The Idaho recorder., 1922-08-11
GHOST
BY clARISSA MAckIE

rained, gray drIzzle had turned
me roads To mud and the footpaths
10 slippery ooze. The night had
settled down after a short twilight in
which jefferson finished his work
about his little house and then started
next door 10 call on R0sabeI Moore.
OF course there was nothing un-
lucky about being Rosabeps accepted
suitoT, only somehow they had dis
agreed about a very trivial matter.
and Eosabel had returned his engage
ment ring. and Jefferson had accepted
II In silence and gone OFF very glumly.
Instead OF going directly tn his own
house next door he tramped through
the ooze 10 the river just 10 feel the
fresh cold wind on his heated face
The bank was steep and slippery
when they picked him up toward mid
night he was suffering agonles from
wrenched knee and shoulder.
"In bed for you" declared old Doc
tor Jones when they reached the un-
tenanted house where the bachelor
lived alone. Il will send Sally Smith
to take care Of you II she isn't down
with the mis'ry in her back!'
Il hope | shan't be tied down here
very long" muttered jefferson, his
white face staring up at the kindly
doctor. I've got lot of young
chickens coming along-and they
need attention. Lucky thing they are
fixed for the night and my poultry
houses are tight and dry"
"Now you 90 TO sleep, honey, and
don't you worry about little chicks
Sally has brung hundreds of little
chicks through wuss weather than
this !" Jefferson went 10 sleep.
listening to her low grooming voice
for old Sally believed all folks were
children at heart and needed sooth-
ing at times-and she was right.
Jefferson had been In bed a week.
and not once had he had a glimpse
of Rosabel nor had he heard a word
about her.
Every morning at I o'clock Sally
had numbered into the room bear
ing his breakfast on huge tray.
This morning she came creeping in.
her shaking hands holding a plate and
cup and saucer. Here's yo' toas
an coffee, Mister Jeff. honey, but ole
Sally's got er go back home-dat
mizry's come after me-"
"Wait till the doctor comes, Sally.
and let him give you some medicine
and he will drive you home." urged
jefferson, and the old woman con-
sented.
Il can get along, doctor" said
Jefferson, ''if you'n just tell Maggie
Martin to bring me in three mcalN
day and she can feed the chick.
ems"
Maggie Martin Is the worst cook
in the world, but I'll send her down
don't take any chances, boy, and
I'll come down tonight and rub you
myself"
After their departure the time
dragged. He heard the clock ticking
its slow round Of the hours. saw the
sun move across the window, heard
the birds singing outside and heard
aD excited fiuttering among his
feathered flock.
II hope 1t isn't chicken hawks" :"
he muttered restlesSly. "No chance
10 make money out of the poultry
business this year-but guess
won't need it," lie frowned and
iozed, with that frown on his anxious
young face. He dreamed that Rosa
bel kissed him, and awoke to find
the cat on the bed blinking curiously
at tray beside the bed where a smok-
ing hot dinner was arranged with
dainty care.
Jefferson dragged himself to a sit
ting posture and smiled wanly.
DO you believe in ghosts, Peterr
he asked the cat. "for I'll wager that
Maggie Martin never cooked this
meal-no sir-e-e-e." He attacked the
deliciously broiled steak, the creamed
potatoes. the hot mullins. the pot of
coffee and the generous piece OF apple
pie "Old Sally must have come
back" he mused, for he had not
tasted such a meal since his mothers
death, excepting the times he had
dined at Rosabel Moore's
Couldn't be Mrs. Moore, because
she's In Boston" he argued. He de-
cided to watch and wait, but thGt
evening while he waited for the doc
tor he slept awhile and In that time
the tray vanished with its soiled dishes
and another took its place--R small
one. with toast and warm baked apples
and tea
There is ghost In my house" he
declared. Awhile ago he had heard
Rpsabel singing heard the notes
of her plano and her soft. tender
voice "She didn't have to sing Robin
AdaIr'." he muttered, with hot sting.
ing behind his closed eyelids.
Presently a faint light In the room
reused him. From his pillow he
could see the large mirror over the
bureau at the foot Of the bed. Re
fected in the mirror was the bedside
table and a girllsh form lifting the
tray. Good night. little sweetheart"
he whispered sadly.
"oh. jefferson. darling. I'm 90