The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-08-17
HOUSE OF THRILLS
BY MoLLIE MATHER
DoCToR HAMMOND smiled, a lool
lC0. l9ss. western Newspa Der unlon.l

81
said, land now / must be on my way
to Summerton. Have sick patient
there and tonight will decide whether
we must operate. Know anything
about the country hotel?"
Dalton Neil looked up eagerly.
"Summerton was my old home town.
Lived there until came to the city to
college, and later to practice medicine.
And loved the place so for Its home
memories; you understand that / have
kept the little house just as mother
left 1t. hoped that in the stress Of
busy life l should find the old thrill in
going out there occasionally to spend
be persuaded to stop In the country,
so when l go have to go alone. You
will be welcome to stop over In my
house, Bob; 1t Is always ready for oc-
cupancy. In case" Dial smiled, you
should not care to make your own
morning coffee, Mrs. Tyler, my next
door neighbor, will serve breakfast to
a friend of mine. just give her this
card Of Introduction" Doctor Dial
scribbled line on his visiting card.
Doctor Hammond accepted the card
gratefully.
Sounds most inviting" he returned.
II have always had a secret desire for
hidden village home where l might
run when practice became too strenu-
Gus. 1t is a pity that your wife does
not share your sentiment in this re-
spect." Doctor Hammond flashed his
winning smile. 81 shall marry a coun-
try-lovlng wife when the time comes"
'When 1t comes !" Dal Knocked. "Oh,
Indifferent one!" he went on. "And I
forgot another thrill My house on
the edge Of wood is said to be haunt
ed. An old resident of Summerton
told me on my last visit that white
clad young woman has been known to
roam at night through the vacated
rooms, moaning as she goes"
Bob laughed as he made his way to
his waiting car.
I'm afraid I'll be too sleepy to hear
the moaning ghost" he returned.
1t was necessary to stop over that
he might be with a patient the last
thing that night. Bob found the little
house Of Dal's hospitality and drew a
contented sigh as it's spirit of restful-
ness sank upon him. One high win
| dow he noticed was open, with Its
| screen. He ascended to the chintz
! bedroom and lit one of the emergency
candles on the quaint bureau. He saw
| ha otnh q
past twelve o'clock. He found the
stair again and went down to ia
kitchen for drink of water.
The sufferer, ghostly or alive, must
be In the deserted house. 1t appeared
to come now from regions below. Bob
opened door to see flight of steep
steps leading cellarward. Candle in
hand, he bravely descended. The
breeze from lower window extin-
guished the faint light he carried
Then, suddenly in shadowy darkness
he saw white form stretched before
him-a woman's form, white upraised
arms beseeching.
Doctor Bob got out his match box
and relighted the candle; even as he
did so the wide eyes Of the ghostly
young woman closed again In uncon-
sciousness.
He did not stop to wonder how the
mysterious visitor came to be there
but, feeling his way, carried her up to
the sitting room and gently deposited
her upon the couch. Her arm was
broken, and when his skill had coaxed
the color bnck to her deathly face and
lips the unexpected patient smiled at
him wanly.
Il must have given you q scare" she
said, land / had intended 1t to be a
welcome. Doctor Dal, that is what we
call him, called by phone today to asl,
me to put things here In readiness
for you. was going to leave a little
lunch on the table and went down TO
the cellar for jellies that mother keeps
there for Doctor Dal. They are old
friends-we live next door, And, at
the top Of that awful stair my foot
slipped and knew no more for long
time. 1t seems to me-" Jasmine Tyler
went on slowly, that 1 tainted and
came to several times, but could not
move for the pain. And as mother
had gone away to spend the evening
In neighboring town, there was no
hope that she would notice my alb
sence. Now, If you think might
make the effort to go back home"
II am going to carry you there"
Doctor Hammond said. "You are to
be very submissive and moan as much
as you like. 1t Is not often that find
so charming ghost"
Miss Jasmine found the strength to
laugh.
"Oh, the ghost" she said; "you
know, when I opened my eyes dowr
there in the cellar wondered, hall
conscious, II they might not have beer
mistaken about its being woman
Your face was so white. your eyes sc
dark and staring. But 1t was fortunate
that my ghost happened to be skilled
doctor, with his tools at hand"
did you like the little old home II
SummertonT Doctor Dal asked hi,
friend, when he called few day,
later TO express thanks for hospitality
~and did You find the ghostf'