Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1916-06-09
A SPR|NCT|ME GHOST
By MARIAN PERCY.


Beach, looked as If he regretted the
unfortunate SAVIOR of popular preju-
dice, but was powerless to avert it.
I'VE couldn't rent it to good custo-
mer without hurting ourselves. If
this .other party wants to buy for
cash, I'd sell and call 1t good rid
dance"
But he only offers three thousand"
Norma demonstrated. That's perfect
ly absurd" Mr.. Judson smiled depre-
catingly, almost sadly. Property has
deprecated the last ten years, too,
this offer. It's cash, and you won't
have any agents commission to pay out
of 1t. 1t hasn't been occupied for two
years and the stories told are mighty
freakish. I'm not superstitious, Miss
Ewing, but l wouldn't live in it rent
free"
The gentleman in the seat forward
turned his afternoon paper. Norma
regarded the back of his head and
shoulders in perplexity. 1t was hard
trying to decide for herself without a
single person to ask advice from ex-
cepting stout, bland Mr.. Judson.
The property at Princess Beach had
come into her hands through inheri-
lance while she was teaching domestic
science in a college town of the mid
die West. And she had come East this
spring with real affection for it in
her heart because it had been her
grandparents home once upon time.
1t lay on a rise of ground above the
beach, facing Princess Bay, its lawns
sloping to the waters edge in terraces,
with long fight of concrete steps
leading from the veranda down to a
little boat landing.
The house itself was wide and hos
pitable. 1t was painted dull messy
green, and had many clambering vines
and several bay windows which jutted
out enticingly here and there. There
was small conservatory on the south
side next the big dining room, and
plenty of fruit trees and berry canes
up in the neglected garden. Altogeth-
or it seemed to suggest home to Nor
ma, and there were no ties to take her
back West.
She left the train at Princess Beach
and let Mr.. Judson go on to Totem
Vile, where he lived Perhaps this one
last look at the house might help her
to make up her mind, she thought.
The occupant of the seat ahead got off
af Ia OF 10 70
young man, with eyeglasses and de-
cidedly humorous mouth. He ap-
peared to be different type from 9th.
ers on the little jerky local train.
AS she turned down the road to the
beach. he spoke to her. 1t was about
her house He had overheard Mr.. Jud
sons remarks, and he knew the house
too; knew all about the ghost rumor
He himself had not the slightest an
tipathy to ghosts, it seemed. He was
looking for a house on the waterfront
for the summer for himself and his
grandfather. If she cared to close the
deal then and there, he would take il
for 5000 for the season.
"Grandfather's bully old sport, and
crazy after the water. The crabbing's
fine from the old boat landing, ant
he'll potter around all summer long
happy as a clam. We've been pals
ever since / was in rompers. Grand
mothers promised to look us over ev
cry now and then to be sure we keel
out of mischief She likes the city
best on account of her clubs and com
mittees and different interests"
They went over the old house to
gether Norma had never penetrated
tenant did, leaving her down on the
wide veranda looking toward the sea
When he came back he had a whim
steal smile and a twinkle in his eyes
behind their glasses.
81 wouldn't say a word about tn,
house being occupied, Miss Ewing. L
might scare away our ghost, and
think l can lay trap for him"
Norma laughed at the time, withou
catching the significance of his words
1t seemed so good to get the old plac,
Off her hands for the summer at
good rental that she had almost for
got the ghost.
The next week she had a lette
from her tenant, Lane Abbott. II,
had moved down quietly into the OLE
house. Grandfather was having tn,
time of his life planning a melon patel
and small garden. Nobody seemed Il
realize they had moved in as yet. H
had used an oil stove instead of build
ing any fires. and had used the woo'
path to the station.
Two letters came from Mr.. Judsol
urging immediate action on the sal
of the property. Norma wrote bacl
that she had not quite decided we
what was best to do.
Another letter from Abbott brough
amusement and some enlightenment
He had been quietly making inquire
at the local stores about the Ewin
family ghost, and had been assured
was visible presence which had bee
witnessed by many passers-by an
neighbors. 1t appeared to prefer tn
old cupola, probably, Abbott sugges