Seattle University - Aegis Yearbook (Seattle, WA)

Page 29 text:

THE ECHO Scott gazed at him’with an amused air. “You said this morning, that everything was so dull, you could hardly keep awake any more. I’m bringing you with me only to oblige and if you don't behave—. I know you think I’m handing you a pretty crude line, but to prove my words I’ll show you something.” Taking a few steps out from under the awning into the rain he stooped over and picked up a small rectangular white placard. It was soaking wet, but the simple legend it bore was easily discernible. Scott handed it to Tom, who read the words, “ Tonight the Ghost Walks. “He's quite a modern ghost, isn't he? He evidently believes that advertising pays. All right, Scotty, tonight you can lead your little lamb to slaughter. “Sure, returned Scott, Til call for you in my car about nine-thirty tonight. But you’ve got to promise to keep your eyes shut from the time you get into my bus till we face the ghost. At this Tom laughed. “You’re not at all melodramatic, are you. But as long as it’s giving you any enjoyment I’ll I ill my part of the bill and be ready when you call. During the remainder of the day the rain continued, though not as ferociously. It had now resolved itself into a steady, unrelenting drizzle, while the wind had increased in strength, whipping viciously the helpless trees, banging shutters and enveloping in torrential blasts the overwhelming surge of people now pouring out of the offices at the end of their day’s work. As night fell, the streets and houses only took on a mote mournfully drab aspect. Downtown alone shown with a million intriguing lights through the rain washed blackness. Nine-thirty at last came around and brought with it Scott and his car. Tom was busily engaged in a game of Mah Jong with some family friends who had dropped in to visit his parents, when Scott rang the bell of the apartment. Til be ready in about ten minutes.” he informed Scott. “Amuse yourself with whatever you can find.” The ten minutes lengthened into nearly sixty before Tom made his appearance. “Punctual as usual. remarked Scott. 27

Page 28 text:

THE ECHO Say, little boy, you don’t think you can interest me with a tall tale like that, do you?” Well, listen to some details, Tom. It was in an old haunted room, the hour was midnight, the ghost moaned and clanked his chains, then disappeared.” “It certainly wasn’t a very original ghost, was it? Now if I were one I'd try to be a little different. I’d appear either a few hours before midnight, or a few hours after. I’d talk right out or sing, instead of that everlasting moaning, and I’d do entirely away with chains. And I suppose the ghost was white—?” Of course.” Well, I expect that wasn’t its own fault, it probably couldn’t change its color. But just the same I think it would be kind of a relief to see—oh. a purple one. But after all a ghost is a ghost, that is, if it is a ghost. You don't see them every day, and they’re hardly ever a bore.” You love the sound of your own voice, don't you?” said Scott. And I gather from the general import of your words that you harbor doubts concerning the truthfulness of my statements.” Why,” inquired l orn, did you figure that out all by yourself, without any outside help? But you can’t blame me much, for you know that I know how much you love the truth.” I have told the truth on certain occasions and I admit this is one of them. Now for the last time I mention the fact that last night I saw with my two big eyes a—well, call it whatever you want, ghost, phantom, spook, spirit, spectre. And now,” continued Scott, with an air of finality, “this is the last call. Tonight the ghost walks again, and if you think it could hold your interest for a few minutes. I could manage to have you present.” “Since you’re taking it so hard, I’ll have to humor you, and go along—but what’s your idea? You provide the ghost and I’ll provide the attention, but if it doesn’t come up to advance notices—” So you’ve decided to come along? You did the deciding. It’s just out of kindness I’m going with you.” 26

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“A little waiting’ll do you good, returned 'Torn. T hey stepped out into the night. The car gleamed under the street light. The wind howled desolately around the corners of buildings. “Just the night a ghost would like.” said Torn. “It provides a perfect atmosphere and ought to make him feel at home. Go ahead, bring on your spook, I’ll treat him right. “Hurry up.” broke in Scott, “and we ll be off, but first remember what I told you. close the optics. “What. almost shouted the other, “you mean to say you really meant that? “Now for the last time, answered Scott. I repeat what I said. I know you think I’ve been kidding you right along, but you agreed to do what I said. Of course if you’re getting a big thrill out of it, I’ll be an obedient little boy. But when you let your sense of the theatrical run away with you, you get rather tiresome after a while. Well, here goes. He shut his two dark eyes. “That’s a nice little fellow. cooed Scott, always mind papa. The car plunged forward into the darkness. All Tom heard for the next fifteen minutes was the steady purr of the engine and at irregular intervals the harsh grating of street cars, then again the peculiar silence of the night. T hey had been going in this manner for what seemed to T om an extreme length of time but was in reality only a comparatively short space when he was suddenly brought up with a sharp bang, sounding very close. “What's that? he inquired. Keep your l’il eyes shut tight, it isn’t anything: two old busses bumped into each other, nobody hurt. Say there, didn’t I see you open one eye. Be good or papa spank. admonished Scott. “Boy, but don’t you get a lot of enjoyment out of your own line. “We'll be getting there pretty soon. said Scott, only about five minutes more. The five minutes went by slowly to Tom: by this time Scott’s idea was proving monotonous, sad. 28