Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-11-18

ana ne proceeded to make himself a
sandwich. You see, l 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 fiendish cruelty.
So she leaves me a lunch in the ice
box, and goes quietly off to bed. rll
give you some berries for breakfast
such as you don't often get in New
York-and the cream-wait till you try
it! Have a cigar"
NO" 1 said, sitting down very con
tent with the world, I've got my pipe
and l proceeded to fill up.
Godfrey took down his own pipe from
the mantle shelf and sat down opposite
me. A later. two puffs of
smoke circled toward the ceiling.
Now 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 1 was turn
ing in, and caught a glimpse of a queer
light apparently sinking into the tree
tops. l thought nothing Of it; but two
nights later, at exactly the same time,
q ooN ~ osoliil. L MSlSllca lOI 4 lllo
next night. and again saw it-just for
an instant, you understand, as it
formed high in the air and started
downward. The next night I was up
a tree and saw more of it.: but it was
not until night before last that l found
the place from which the whole spec
tacle could be seen. The trees are
pretty thick all around here. and I
doubt If there is any other place from
which those two figures would be Wis
ible."
Then there were two figures!" I
said, for l had begun to think that my
eyes had deceived me.
There certainly We're"
standing in space"
oh, no.; standing on a very sub
stantial roof
But what is it all about?" I ques-
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-"
But you must have some sort Of
idea about It," I persisted. AT least
you know whose roof those figures
were standing on?"
Yes, I know that. The roof belongs
to a mar named Worthington Vaughan.
Ever hear OF him."
I shook my head.
Neither had l." said Godfrey. up
to the time took this place. Even yet,
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 a sort Of recluse, and has the
| ran11tatiOn nf hafnp nIlaar Ia hoe hna,,
abroad a good deal, n 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 a retired life, for his place
visitors need apply"
How do you know"
Il tried to make q neighborly call
yesterday, and wasn't admitted. Mr..
Vaughan was engaged. Getting ready
for his regular midnight hocus-pocus,
p~erhaps!"
l took a meditative puff or two.
"Is it hocus-pocus. Godfrey?' I
asked. at last. IF 1T Is, It's a mighty
artistic piece of work"
and If it isn't hocus-pocus. what is
it" Godfrey retorted. "A spiritual
manifestation"
I confess / had no answer ready.
Ideas which seem reasonable enough
when put dimly to oneself, become abb
surd sometimes when definitely clothed
with words.
There are just two possibilities"
Godfrey went on. Either it's hocus-
pocus, or it isn't. II it is, it is done for
some Two men don't go out
on a roof every night at midnight and
fire off a Roman candle and wave their
arms around, Just for the fun Of the
thing"
1t wasn't a Roman candle,"I pointed
out. "A Roman candle is visible when
it's going up, and bursts and vanishes
at the top Of it's fight. 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. it came down slowly, and at an
even rate Of speed. And it didn't drift
away before the breeze, as it would
nave done If 1t had boon merely float
ing in the air. 1t descended in a straight
moving as though a will %actuated it
as though it had a distinct purpose.
There was something uncanny about
it,"
Godfrey nodded thoughtful agree
ment.
II have felt that" he said. "and 1
admit that the behavior Of the light is
extraordinary. But that doesn't prove
it supernatural. I don't believe in the
supernatural. Especially / don't be-
lieve that any two mortals could ar
range with the heavenly powers to
make a demonstration like tha every
night al midnight for their benefit.
That's too absurd"