The St. Mary banner., 1921-08-06

Grace hesitated when they stood
before the ancient structure. Every
thing looked so gloomy and silent
and foreboding: 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-llke passages. In one OF these
Railways Beth stumbled upon board
Leaning against wall, and 1t fell
With a clatter At the same instant,
It seemed, they heard step resound
3n the floor above.
"What's 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 go" suggested Grace.
"Tm 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 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 It 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 scrap
ing sound The footsteps ceased for a
moment, then were renewed.
Chills coursed up and down Grace's S
back. and her teeth chattered. The
>teps 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
H!I of Ralphs arguments. Why dld
she make fun Of him? He was right
II. his ideas, and she only wished ne
vas with her now.
Tap, tap, tap. The noise became
ore distinct, then right at the hall
door it ceased. Grace tried to make
herself believe she had imagined the
und but it was renewed while her
mind was following that trend.
Yes, there it was, right at the door
way. She looked with fascinated eyes
and watched tall shape appear III
the passage. She wanted to scream
but her tongue clung to the roof OF hel
mouth. Beth was shaking violently
Then the spook spoke, in hollow
waverlng voice:
"Who's there? Answer me, l say
Who's thereT'
The spook advanced along the hall
moving slowly and making right fol
the girls. Finally Grace mastered hel
vocal powers.
Tt's-it's just u.s." she said weakly
The spook stopped, and scrapet
something against the wall. A mattel
f'ared in it's hand and Illuminated 1t:
countenance Ralph Porter stood there
looking very lifelike but pale.
you startled me-" he said shakily
~ came to investigate and l heart
YOU down here, and came down II
find out what was going on.
thought you were spook, and frank
". was scared to death, l guess I'm
through with this spook business
Let's go to your house and talk abou
about the weather or something.
THAT suits me-" said Grace.