Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1920-03-16
THE GHOST CHASER
BY c. 3. BROOKS

"And they say--'-here the voice
lowered to a tragic whisper.
Three pairs Of eyes-blue. brown,
hazel--widened with fear.
Not so Claire Berkeley's. Had she
not ionged for excitement, adyenturei
II had been so lonely and monotonous.
especially since Al Trevor had left
without one word. Surely there must
he some mistake. She had overheard
his sister whispering that he had ar
rived from overseas.
"And they say" whispered Amy TIRE
yor, that late In the evening II Is seen
In the upper back room. The light u
carries lllumlfes It's long. white form.
I'd go In II Tom would go, too. II
might be great fun"
The girls eyes flashed their excite
ment.
"rom go with you" sneered Claire
Berkeley. "Why I'd like nothing bet
ter than TO 20 with our own girls. AS
IL we depended on men for everything
we undertake" And the pretty chin
tilted in the air.
The tlmid ones. inspired by Clalre's
brave assertion, promised to accom-
pany the two girls on condition that
they be allowed 10 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
, ANY and Claire brnved the way ahead
! and the three tlmld ones followed
b quakingy.
G Il saw a spcck OF light" irem
I bled Sadie Deanforth. ooh, dear
e Il don't dare go on"
= II wish brother Bob were here
uuaked Betty Seers.
Suddenly Amy slackened her gait
e. "Clairel IL believe Sadie did see
{ iomethlng. do myself. Look!'
"a light! / don't see thing hut
- freely. What little towards you are
Now listen. Wen go back now; bu
I next time we shall enter. How man.
| viii promlse7 Are you afraid"
| "Why, Of course I'll not back ou'
Claire" said Amy.
And you three timid onesT witt
cred their leader mockingly.
| "We-we-of course Wen co." the
| hnltngly agreed.
| "Rrave girlsw laughed Claire.
/ The next evening the three fea
ful girls followed their brave leader
| to the very door Of the haunted hous
The long, black hedge seemed to col
| zeal black, spOoky shapes.
| "I-don't dare goat least not In
| the back room. Would you min
| Clairef" began Amy
| "No, wouldn't mind going In alon
| I'm bound to chase that ghost. /
| not afraid" boasted the girl.
- But even as she forged ahead u
- rlri felt herself tremble. She won
. never give in-oh, no,
She CROPPED her way to the opposl
side Of the room and began fumbiil
for the doorknob
III AT every tulnDle lulht ki""H' '''"
from the corner where the girls sto
huddled. When the branch of an Q
lilac tree tapped the window |
groans deepened.
ssh" warned Claire.
"Claire's voice trembles, too" VIII
pered one Of the girls.
Amy nudged her into fearful silen'
As Claire pushed wide the awful do
the girls saw n small bright light OF
lining tall white form. Then the dc
closed on their friend.
The girls stood quaking, and W
eyes covered.
1t seemed hours before they dared
speak or to peer through the da
ness.
Where was Claire so long-had a
thing happened to herr
Not one dared to move. Sudde'
they heard peals Of laughter, VIII
frightened them still more.
Then the door opened, and ia
light fell full upon them.
ITS all right, girls, I'm the gho'
laughed Al Trevor in happy trel
Ions voice. "You can all testify q
4. ft.,. ,,.n in fopt glp