The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1919-10-24
THE GHOST CHASER
BY G. 3. BROOKS.

"And they say-"--here the voice
lowered to a tragic whisper.
Three pairs Of eyes-blue. brown,
hazel--wldened with fear.
Not so Claire Berkeley's. Had she
not lOnged for excitement, adventure7
II had been so lonely and monotonous,
especially since AL Trevor had left
without one word. Surely there must
be some mistake. She had overheard
his sister whispering that he had ar
rived from overseas.
"And they say" whispered Amy Ire
vor. that late in the evening it is seen
In the upper back room. The light 1t
carries illumines its long, white form.
I'd go in II Tom would go, too. 1t
might be great fun"
The girls eyes flashed their excite
ment.
"Tom 20 with YOU" sneered Claire
Berkeley. why! I'd like nothing bet
ter than to 60 with our own girls. As
II We depended on men for everything
we undertake" And the pretty chin
tilted in the air.
The timid ones, inspired by Claire's
brave assertion, promised to. accom-
pany the two girls on condition that
they be allowed to follow In the rear.
1t was decided to Investigate one
evening and the following night to
enter the haunted house.
Thus one dark evening found five
weird, creeping forms silently tracing
their way along the deserted road.
Amy and Claire braved the way ahead,
and the three timid ones followed
quakingly.
IL saw a speck Of light" trem-
bled Sadie Deanforth. Ooh, dear!
IL don't dare 60 on"
II wish brother Bob were here"
quaked Betty Seers.
Suddenly Amy slackened her gait.
claire! II believe Sadie did see
something. / do myself. Look"
"A light 1 don't see a thing but a
| FREELY. What little towards you are!
Now listen. Well so back now; but
next time we shall enter. How many
| Will promise? Are you afraidT
"Why, OF course I'll not back out,
Clalre, Salu Amy.
| And you three timid ones" with.
cred their leader mockingly.
| "We--we--of course wen CO." they
haltingly agreed.
Brave girls !" laughed Claire.
The next evening the three fear
full girls followed their brave leaders
| to the very door Of the haunted house.
The long. black hedge seemed to con-
ceal black, spooky shapes.
"I-don't dare goat least, not Into
the back room. Would you mind.
Claire?" began Amy.
"No. wouldn't mind going in alone.
Tn bound to chase that ghost. I'm
not afraid" boosted the girl.
But even as she forged ahead tho
| girl felt herself tremble. She would
never give in-Oh, no.
She CROPPED her way to the opposite
side of the room and began funbling
| for the doorknob.
| At every tumble faint groans issued
| from the corner where the girls stood
huddled. When the branch Of an old
| lilac tree tapped the window the
| groans deepened.
| "Shw warned Claire.
| "Claire's voice trembles, too" wills
pered one of the girls.
| Amy nudged her into fearful silence.
AS Claire pushed wide the awful door,
the girls saw a small bright light out
lining tall white form. Then the door
closed on their friend.
The girls stood quaking, and with
eyes covered.
It seemed hours before they dared to
speak or to peer through the dark
ness.
Where was Claire so long-had any
thing happened to her?
Not one dared to move. Suddenly
they heard peals of laughter, which
frightened them still more.
Then the door opened, and flash
light fell full upon them.
"lts all right, girls, I'm the ghost
laughed AL Trevor In happy tremu
lous voice. "You can all testify that
Claire chased after me, in fact she fell
right into my arms
| "Why--Al Trevor. YOU"
Yes. girls, will confess. l over.
heard Amy tell Of your ghostly trip.
To punish this fair maid. who blamed
me, 1 substituted for the ghost. by
the way, where is the original spookF'
vanished. AL. II must have been
my ghost of unhappiness,' unblushing'
ly admitted Claire.
"O-oh dear let's get out of this
gruesome. ghostly house." cried Amy
Trevor.
"Gruesome !" chided AL.
"Gruesome !" echoed Claire.
They beamed at each other.
| copyright. 1919. Western Newspaper Union