<div style="font-size:10pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:black;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">An<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>intriguing story. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Why did you call it fictional. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">You wrote it as<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>though it
was very real, in a journalistic manner. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">What is the fictitional part?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">The fact that I have to ask these questions <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">is a testimony to your writing. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Even though you say it was fictional<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">(somewhat), <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">I’m not convinced. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Did you adopt this journalistic style to confuse<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>and entice the reader.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Alice sub for October 21<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><br>
NOTE: With the colorful leaves flying in an autumnal wind and rain,
'tis the season for a somewhat fictional ghost story (of 1078 words).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background:white"><b><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">The Dancing Ghost at the Wrecking Ball</span></b><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">by
Alice Jane-Marie Massa<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> Although
many people think that the Clarke-DuBrise House was initially owned by a Mr.
DuBrise whose first name was Clarke, such was definitely not the
case. In 1868, Clinton Clarke had the three-story, Victorian home
built near the corner of Poplar and Meredith Street. However, only
one generation of the Clarke family lived in the once highly fashionable
house. In 1884, the DuBrise family purchased the home; subsequent
generations of the family resided at the tony address until
1943. After being empty for two years, Major Aaron DuBrise, from
afar, rented the property again and again until the abode was in a
horrible state of disrepair. Major DuBrise never returned to his
family's home after October 29, 1943--the evening of the tragedy at Poplar and
Meredith Street. After the Major's death in 1991, the house was left
to the Lantern County Historical Society. Unfortunately, the
historical society decided that sufficient funds were not available to save the
historic home. Reluctantly, the project chairperson of the Lantern
County Historical Society arranged for a wrecking company to demolish the
home. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> The
day of demolition was a gray, humid, moderately windy autumn
day. Shortly before noon, a large crowd, including the local media,
gathered on surrounding streets to watch the destruction. As the
final minutes of preparation ticked by, a light rain turned much heavier;
nevertheless, the crowd grew in number and interest. Finally, the
foreman Vigo Moraglia gave the signal to his crew--despite the
weather. Jack was in charge of the first blow with the wrecking
ball. As soon as the ball hit the third story of the old mansion, a
streak of lightning popped; and the loudest boom of thunder echoed through the
city. The heavy rain burst into a downpour; and bystanders rushed
toward their cars, homes, and businesses. Somewhat stunned by Mother
Nature's display and a most unusual sight, Jack waited for another signal to
continue. He pondered ow very little had been salvageable from the
dwelling: Jack and Vigo had previously combed the premises only to
find for removal two chandeliers, four fireplace mantles, and seven heavy oak
doors. After refurbishing, all of these items would go to the
historical society's museum. Jack thought being able to save so
little of the historic home was sad. Then, he realized that Vigo was
giving him a signal to continue. As the demolition proceeded, only
one bystander remained to witness the erasing of history--Mrs. Dorothea
Clavell.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> After
years of being a well-known newspaper reporter, Dorothea Clavell shifted to
being a columnist who wrote exclusively about the history of Lantern
County. Her prematurely white hair gave her an early air of
gravitas. In the wind and with the sudden lightning bolt, she closed
her huge chartreuse umbrella and pulled her dark green hood over her
head. She wondered if the cameras of the two television stations had
captured what she saw in the aura of the lightning streak. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> Jack,
too, had seen something at that moment. As he continued to man the
wrecking ball, he thought he was seeing a dancing --a dancing
ghost. He needed more coffee, he thought. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> Due
to the weather, Vigo let his crew leave early although Vigo never admitted to
seeing anything unusual. A few minutes away from the site, Jack
turned off the windshield wipers on his truck; the rain stopped , and the sky
lightened. At home, he quickly showered, put on clean
clothes, and decided to treat himself to a good meal at Zina's
Cafe. Jack wanted to shake the memory of what he had thought he had
seen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> Zina,
the hostess and owner, escorted Jack to his favorite
table. Declining a menu, he ordered the special and a big piece of
pumpkin pie. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> As
soon as Jack finished his meal, a strange, young woman dressed in an
old-fashioned, periwinkle blue, long dress glided into the booth, across from
him. She had a white rose in her left hand; her auburn hair was
swept up into a bun of soft curls. Her serious, watery gray eyes
looked directly at Jack. Quietly, but firmly, she
asked: "Why did you wreck my family's beloved
home? Please, please tell me why you would do such a terrible
thing."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> "Lady,
it was just my job. If I had not done it, another guy on the crew
would have. We were hired to do a job--that's all. Why
are you dressed so old-fashioned? You look as if you are from
another era."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> "I
own a vintage shop downtown. I sell vintage clothing; I feel more
comfortable wearing vintage clothing." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> Then,
she left as quickly as she had arrived. In her rush to leave the
booth, one petal fell off the rose onto the table. Somewhat in a
daze, Jack picked up the petal, examined it, and stuck it into his
pocket. A few moments later, Jack was aware of a large piece of
pumpkin pie on the table in front of him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> Next,
sitting across from him was Zina, who commented: "You look as
if you have seen a ghost. You better take a taste of that pumpkin
pie."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> "Thanks,
Zena. I'm okay. Do you know that young woman who was just
sitting here? She said she owns a vintage shop downtown."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> "There
is no vintage shop in this area--none that I know of. I did not see
anyone sitting with you, Jack. I just read in the newspaper about
the Clarke-DuBrise House. Dorothea's column says that in 1943,
Charlotte DuBrise and her fiance were killed by the same bolt of lightning when
they were running from the house to the gazebo, where, apparently, the young
man had planned to propose because a spectacular ring in a lavender velvet box
was found in his pocket. Look how lovely this photo is."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> When
Jack gazed at the photo, he knew who had visited his table. He
awkwardly placed several bills on the table and shakily
said, "I am going to the farm to visit my dad and ride my
horse."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> Somewhat
teasingly, Zina quipped: "Now, you really look like you have
seen a ghost. What is the name of that horse of
yours? Slow down, Jack."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> Opening
the door to exit, Jack replied, "You know the name of my
horse--Phantom."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">{The end}<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black;background:white">_______________________________________________</span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><br>
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