Clearwater Republican., 1921-10-21

/ Grace hesitated when they stood
before the ancient structure Every
thing looked 50 gloomy and silent
and forebodng But she could not
draw back now, especially when Beth
was manifesting anxiety to begin the
exploration.
SO into the haunted house they
went, gaining access through win
dow, because the doors were boarded
up. Inside 1t was quite dark, for
foliage covered most of the windows
Grace felt herself trembling.
The girls went through several
rooms. feeling their way along dun
geon-like passages. In one of these
Railways Beth stumbled upon a board
leaning against a wall, and it fell
with clatter At the same instant,
it seemed, they heard step resound
on the floor above.
whats that" quavered Grace,
shivering. She placed hand on
Beth's shoulder and felt the latter
trembling, too.
Don't ask me-" whispered Beth.
Maybe It's the spoOk."
They stood still, listening, and the
noise above was repeated.
'Let's-let's 60" suggested Grace.
I'm willing" her Chum agreed.
They retraced their steps toward the
room they had just left. 1t was the
room In which a staircase mounted to
the upper story. AS they moved along
the passage, the girls heard a step on
the stairs-a perfectly distinct step.
They stopped again, wondering what
to do next; for certainly they did not
want to meet the spook or whatever 1t
was.
There 1t was again-the step, and 1t
was repeated consistently. Somebody
or something was descending the
stairs.
The girls turned again and moved
swiftly in the other direction. But
they could not find door. Evidently
the hall had only one means Of egress.
They crouched close against the
wall, while their hearts beat loudly.
Tap. tap, tap. The noise was grow
ing nearer.
Grace's foot touched the board that
had fallen, and 1t moved with a scrap
ing sound. The footsteps ceased for a
moment, then were renewed.
Chills coursed up and down Grace's
back, and her teeth chartered. The
steps were on the floor now. Evidently
the spook had descended the stairs and
was walking across the floor. Yes.
and-horrors! 1t was making for the
hallway.
Grace was convinced now. Her ex-
perience was having more weight than
all of Ralph's arguments. Why did
she make fun Of him? He was right
in his ideas, and she only wished he
was with her now.
Tap, tap, tap. The noise became
more distinct, then right at the hall
door 1t ceased. Grace tried to make
herself believe she had imagined the
sound, but 1t was renewed while her
mind was following that trend.
Yes, there 1t was, right at the door
way. She looked with fascinated eyes,
and watched tall shape appear in
the passage. She wanted to scream,
but her tongue chung to the root Of her
mouth. Beth was shaking violently.
Then the spook spoke, in hollow,
wavering voice:
"Who's there? Answer me, I say
Who's there?"
The spook advanced along the hall,
moving slowly and making right for
the girls. Finally Grace mastered her
vocal powers.
''It's-it's just u.s." she said weakly.
The spook stopped, and scraped
something against the wall. A match
flared in its hand and illuminated its
countenance. Ralph Porter stood there,
looking very lifelike but pale.
"You startled me-" he said shakily.
II came to investigate and I heard
you down here, and came down to
find out what was going on. l
thought you were a spook, and frank
ly, / was scared to death, guess I'm
through with this spook business.
Let's 60 to your house and talk about
the weather or something"
'.That suits me-" said Grace