Phillips County herald., 1923-10-04

said, "and now | must be on my way
to Summerton. Have a 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 L loved the place SO for its homa
memories; you understand that l 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
few restful days. But Myra cannot
be persuaded to stop in the country,
SO when | go | have to 90 alone. You
will be welcome to stop over In my
house, Bob; 1t is always ready for oc-
cupancy. III case" Dal 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 Dal
scribbled line on his visiting card.
Doctor Hammond accepted the card
gratefully.
sounds most inviting" he returned.
II have always had secret desire for
q hidden village home where I might
run when practice became too strenu-
Gus. II is pity that your wife does
not share your sentiment in this re-
spect." Doctor Hammond flashed his
winning smile. Il shall marry n coun-
try-lovlng wife when the time comes"
When 1t comes!" Dial mocked. "oh,
Indifferent one!' he went on. "And l
forgot another thrill. Ny house on
the edge Of a wood is said to be haunt
ed. An old resident of Summertcn
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 patient the last
thing that night. Bob found the little
house OF f'Dars hospitality and drew u
sigh az Its spirit OF restful-
ness sank upon him. one high win
dow he noticed was open, with its
screen. He ascended to the chintx
bedroom and lit one Of the emergency
candles on the quaint bureau. He saw
as he wound his watch that II was
past twelve O'Clock. He found the
stair again and went down to the
kitchen for a drink OF water.
The sufferer. ghostly or alive. must
be in the-deserted house. II appeared
To come now from regions below. Bob
opened a 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 u white form stretched before
hini-a womnn.s form, white upraised
arms beseechIng.
Doctor Bob got out his match box
and relighted the candle: even as he
did 50 the Wide eyes OF the. .hostly
youns 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 wus
broken. and when his skill had coaxed
the color bnck to her denthly fsce and
lips the unexpected patient smiled at
him wsnly.
u must have given you n scare" she
said. "and had Intended 1t to be a
welcome. Doctor BAL that Is what we
call him. called by phone today to ask
mo 10 put things here In readiness
for you. | was going TO leave little
lunch on the tnble and went down 70
the cellar for Ieilles that mother kreps
there for Doctor Dal They are old
frlcnds-we live next door And. at
the top OF that awful stair my foot
slipped end | knew no more for "A long
time. II seems to me- jasmine Tyler
went on slowly. that tainted and
came 10 several times. but could not
move for the pain. And as mother
had gone away TO spend the evening
In nelghboring town. there WIS no
hope that she would notice my ab.
sence. Now, II you think might
mike the effort to go back home"
u nm going 10 carry you there"
Doctor Ilummond said. "Y0u are to
be very submissive and moan aa much
NJ you like. II Ii not often that Ind
80 clarnlng a ghost."
Miss Jasmine found the strength To
laugh.
"Oh. the ghost" she said: you
know. when ! opened my eyes down
there In the cellar wondered. half
conscious, II they might not have been
mistaken about its being a woman.
Your face was 80 white. your eyes ~
dark and staring But It was fortunntc
a -