Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-22
DAILY NOVELETTE,
SPOOKS
BY Pearl Il. Meyer

AVA door, down che path and around the
barn. From there she darted through
the meadow and scrambled over the
fence into neighbor's field, where
stood an old tumble down barn used
now only to store hay. Its yawning en-
trance did not appear exactly inviting in
the twilight, but Maibelle had no time
TO waste on such thoughts-she knew
that her white dress would bctray her
and she was determined not to be found.
Just inside the doorway was an up.
turned crate. She seated herself and
pecrcd cautiously out.
Around the house she had just left
came her father with young man.
They were heading straight for the
stable.
A scornful little srxle curled Mai
bellies pretty lips. She nodded sagely.
Dads new tr6tter." she murmured.
"Thatll take fifteen minutes at least.
Then the chickens. Goodness knows
how long they will hang over the fence
admiring the new litter of pigs. After
that, if there isn't anything else left
for Dad to show him, he will casually
inquire if l am at home. Being left to
the last, I'm the least important one on
the place, suppose.
The familiar landscape faded slowly
as night closed down. The wind whis-
pered around the dilapidated building
The nearby brook murmured a mysteri-
Gus message. 1t grew COOL
NIaibelle shivered. The shuttle of her
feet as they moved on the dusty, straw
Uttered floor sounded abnormally loud.
Could it be? She sat motionless, her
ears straining to catch the slightest
sound Yes. There was rustic in the
bay behind her. Her heart seemed to
stop beating for an instant. Then she
drew n relieved breath. Undoubtedly it
was the wind blowing through the nu-
merous cracks in the boards.
Suddenly she recalled what had hap
nened in that barn when she was Il
child. A chill ran down her spine. Old
John, the white bearded dwarf, had
hanged himself there.
He had been queer old creature who
had gone about muttering to himself.
Moibelle remembered how she used to
hide when she saw him coming, bent
over, not much taller than A>good sized
child. his thin white beard almost
sweeping the ground.
Something moved again slowly, eau :
tiously, in the hay. MaibeIle clutched
the side of the door with shaking
hond. and turned her head until she
couId see over her shoulder. For an
instant everything went black before
her ewes. A thing was there, swayine
under a beam above the piled hay
swayipc back and forth as though the
wind impelled it. The meager light re-
mining from the day was not strone
enough to plainly expose it, nor coui'
the oncreeping night succeed in hiding
if Back and forth. back and forth II
swayed--a head with long white
beard
Maibelle sprang to her feet. Ine
rustling in the hay sounded again, loua
er. Followed an ear piercing shrek
whether from her own lips or behind
ber Maibelle could not tell. When she
came to herself she was flying in leaps
and bounds over the home meadow. Shf
did not even recall climbing the fence
All she knew was that behind her IL
tbe awfdl dimness of the barn hune
old Johns head, and that before her--
oh. knight to the rescue-was n certall
tall young man into whose open arms
she was running.
Trembling, with quivering breath, he'
| l.. ALnH eh
him. she let her head fall against hi'
encircling coat sleeve. There was onI!
one course to follow in such case
and the young man proved he was qult'
equal to the occasion.
''Whatcver sent you there, Maibelle
after dark?' he queried finally. -,
thought all the time you were out VIII
that Clifford chap. | was waiting for
chance to get a word in with you
dad
"Old Johns head" stammered Mai
belle in a muffied voice. Its hanging
in the barn ~
"What?" The young man started tt
smile. thought better of it, and tucked
her arm snugly into his. Lets go baci
and see what it is" he suggested,
Maibelle did not move. IN never g.
back" she declared.
"All right, you stay here. III g.
alone"
"No you don't" cried Maibelle
clinging bravely to his arm. "Tak
me with you"
This time Maibelle knew when sh
went over the fence-she was lifted over
The tail young man advanced in tn
direction of the barn door. Mabel
following close at his heels. But befor
they could reach-it they heard sud
den capering of small hoofs on tn
floor. A long drawn out "Mah ah all
: ah'' rent the evening stiffness.
Maibelle buried her face once NOR
, on the young mans inviting coat sleeve
"Oh, my goodness" she gasped, chOk
ing with a sudden mirth, "a goat !"
The next complete noyelette-"p
g..