The Glenwood post., 1923-11-01

pndSlS VI Dolt from the Dlue. lHeTe
had been an evening of bridge with the
| Tatums and Balm, who played well, had
| for partner Mrs. Tatum, who didn't.
1t is barely possible that he had be-
trayed passing emotion of testiness
once or twice. AT midnight, us they
were entering their home, Mrs Balm
renewed her remarks on matter to
which reference already had twice
been made on the way home in the cab.
my dear" she was saying, 81 really
| must repeat again that, to my way Of
thinking, no amount of evaporation
could have justified you in showing
your feelings as you did show them at
least twice at that card table. Now,
Arthur would never"
AT this instant Mr.. Bain's finger
found the push-buttOn just inside the
jamb of the living-room door and the
lights flashed on. What next ensued-
the vocal part of 1t, l mean-might
have suggested to an eavesdropper
had there been one that the vowel
sounds in their proper order were be-
ing repeated by two persons laboring
under strong excitement.
"Eh?" That was his astounded ejacu-
lation.
'E-e-e-e" A shrill outcry, part
scream, part squeal, from her.
IL" Mr. Balm again
"Oh !" Mrs. Bain's turn.
"You" Her startled gasp of recogni-
tion.
Eyes, Evelyn, that's who 1t is"
This, in matter-of-fact tones, was a
third voice speaking.
After this for moment the spell of
terrific fascination held both Mr. and
Mrs. Balm silent.
Standing In the middle Of the floor,
facing them, was a shadow. use the
word advisedly. With equal propriety
I might write down "anparition" or
wrath" or shape" or spirit" to de-
scribe that which confronted them. l
prefer Shadow"
1t had the outline, somewhat wavery
and uncertain, of man. 1t had the
voice of mana voice calm, assured
almost casual. 1t had the garb of
man, or at least 1t had the nebulous
faint suggestion of garbing. But 1t had
no substance to it, none whatsoever
1t had no definable color, either. 1t
had rather the aspect of figure of
man done In lines of very thin smoke
You could look right through it and
distinguish. as through patch of
haze, the pattern of the wallpaper be-
hind it. And now, as 1t spoke again
you could, in some indefnabe sort of
in its chest and travelling on up and up
and so out of its lips. 1t was no more
than patch of fog, modelled by some
unearthly magic into vaporous sem
blance Of n human form. 1t was in
conceivable, impossible, an Incredible
tigment of the Imagination, and vet
there it was
Its second speech was addressed to
Mr. Balm, who had frozen where he
was, his finger still touching the push
button, his eyes enlarged to twice their
size and his lower jaw sagged
"You are astonished? Permit me to
introduce myself. am Arthur-Nfrs.
Bain's first husband. am glad to meet
you"
Mr.. Balm. under this shock, came to
himself. The shackles of twelve months
of bottled-in restraint fell from him
"Are you?" he answered "Well I'm
ID If I'm glad to meet you"
81 understand" The voice was gen
tie, almost compassionate. "You will
be glad later on, I think-very glad
Shall we sit down all of us?"
The Thing took chair And the
back of the chair cloudily revealed It
self as sub-motif for the half-ma-
terialized torso of its occupant Me
chanically, moving jerllily, Mr.. Balm
followed suit; he likewise took n chair
Mrs. Balm, uttering choked whimpering
sounds down in her throat, already
had fallen upon couch and was hud-
died there. 1t was just as well the
couch had been handily near by. for
her legs would no longer support her
Her first husband-we may as well
call him that-turned to her.
Control yourself, Evelyn" he babe
her. "There is no occasion for any ex-
citement. Besides, those curious
sounds which you are now emitting
annoy me. haven't long to stay and I
have much to say"
He cleared his throat-the process
might be followed with the eye as well
as by ear-and proceeded
~ have been endeavorng for months
past to bring about this meeting In
fact, ever since shortly after your sec
ond marriage to this gentleman, | have
striven to return to earth for the one
purpose which brings me tonight. But
it was diflicult-very difficult" He
sighed visible sigh. "It is not per.
mltted that l should explain the nature
Of the obstacles. I merely state that
they were very great. AS you will no.
tice, / am not able even vet to attain
the seeming solidity-welght and
specific denslty-whlch I craved to
take on. So 1 just came along in the
somewhat sketchy and incomplete
guise in which you now see me.
my reason for coming Is simple