The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-12-26

By DOROTHY PIPER

Il
= sued Ross Edwards from his earli-
est childhood For instance: While
newsboy, shouting his wares from
the city's busiest corner, he once al
lowed dime to slip through his fin
gers and roll into a culvert beside the
curb. In recovering the coin, he had
discovered valuable diamond brooch
belonging to wealthy old lady. The
lady, a benevolent soul, priced the
brooch as an heirloom, and was so
pleased over its return that she re-
warded Ross by paying his way
through college.
Later in life, Ross went West In
search of work, preferably with min
ing concern. Again Lady Luck found
a way. There was a slight accident
en- route, and Ross gave first aid to q
man who, hurled from an upper berth,
was rendered unconscious. The gen.
tleman was more frightened than hurt.
but he insisted that Ross had saved
his life, and begged him to accept
lucrative position in his mining CON-
pany.
Ross was returning home from q
stag dinner when he first saw the ap-
partition. He was passing the little
stone church in the square, when he
heard low, piteous moan. CHANGING
towards the church, he saw a slim,
ethereal figure, clad in the filmy habili-
ments of a bride.
1t stood upon the top stair of the
flight which assembled to the church,
with its arms stretched over Its head
and resting upon the door panels. Its
head was bowed in despair. Ross Ed
wards was not superstitious man.
but, nevertheless, he struck pace
which he didn't abate until he reached
his gate.
His sister, Alice. met him az the
door, and the first thing she said was:
"Wby. what's the matter, Ross7 You
look as though you had seen ghost"
II havep he gasped, and excitedly
related the story of the phantom bride.
Evidently Alice read his mind, for
presently she looked up and said:
"Still thinking about your ghost.
Ross?"
YES" be confessed, "and the more
think of it, the more 7 realize It was
not fancy, but some human being APP
pealing for help. I wish had spoken
to 1t. Like good sport, Alice, I wish
you would sit up until II 80, and thee
walk up to the church with me and see
If my ghost Is still beating silent
tattoo upon the door,"
Alice was game, and at the time ap-
pointed. stealthfly approached the
church. The phantom bride was not
there.
Just one week later Ross was
obliged to stay In town and 60 to q
stockholders meeting. Once mofe he
chose to walk up from the midnight
train. AS he neared the church he
thrust his hands deep into his pockets,
began to whistle indifferently, and
looked bravely towards the door. The
phantom bride was therel
Cautiously Ross CROPPED his wq
through the darkness TO the steps.
The figure had fallen In little hud-
died heap when he reached II, and was
sobbing, no ghostly sob, but a very
human one, straight from human
heart He gathered the girl In his
arms and carried her home, where
Alice and a doctor worked over her
for hours.
At dawn she opened her eyes, muir.
INJURED a single name, Norman" and
dropped into a deep slumber. For
days her vitality was so low that Ross
and Alice began to worry as to whom
to notify In case of her death.
1t was awkward not knowing her
name, so Alice christened her ivy"
because she had chung so desperately
to the church. They didn't call her
that in her presence, although Ii would
not have mattered. as ivy" just wan
dered about in stupor and hardly
knew she was alive Then one day
her health took a turn for the better;
and a slip on Alice's part finally cast
a light on the whole situation.
ITS fine to see you growing so well
and happy, Ivy DEAR" was Alice's
remark.
"My name isn't Ivy the stranger
suddenly corrected. fits Helen, and
must tell you all about myself. I re-
Gently came here from England IN
search of Norman Castleton, the inter.
national polo player, to whom I am
engaged. l met him at my London
bone he told me he loved me and wc
planned to be married, but important
business called him to America. Short
ly afterwards my mother died and,
having no other relatives. / decided to
join Norman here, but found upon ar
irving that he had married his child
hood sweetheart. England held moth
ng for me with mother gone, so rent
ed cottage in this suburb and lived
there alone among the haunting mem
ories of my shattered romance. My
reason must have failed me, for al
times would Imagine that Norman
was waiting for me at various
churches Then l would put on my
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