The vidette. (Iuka, Tishomingo County, Miss.) 1912-1967, 1919-11-20
THE GHOST CHASER
BY c. >. BROOKS

lowered to tragic whisper.
Three pairs OF eyes-blue. brown
hazel-widened with fear.
Not so Claire Berkeley's. Had she
not ionged for excitement. adventurei
1t 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 II is seen
in the upper back room. The light II
carries illumines Its long, white form.
I'd go In If Tom would so, too. II
might be great fun"
The girls eyes flashed their excite
ment.
''Tom go with you" sneered Claire
Berkeley. "Whyl I'd like nothing bet
ter than TO go with our own girls. As
If we depended on men for everything
we undertake" And the pretty chin
tilted in the air.
The tlmid 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 timld ones followed
quakingly.
IL saw & speck of light" trem-
bled Sadie Deanforth. "O-oh, dearl
II don't dare go on"
81 wish brother Bob were here"
quaked Betty Seers.
Suddenly Amy slackened her gait.
"Caire! II believe Sadie did see
something. l do myself. Look -
"A light l don't see a thing but a
freely. What little towards you are
Now listen. Well go back now; but
next time we shall enter. How many
will promise? Are you afraidr'
"Why, of course I'll not back out,
Claire" said Amy.
And you three timid ones?" with
cred their leader mockingly.
"We-we-of course Wen go" they
haltingly agreed.
Brave girlsl" 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,
Clalre?" began Amy.
mo, wouldn't mind going In alone.
I'm bound to chase that ghost. I'm
not afraid" boosted the girl.
But even as she forged ahead the
girl felt herself tremble. She would
never give in--oh, no.
She CROPPED her way to the opposite
side of the room and began fumbling
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.
SSH" warned Claire.
"Claire's voice trembles, too" whis-
pered one of the girls.
Amy nudged her into fearful silence.
As Claire pushed wide the awful door,
the girls saw small bright light out
lining a tall white form. Then the door
closed on their friend.
The girls stood quaking, and with
eyes covered.
1t seemed hours before they dared to
speak or to peer through the dark
ness.
Where was Claire so long 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 fash
light fell full upon them.
"Its 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. I over
heard Amy tell of your ghostly trip.
To punish this fair maid, who blamed
me, substituted for the ghost. BY
the way, where is the original spook?"
vanished, Al. IT must have been
my ghost of unhappiness," unblushing-
~ admitted Claire.
"O-oh dear let's get out of this
gruesome, ghostly house." cried Amy
Trevor.
"Gruesome chided AL.
"Gruesome I" echoed Claire,