GHOSTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17714, 18 May 1929, Page 16 (Supplement)

GHOSTS.

'CSent by “Carmelita,” Claudelands.)

It was a wild night, the wind was bowling and moaning in the trees outside, and the rain was beating fiercely on tho window-panes. “I say, sis; d-do come upstairs with me. Mum says I have to go to bed early, and I’ve been reading a ghost story, and this is just the sort of night for ghosts, and, well—oh, do be a sport and come with me—do." I looked up from my latest detecti/e yarn and glared at my ten-year-old sister. 1 was fifteen, and I suppose she thought I ought to be a sort of bodyguard. "Oh, go to bed, and don’t, be such an ass," I answered. "There are no such things as ghosts.” “But, sis, you know there might be, you ” "Bosh!" I retorted sweetly, and resumed my reading. "If yon don’t come with me I shall tell, Dad; so there! You know I’m nervous."

"Well, If you are nervous why do you read those silly, rubbishy yarns?” I snapped viciously. “Will you girls stop quarrelling In there? And Thora, go to bed at once,” came Mum's voice from the next room.

“But, Mums ” Thora began. "No excuses. Go to bed, and you go with her, Jean.” "Me, Mums?” I exclaimed innocently. ‘I haven’t been doing " “If you girls don’t go to bed when you’re told I'll have something to say," broke in Dad’s voice.

That was the end. I slammed my book shut, and muttering something about “darn kids” I reluctantly followed my sister upstairs. “You got me in for this!” I growled: and sitting on the edge of my bed stared moodily at the curtains, which were flying about wildly in the wind, because my sister had forgotten tc shut the window.

“Shut that window, and be quick about it!" I snapped. “You have to be told to do ”

What was that? A plaintive w.iil came from the wardrobe, and on a night like this —well, it seemed ghostly, to say the least of it. “Oh, sis! What was that?” my sister quaked. “Nothing,” I ■ returned, my eyes riveted on the wardrobe door, expecting it to burst open and a “ghost” to come dancing Into the room. There it was again—a wail, getting louder and louder, and finally ending in a sort of shriek. My hair started to rise, and cold shivers to chase each each other up and down my spine. There, again! I couldn’t stand it any longer, and with a wild yell I turned and charged for the door, my sister a fraction of an inch behind me. Grasping the knob in my hand, I pulled the door open, and tore down the stairs; and burst like a young tornado in upon my surprised parents. "What the ” began Dad. “Ghosts 1” Thora managed to gasp but.

"What nonsense!" exclaimed Mum

“But I tell you there is I” I protested/ “It’s up there in the wardrobe, wailing “Oh, do go up with them and see what’s up, Mother!” Dad said. “Oh, very well! Gome along 1’ Mother said, and preceded us to our room.

“It’s there, in the wardrobe, Murns,” I said, poking my head around the door. Thora looked over my shoulder. Mums ealmly walked to the window, shut and fastened it, then opened the wardrobe door.

“What?” My heart began to flutter. Oul of the cupboard walked our black and white kitten, mewed piteously, and stalked sedately for the door. I nearly fainted. “That's your ghost,” Mums said, and laughing hcaiiiiy left us. 1 stared at my sister, she returned the stare, and then grinned. “And you said you weren’t frightened, and didn’t believe in ghosts,” she chuckled.

“Oh, shut up!” I said, and started to undress. All the same, my ears were tingling.

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