The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-06-30
Chapter IL
Marooned i'm Mystery


Marooned i'm Mystery
HOWE read on:
IL Mrs. Witherspoon, in hon.
or Of her husbands return, gave q
ball to which were invited all who
were select in the society of that
day.
When the Colonel learned OF
the Negro servants death, as he
took his place by his wife's side
In the drawing room, he turned
pale as death and started for the
door, apparently intending to 60
to Marguerite in the secret cham
Der. But at that instant every can
die In the room was extinguiShed,
as by a mighty wind and in the
secret chamber over the drawing
room a shutting of feet and pite-
GUS means were heard. Soon the
means died away in the distance
and the western door of the draw
ing room slowly and noiselesSly
opened.
In the dim light the spectral
form of Marguerite glided into the
room, and stood still for an in
slant, arms outstretched in the di-
rection of her sister. Her long
black hair curled loosely over her
shoulders, her eyes burned deep
in their sockets, and the thin mus
lin frock she wore chung closely to
her emaciated form as il it had
been lying in the damp earth.
"With cry, Clementine start
ed toward her. She seized one OF
her sisters almost transparent
hands, and hand in hand in the
doorway, the two girls turned
upon the Colonel a look of UNI
utterable woe. Then the glow
worm light vanished and in the
intense darkness that followed, a
terrible cry rang through the
room and there was the sound of
q falling body. When lights were
brought, the figure of the fair
Clementine was lying dead upon
the drawing-room floor. her gar
net satin gown damp and dank
about her, like a shroud.
"And ever after, when the I'M
easy spirits Of the unfortunate
sisters are disturbed, they are to
be seen wandering hand in hand
about the deserted rooms or down
on the shore in the melancholy
place; the shade OF the dark Mar
Ruerite still in the little sprigged
muslin, the fair Clementine in the
garnet ball dress in which she
came to her unhappy end"
The lawyer coughed and his
voice died away. The silence that
followed the ending of the story
was broken by Mrs. Marbury.
slow quaint-but how fright
fully tragic" she said, in her
vague way. She glanced at Mrs.
jackson, sitting stiffly by the door.
81 don't wonder the girls gave you
q start, II they reminded you OF
this odd romance"
Reminded mel" snorted Mrs.
jackson. They're the very picture
of the spirits the story tells about.
wearing those old dresses. I've
seen them" she added defiantly.
Gina looks like a picture, all
right" said Ham, mis- eyes turned
adoringly in her direction.
* wonder why the Colonel
didn't marry the dark-haired Mar
Ruerite in the first placer" unused
Brett. Eve felt her color rising
as her eyes met his. She had no
idea that he could turn so grace
full a compliment.
1.-THE whole thing gives me the
creeps," declared Julie with a
shudder. II wish we hadn't found
the story and do hope you'll put
that dress back where you got 1t,
Eve. ] hope never have to see 1t
again." She turned to the care
taker alphabetically. II wonder
that you stay here. Mrs. Jackson. T"
Where else can / go?" retorted
the woman, rising. After all.
there are not manv places for a
sickiy man like Mr.. Jackson. and
I'm not us young as ] used 10 be.
Things are usually quiet enough
here, when the front rooms are
not disturbed. Our place at the
back was added later. you know"
WHY think it shows that the
ghosts OF the girls like company"
said Eve perversely. Il think it's
a shame the way they've ben left
neglected all these years, with
nothing 10 haunt but a lot OF
dusty, closed rooms"
ME, tool" cried Gina, her gar
net satin gown rustiing as she
Rlided across the room in what
was intended TO be spectral dig
nifty. She posed ostentatously be-
side Eve. What ! mean is" she
laughed, "the world in general Is
unfair TO ghosts"
Brett had been watching Mrs
JackSon's face. Half-shadowed In
the corner. she did not notice his
scrutiny, as Brett, amazed at the
cold rage in her snake-like eyes
found himself unable to tear hi:
glance away.
For some reason, he realized shS
hated the fiippancy OF the two
girls. She must have expected. ht
desidSa. that they would b
frightened at the story, "and leave
the place as soon as possible ~
added mentally, never TO return.
For an instant he thought that Sh'
was going 10 lash out az all o
them with some viIiolic speech