Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/150

 He watched the white figure disappear, mopped the perspiration from his brow, called Aunt Julie Ann and ordered her to bring him a drink of whiskey. She refused to stir at first, but he threatened to discharge her, and she obeyed.

When the Judge raised the glass to his lips his hand trembled so violently that he spilled some of the liquor on his clothes. He gulped it down and glanced nervously about the hall.

He placed the glass back on the tray and Aunt Julie Ann, watching the parlour-door like a hawk, started back to the kitchen on a run.

"Wait a moment," cried the Judge, shuffling to his feet.

"I ain't gwine stay in here wid dem things in de house," she answered, halting timidly in the shadows of the door leading into the dining-room.

Butler walked to her side and said:

"Tell Miss Stella I'm not feeling well—I'm going to bed."

He hesitated a moment. "You've said nothing to any one about this ghost business?"

"Hush, man, hush! Don't talk about dat now!" she whispered. "I tole dat ole white-headed Larkin—dat's all."

"Well, I want to warn you, don't mention it to another living soul. I'm beginning to suspect that we've been seeing old Major Graham himself!"