Seattle University - Aegis Yearbook (Seattle, WA)

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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

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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

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THE ECHO At last, however, the car started to slow down and finally came to a dead stop. “That's it. keep your eyes closed for a while yet. not very much longer now: I'll take your arm and lead you.'' “Scott, don’t you think it’s the right time to quit this clever stuff? I’m beginning to get fed up on it—your bright idea is just about worn out. You must have kind of a perverted sense of humor, it seems to me.” “Now don’t get cranky, it’s just a minute more, we’re right there.” Stepping out from the warm car. the blasts of wind brought with them a cutting chill. The eerie whistle of raindrops and the minor moan of the wind was a fitting prelude to the scene which presented itself to Tom when he first opened his eyes. Scott had lead him up what seemed an unending flight of steps, opened a door, closed it after them, brought him forward several feet around a number of turns. “All right, little one, lift your lashes.” Tom gazed about rather blankly at first, then the objects about him began to take shape. He could discern that he was standing in what seemed a long, narrow hall, one end of which was enclosed in drapes through which he could see a large room. The hall itself and its other termination were inky black: he was able to make out no details. The ceiling loomed high above them but was concealed in gloom. “Well, are we here?” he inquired. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we were, but keep quiet and follow me.” They made their way gropingly along the passage until before them through the drapes was the tremendously large room. “Here, you mustn’t step out there nor let yourself be seen.” warned Scott. “We can observe everything that goes on from here.” The room was unusual in more ways than one. First of all, it had only three sides. Where should have been a fourth wall was only immense space totally dark. The room was flooded with a peculiar gray blue light whose source was not visible, seeming to emanate from the enormous beams above. It was furnished with decayed furniture and the curtains and 29