The Meeker herald., 1923-01-20
THE sPPook
sy LOUISE NJ. Addison

1t was Delphlne's fault. really. II
she hadn't left the house without per-
mission the thing would never have
happened. Besides. 1t was Delphlne
who brought ghost stories to Annabsi.
tempting her with the promise Of fear
ful enjoyment.
Annabel was twelve. and II sh,
did not exactly believe In ghosts. she
had her moments Of doubt. You never
could tell: FreQuently-anda apprehen-
sively-she would find herself peering
over the top Of Delphines newest
thriller. lest some spiritual visitor.
without warning and without Invita-
tion. intrude itself upon her privacy.
And very shortly this habit became
known to Jack, si1teen.year-old bully
next door. and terror Of little girls for
miles around.
Jack had "a few scores to settle with
Annabel, who hurt his dignity ut times
by refusing to dance with him at their
school affairs. Bitterly he had vowed
vengeance. and rejoiced exceedingly
when chance placed the instrument
for reprIsal In his hand.
On the memorable evening. when
father and mother and sister Theo-
dcra left home to attend some pri-
vate theatricals to which she had not
been invited. Annabel inspected Del
phine's hectic library. selected hair-
raising volume and, it being q warm
evening. settled herself comfortably on
the porch to read.
Delphine, the supper dishes being
disposed OF. Joined her presently.
what are you reading. Miss Anna
bel?" she asked, amlubly.
"None Of your business!" snapped
Annabel. angry at being forced to
spend dull evening at home while
others frivoled and enjoyed life.
Delphlne was silent few seconds.
Her mistress would not want her to
leave Annabel alone. but there are
moments In life when mIstresses mean
little. snd such moment had come
iato the life OF Delphine. A few houses
away she had friend In whose fam
lily was Il young man to whom she was
more than partial.
"Do you mind. honey" said Del
phIne. ''if go to Mrs. Browns for q
few minutes? won't be long"
"Oh, 60 ahead" said Annabel. cross
ly. She WAS just at the point In her
story where the murdered lady's ghost
came to torment her assassin.
Delphlne smoothed her hair and
went. AnnnbeI read on, her face pale.
her eyes brilliant with excitement.
She had reached the place where the
GhOstly lady leaned over her victim.
her Icy hand touched his brow-whsr
sound caused Annabel to look. fear
fully; and this time she did not laugh
a: herself for her pains. Her heart
skipped four beats as white figure
came slowly up the porch steps. Anna
bel stepped back. into the farthest cor
ner Of the veranda. The ghost. how
ever. followed, It's arms extended.
Annabel tried to summon up her
courage. After all. there was no rea-
son why ghost should haunt her.
In the corner leaning against the
porch railing, was heavy, knotted
wooden stick. used for mountain
climbing. Her nand closed over 1t.
II the ghost We're really ghost. the
weight Of the knotted stick would do
1t no harm. Delphlne's books all
agreed that blows aimed at spirits
were quite Intellectual. II. however.
the ghost were not a ghost. he would
be thoroughly discredited. She. Anna
bel, would expose him.
Almost faintlng with terror. she
lifted her wooden weapon, which. in
her fear and excitement, she did not
realize could inflict lasting injury to a
creature Of flesh and blood. 1t de-
scended on the creatures head. A
very unspIritual howl Of mortal agony
issued from Its mouth. and a familiar
voice shrleked: "Annabel, don't strike.
It's me, Jack!"
But Annabel. in her relief at not
being haunted. was merciless. Like a
little demon she struck again and
again, punctuatIng her blows with
words Of no complimentary nature.
"You~coward You bully! Take
this! Wanted to scare me. didn't you?
The ghost. hampered by the flowing
garb in which he was enveloped. found
himself unequal to the task Of self
defense. Only when Annabel was en-
tirely exhausted, and the ghost had
stumbled down the steps. still yelling.
did she release her weapon. after
which she tainted quietly as the con-
science-stricken Delphine came run
ming along.
do you know" said her father.
graveiy, when she had been petted and
fused over considerably the next day.
shat Jack Is pretty badly hurt?"
Annabel Jumped In terror. rs he
going to die?"
Her father kissed her and smiled
grimly. ut would have teen his own
fault II you had kille II 4. But you
needn't worry. He's l",'.ed up quite
little. but he'll be all right in