The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-03-28

yard In the world are whistling pas
our windows. Should we not rejoice
We have them safely locked outside
ale! There are no ghosts in here
to make us shiver-and-sha
The sentence that began so gliblN
trailed off in a slow crescendo, ending
abruptly. Ranjab was holding the
| lighted taper for her cigarette. Al
she spoke her eyes we're lifted to his
| dark, saturnine face. She was saying
| there were no ghosts, when his eyes
suddenly fastened on hers. In spite
OF herself her voice rose In response
to the curious dread that chilled her
heart as she looked into the shining
mirrors above her. She shivered as II
in the presence of death! For an in
calculably brief period their gaze re-
mained fixed and steady, each reading
mystery. Then the Hindu lowered
his heavy lashes and moved away
The little by-scene did not go unno-
ticed by the others, although its mean.
ing was lost.
There's nothing to be afraid of,
Yvonne." said Brood, pressing the
hand, which trembled in his. Your
imagination carries you long way.
Are you really afraid OF ghosts?"
She answered in deep. solemn
voice that carried conviction. Il be
-, hA hanH
come back TO us, not to fit about, as
we are told by superstition, but to
lodge-actually to dwell-inside these
warm living bodies of ours. They
come and go at will Sometimes We
feel that they are there, but-ah. who
knows? Their souls may conquer ours
and 20 on inhabiting-"
"Never!" he exclaimed quickly, but
his eyes were full OF the wonder that
he felt
"Frederic!" she called imperatiyely.
Come away from that window"
The young man joined the group.
The sullen look in his face had given
way TO one of acute inquiry. The new
note in her voice produced a strange
effect upon him. II seemed like call
for help, a cry out of the darkness.
They were all playing for time. Not
one of them but who realized that
something sinister was attending their
little conclave, unseen but vital. Each
one knew that united they were safe,
each against the other! Lydia was
afraid because OF Brood's revelations
lvonne had sensed peril with the mes
sage delivered by Ranjab to Frederic
Frederic had come upstairs prepared
for rebellion against the caustic re
marks that were almost certain to
come from his father Brood was
afraid ot-hmssltl He was holding
himself in check with the greatest diff.
ticulty. He knew that the smallest
spark would create the explosion he
dreaded and yet courted. Restraint
lay heavily yet shiftingly upon all Of
them.
A long, reverbeTating roll of thun.
der ending in an ear-splitting crash
that seemed no farther away than the
window easement behind them
brought sharp eNclamations of terror
from the lips OF the two women. The
men, appalled,, started TO their feet.
Good Lord, that was close" cried
Frederic There was no sign of a
storm when we came in-iust steady,
gentle spring rain"
Il am frightened. shuddered
Yvonne. wide.eyed with fear. DO you
think"
There came another deafening crash
The glare filled the room with bril-
liant, greenish hue. Ranjab was
standing at the window. holding the
curtains apart while he peered upward
across the space that separated them
from the apartment building beyond
the court.
Take me home. Frederic!" cried
Lydla, frantiCally. She ran toward
the door.
Il will come" he exclaimed, as they
raced down the stairs Don't be