Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-29
The Daily yNouelette
A Ghost in His House
By Ciorisso Mackis
TT HAD been an unlucky day for JEFF.

BY Ct0rfss0 M0cRss
TT HAD been an unlucky day for JEFF.
L ferson Deane; first Of all 1t hat
raincd, gray dizzle that turned tn
roads to mud and the footpaths Il
slippery ooze. The night had settled
down after q short twilight in which
Jefferson finished his work about hi
little house and then started next doo'
to call on Rosabel Moore. OF cours'
there was nothing unlucky about beint
Rosabel's accepted suitor, only some
how they had disagreed about very
trivial matter, and Rosabel had re.
turned his engagement ring. and Jefer.
son had accepted It in silence and gone
off very glumly. Instead OF going d.
rectly to his own house next door he
tramped through the oozc 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 to-
ward midnight he was suffering agonies
from q wrenched knee and shoulder.
I'm bed for you!" declared old DR..
Jones when they reached the untenanted
house where the bachelor lived alone.
II will send Sally Smith to take care
of you If she isn't down with the
mis'ry in her back!' The old doctor
cared for Jefferson himself, undressed
hi mand ministered to him and band
aged his sprains; then ne Lett some
medicine and waited Tor the old COL
| <A
There isn't another nurse In the
village to spare" explained the doctor.
II hope l 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
Zone Of the neighbors will come
along and help you out, Jeff-Rosabers g
folks will look after your chickens "
Now you go to sleep, honey, and
don't you worry about little CHICKS
Sally has brung hundreds of little chicks
through wuss Weather than this" JET
fersor went to sleep listening to hel
low grooming voice--for old Sally be.
Ilieved all folks were children at heart
and needed soothing 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 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 tangible
part of his life.
Every morning Mt Z o'clock Sally
had numbered into the room bearing his
breakfast on a huge tray. This morn
ing she came creeping In. her shakins
hands holding a plate and cup ant
Mister JEFF. honey, but ole Sally.
got 'er go back home-dat mizry's come
after mel"
"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 consented
II can get along, doctor" said JEFF
ferson. "If you'll just tell Maggie
Martin to bring me in three meals {
dav and she can feed the chickens"
Maggie Martin IS the worst cool
in the world, but I'll send her down
don't take any chances, boy, and II
come down tonight and rub you my
self"
| Alter tHelr uepdTtuTe tHc tlIN
dragged. He heard the clock tickinl
its slow round Of the hours. saw tn
sun move across the window, hear,
the birds singing outside and heard al
excited fluttering among his feathere'
. flock
IL hope it isn't chicken hawks" h
muttered restlessly. mo chance I
. make money out Of the poultry bushes
this year-but guess I won't nee
. it," He frowned and dozed. with tina
| frown on his anxious young face. II
dreamed that Rosabel kissed him. an
awoke to find the cnt on the bed blink
, ing curiously Mt a tray beside the bed
where smoking hot dinner was ar
5 ranged with dainty care.
Jefferson dragged himself to sit
, ting posture and smiled wanly.
'Do you believe In ghosts, Peter;'
3 he asked the cat, "for I'll wager tha
! Maggie Martin never cooked this mea
, no sir-e-e-e." He attacked the de
( liciously broiled steak, the creame
potatoes. the hot mullins. the pot Q
coffee and the generous piece of appl
r pie cold Sally must have come back,
I he mused. for he had not tasted sue
{ meal since his mothers death, cx
c cepting the times he had dined a
Rosabel Moore's.
Couldn't be Mrs. Moore, becaus
, she's in Boston," he argued. He de
I cided to watch and wait, but tha
o evening while he waited for the docto
, he slept u while and in that time I'll
tray vanished with its soiled dishes an
another took Its place-a small one
with toast and warm baked apples an
I ted
There is ghost in my house." h
: declared. 4 while ago he Lad hear
e Rosabel singing-he heard the note
r Of her piano and her soft tender voice
e ''She didn't have to sing 'Robi
\ Adair, " he muttered. with he
r singing behind his closed eyclids.
0 Presently faint light in the rool
reused him. From his pillow he coul
r see the large mirror over the burea
[ at the foot Of the bed. Reflected
the mirror was the bedside table an
: n Girlish form lifting the tray. Good
v night, little sweetheart" he whispcre
. sadly
9 "Oh. Jefferson, darling. I'm :
n sorry" sobbed Rosabel. kneeling besit
: the bed. II just couldn't keep ava
-because-I love you"