe In the
supernatural. Especially I don't be-
lieve that any two mortals could ar
range with the heavenly powers to
make a demonstration like that every
night at midnight for their benefit
That's too absurd"