Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1923-03-19

with the graduations of the spreading
dawn, but rather with the solid en-
phasis of bolt from the blue. There
had been. an evening Of bridge with the
Tatums and Bain, who played well, had
for partner Mrs. Tatum, who didn't.
It is barely possible that be had be-
trayed a passing emotion Of testiness
once or twice. At midnight, as 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, Il 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 mt
least twice at that card table. Now,
Arthur would never"
At this instant Mr.. BARS 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 it, 1 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-ew A shriH cutlery, part
scream, part squeal, from her.
Ill" Mr.. Balm again.
"Oht" Mrs. Bain's turn.
'Youw II startled gasp Of recogni-
ton.
"Yes, Evelyn, that's who 1t Is"
This, in matter-of-fact tones, was a
third voice speaking.
AFTER this for a moment the spell Of
a terrific fascination held both Mr.. and
Mrs Balm silent.
Standing in the middle Of the floor,
facing them, was shadow. l use the
word adyisedly. With equal propriety
/ might writc down "appartion' or
wrath" or shape" or spirit to de
scribe that which confronted them.
prefer Shadow"
It had the outline. somewhat wavery
and UNCERTAIN, OF man. It had the
voice of Il mana voice calm, assured,
almost casual. 1t had the garb of
man, or at least it had the nebulous
faint suggestion Of garbing. But It had
no substance to it,. none Whatsoever
1t had no defna0lc color, either. It
had rather the aspect Of a figure Of
man done in lines If very thin smoke
You could look right through it and
distinguish, as through n patch Of
haze, the pattern Of the wallpaper be-
hind It. And now, rs il spoke again
YOU could, in some ludcfnable sort Of
way, see It's voice starting from down
in it's chest ana travelling on mp and IN
and 50 ont of its lips. 1t was no more
than n patch of fog, modelled by some
unearthly magic into vaporous SEM
blance Of Il human form. II was In
conceivable. impossible. an Incredible
ficmcnt of the Imagination, and yet
there 1t 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 saggcd.
you are aStoniShc1? Permit me to
Introduce myself. I alA Arthur-Mrs
Pains flrst husband. I am glad TO meet
you"
Mr.. Balm. under this shock. came to
himself. The shacEIes Of twelve months
of bottled-m restraint fell from him
Care you?" he answered. "Well, I'm
Id if I'm glad to meet YOU"
az understand" The voice was gen.
tie, almost compassionate. You viii
be glad later on. I think-very glad.
Shall we sit down all of u.s."
The Thing tool; a chair. And the
back Of the chair cloudy revealed it.
self as sub-motif for the halfma-
terlalized torso of its occupant Ne
chanicaliy. moving icrklly, Mr.. Balm
followed suit; he likewise tool, chair.
Mrs. Balm. uttering chol;cd whimpcring
sounds down in her throat already
had fallen upon n couch and was hud-
died there. It WIS Just as we'll the
couch had been handily near by, for
her legs would no longer support her
Her first hushand-wc may rs we'll
call him that-turrod to her.
Control yourself, Evelyn" he babe