Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-05-20

"Sh-sh."
"Sh, yourself; you're making more noise
with your shishlng than I am with my
talking" II was Jerry Patton that spoke
to May Belle. 1t was after half-past
10 and they had just put the last finishing
touches to the ghost" Yellow eyes shone
gruesomeiy out from a weird white head
Just as though they were not pocket flash
lights, packed securely by means of old
hair ribbons and wash cloths into a pill
low case. A long, lean body stretched awe
somely upward Just as though It wasn't
a mop handle covered with a sheet
A creaky step sounded in the hall It
grew further and further away, then last
faint squeak told the girls that Miss Jones
the night chaperon had made her final
round of inspection for the night
Jerry opened the door cautiously and
peeked up and down the long empty hall.
Come on" she whispered, and out they
crept, May Belle,> Jerry, Kathleen Jane
Cox, Mary and the everlagging Tubby.
Up the fire tower they STOLE moccasins and
woolly slippers deadening tell-tae cautious
footsteps, then down the third floor corridor
they proceeded until finally they came to
the small hall that led to the door of Mercy
Annes room. The privacy of this inner
hall protected them from danger of dscov-
cry. over the door was huge transom.
May Belle, stealthily visiting the room
earlier in the evening had based her plans
largely on this transom. She had the fore
thought to put chair carelessly and con-
veniently nearby in order that 1t might be
on hand to assist in the nights plans
Now she placed it securely at the door.
Are you ready?" she whispered in as soft
tone as her hgh-pltched voice could COM
mand.
YES" returned Jerry who had been ap-
pointed chief ghost bearer.
Begin then" continued May Belle, turn
ing to Tubby, and with that Tubby began
to tap softly on the wall. This movement
was at once to slowly awaken Mercy Anne
and to arouse in her country girl heart
feelings of fear and apprehension Tubby
ceased-a faint sound as of a restless sleep
er came from within.
"She's waking up snickered May Belle.
Keep 1t up, Tub" More restless, uncertain
noises foated through the keyhoe. "Now's
the time" tragicaly announced May Belle.
Gimme the ghost; I'll hoist it." Up on the
chair she stepped and UP with her went
the ghost. The face of 1t peered grue-
somely through the transom, just as they
had planned. oh, the hazing party was
indeed a success
One bound from within announced the
upheaval of Mercy Anne's bedclothes "She's
scared to DEATH" chuclied May Belle, and
May Belle wasn't the only giggler. Jerry
and Tubby and the rest were quite enjoying
the thought of Mercy Anne's fright.
All was qoiet within. I'll bet she's under
the bed called down May Belle from the
heights of the chair, and at the thought she
went into such silent Mysteries that it was
all she could do to hold up the ghost. "Ill
bet"-May Belle stopped short.
A Queer clanking sound seemed to come
from the direction of the main corridor.
What is ,that?" whispered kathleen. ITS
its nothing" came back Jerry in voice
that she tried hard to keep the tremble out
of; ''it's shutter banging-or maybe a
10000 low siren wall from the hall in