Ghost Beyond the Gate
They rounded a curve in the road, and there, miraculously, the lighted cabin rose before them.

“At last!” exulted Louise. “The Promised Land!”

Staggering up a shoveled path, they pounded on the cabin door. An old man, who held a kerosene lamp, responded promptly.

“Come in, come in!” he invited heartily. “Why, you look half frozen.”

“Looks aren’t deceitful either,” Penny laughed shakily.

As the girls went into the warm room a little whirlpool of wind and snow danced ahead of them. Quickly the old man closed the door. He made places for Penny and Louise at the stove and tossed in a heavy stick of wood.

“Bad night to be out,” he commented cheerfully.

Penny agreed that it was. “We’re lost,” she volunteered, stripping off her wet mittens. “At least we can’t find the airplane listening post.”

“Why, it’s just a piece farther on,” the old man replied. “The tower’s right hard to see in this storm.”

While they thawed out, the girls explained that they had been forced to abandon their car at the Riverview Yacht Club. The old man, whose name was Henry Hammill, listened with deep sympathy to their tale of woe.

“I’ll hitch up my horses and take you to Riverview in the sled,” he offered. “That is, unless you’d rather stop at the listening tower.”

“It would save you a long trip,” Penny returned politely. “If Salt Sommers is on duty, I’m sure he’ll take us to our homes.”

In the end it was decided that Old Henry should drive the girls as far as the post. Then, if arrangements could not be made with the photographer, he would keep on to Riverview.

Warm at last, Penny and Louise declared that they were ready to start. Old Henry brought the sled to the door and the team soon was racing down the icy road. Above the jingle of bells arose occasional squeals of laughter, for the young passengers enjoyed every minute of the unexpected ride.

Presently Old Henry pulled up at the side of the road.

“There’s the tower,” he said, pointing to a two-story wooden observatory rising above the evergreens. “I’ll 
 Prev. P 9/121 next 
Back Top
Privacy Statement Terms of Service Contact