THE DIXIE OWL Ghosts For Sure humouredly. Youre right; but trust me The dark shadows were creeping over the small town of Scip-ion Halloween night. The ghosts of the sky on their broomsticks had looked down and the brownies and sprites ascending the steps from the underworld had looked up. There might have been seen by the flickering light of the Jack O Lanterns, a small group of boys assembled on a remote, dark corner in the town discussing the mysterious adventure they were about to start on. They kept looking first on one side of them and then on the other as if they expected the subject of their talk to be shadowing them. How fur did you say it was, Ted? Why my guess would be about three miles, a pretty good walk for one night. Yes Ill say it is, answered the first speaker. Its nine now; well get there about the time of the witching hour, alright ; maybe in time to see the ghosts nightly promenade. I tell you were not going to find a ghost, spoke up Tim, we are simply going to prove that all these old superstitious and spooky stories people tell about this place are false. o, A Youre right there but here comes Rex, he must have had a hard time to give Madge the slip We sure will fool those girls and the rest' of the fellows. They think were coming to the party. I hope they have a good time although there will at least be five of us absent. This was spoken by the smallest one of the group, nicknamed by them as Shorty. They all turned to greet their companion. Hello, Rex, did they just about have you tied to their apron strings ? Im glad you camr at last, any how, Fred said good for always coming sometime. Rex answered. Arent we ready to start? Im freezing to death standing here, Jim said through chattering teeth. Everything seemed to be alright so they started on their long walk. Silently they passed along the dark streets, lighted here and there by a flickering Jack O Lantern reposing on a gate post. In a short time they were out on road leading the old grass-grow- n to their destination. The moon peeped over the dis- tant hill making gruesome shadows among the trees along the roadside. The night was deadly still save for the weird hoot of the owl, which, if the truth was known sent many a chill down the backs of the adventurers. Suddenly Shorty punched the one nearest him. Did you see that? he whis- pered. What do you mean? his companion answered. Sure as Im living someone passed between those two trees. Oh shut up, your seeing things, there was nothing of the kind. They had passed the half way place and were well on their way when Fred motioned for them to stop. They all sat down in a group on the ground. Shorty was as white as a sheet and trembling all over but he to say nothing of what he was sure he had seen, for fear of being laughed at. Let see, it was five to twelve when I looked at my watch a minute ago, that means we have been walking about two and one half hours. From what I remember of the road we are within a block of the place, Fred said with conviction. An audible shudder passed over the crowd and many furtive glances were thrown into the deep shad ows of the trees. Well now, Id like to know what started the people to telling all the things about that place, anyhow, Jim said curiously. Why tradition runs, said Fred, that an old tramp kidnapped a beautiful young girl and afterwards married her he was jealous of her so he built this log house out here away from the world and locked her up in it. She just pined away and after she had tried to kill herself four of five times he murdered her himself. Whew, whistled Jim, He must have been crazy. Well they say he died in the asylum a few years afterward. I cant say I would have been so crazy to come if Id have known all this before. But since I've started Ill keep going; Im vo quitter, Jim said with decision. Alright, we might as well get it over with first as last, but remember we are going through that house from top to bottom, no matter what happens. They walked on slowly and cautiously, each trying to be neither first, nor last in the company. They turned the bend of the road and stopped short. Before them the many gables of an old fashioned house loomed up in the darkness. A long, drearylooking lane led up to the main entrance. Fred was the first to his breath and realize what they were there for. He stepped on ahead and half whispered through chattering teeth, catch Come on. After a fashion they followed. They were getting close and closer. The wind rattled through the trees like it would have done through so They had many skeletons. reached what had once been a heavy door, but what was now a complete ruin. With an effort the boys forced themselves to step inside but they could see