The Topeka state journal., 1922-06-30
EOening Story
A Ghost in His House.
BY CLARISSA MACKIE.


It had been an unlucky day for
Jefferson Deane; first of all It had
rained, a gray drizzle that turned
the roads to mud and the footpaths
to slippery ooze. The night had set
tied down after a short twilight in
which Jefferson finished his work
about his little house and then started
next door to call on Rosabel Moore.
OF course there was nothing unlucky
about being RoSabelS accepted suitor-
only somehow they had disagreed
about a very trivial matter, and Rosa
bel had returned his engagement ring,
and Jefferson had accepted it in ST.
lence and gone off very glumly. In
stead of going directly to his own
house next door he tramped thru the
ooze to the river just to feel the fresh
cold wind on his heated face. The
bank was steep and slippery-when
they picked him up toward midnight
he was suffering agonies from a
wrenched knee and shoulder.
''In bed for you'll" declared old DR..
Jones when they reached the unten-
anted house where the bachelor lived
alone. 81 will send Sally Smith to
take care of you-tr she isn't down with
the misry in her back!" The old
doctor cared for Jefferson himself,
undressed him and ministered to him
and bandaged his sprains; then he left
some medicine and waited for the old
COlOreQ woman 10 come.
There isn't another nurse in the
village to spare" explained the doc
tor. as he prepared to leave; what
with the influenza and the measles
and mumps. I have a case in nearly
every house"
Il hope I shan't be tied down here
very long" muttered Jefferson. his
white face staring up at the kindly
doctor. I've got a lot Of young
chickens coming along-and they
7 49,
fixed for the night and my poultry
houses are tight and dry"
"One of the neighbors will come
along and help you out, Jeff-Rosa-
bers folks will look after your chick
ems"
Jefferson turned his head away
and there was a look in his young
face that the doctor understood
had he not attended all these peo-
pie all their days?
don't you worry about little chicks
Sally has brung hundreds of little
chicks thru wuss weather than this!"
] Jefferson went to sleep, listening to-
Sally believed all folks were children
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. His room was the little
chamber off the sitting room, which
his parents had occupied and which
he, in his loneliness, clung to as a
tangible part of his life.
Every morning at o'clock Sally
lad numbered into the room bearing
his breakfast on a huge tray. This
morning she came creeping in, her
shaking hands holding a plate and a
cup and saucer. Here's yo' toas an
SalIy's got 'er go back home-dat
miZry'S come after mei''
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'll just tell Maggie
Martin to bring me in three meals a
day and she can feed the chickens"
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 tick
ing its slow round of the hours. saw
the sun move across the window,
heard the birds singing outside and
heard an excited fluttering among his
feathered flock.
he muttered restlessly. No chance
to make money ou of the poultry
business this year-but I guess I
won't need it," He frowned and
dozed. with that frown on his
anxious young face. He dreamed
that Rosabel kissed him, and awoke
to find the cat on the bed blinking
curiously at g. tray beside the bed,
where a smoking hot dinner was ar
ranged with dainty care.
jefferson dragged himself to a
sitting posture and smiled wanly.
DO you believe in ghosts, Peter?"
he asked the cat. "for I'll wager that
Maggie Martin never cooked this meal
no sir-e-e-e!" He attacked the de-
liciously broiled steak, the creamed
potatoes, the hot muffins, the pot of
coffee and the generous piece of apple
pie. "Old Sally must have come back"
he unused, for he had not tasted such
a meal since his mothers death.