THE DAMNED THING _Ambrose Bierce_ 160

THE INTERVAL _Vincent O'Sullivan_ 170

DEY AIN'T NO GHOSTS _Ellis Parker Butler_ 177

SOME REAL AMERICAN GHOSTS 188




INTRODUCTION

THE FASCINATION OF THE GHOST STORY

ARTHUR B. REEVE


What is the fascination we feel for the mystery of the ghost story?

Is it of the same nature as the fascination which we feel for the
mystery of the detective story?

Of the latter fascination, the late Paul Armstrong used to say that it
was because we are all as full of crime as Sing Sing--only we don't
dare.

Thus, may I ask, are we not fascinated by the ghost story because, no
matter what may be the scientific or skeptical bent of our minds, in our
inmost souls, secretly perhaps, we are as full of superstition as an