#9
Kristy and the Haunted Mansion
by Ann M. Martin

Kristy's team isn't afraid of ghosts --- right?

"This room is boring," said Jackie. he led the way back into the hall and into a third bedroom. This one had definitely belonged to a man. The furnishings were dark and heavy, and the bed, covered with a brown spread, stood solidly along one wall. This room had a big fireplace, and over it hung another portrait. This one was of a man, dressed in a tailcoat, looking very stiff. Jackie went closer and peered at the brass nameplate under the painting.

Just then, Bart and Charlie joined us. "Who's that guy?" Bart asked.

Jackie gulped. "It says his name is Owen Sawyer," he said in a whisper. He sounded frightened for some reason.

"That makes sense," said Charlie. "I think the name of the road we were on is Sawyer Road."

"Really?" asked Jackie. "Then this must be the Sawyer house!"

"So?" asked Buddy. "What does that mean?"

"It means -" said Jackie, "it means that this house is haunted!"

I heard several kids gasp. "What are you talking about, Jackie?" I asked.

"Shea told me all about it," said Jackie. "I thought it was one of his ghost stories, but maybe it's for real! People have seen all kinds of weird stuff happening here. Lights going on and off, doors that were locked hanging open, smoke coming from the chimney..."

Karen leaned forward. She loves ghost stories. "What else?" she asked.

"Sometimes people see a woman waling around, and they say it's the ghost of a woman who died in the area," Jackie finished. His face was white.

My heart was beating fast, but I knew I should jump in before Jackie got everyone really scared. "I'm sure those stories are nothing more than tales people made up for fun," I said firmly. "After all, there are no such thing as ghosts." At least, I thought to myself, I sure hope there aren't.

Kristy and the Haunted Mansion
Published by Scholastic Inc. 1996
ISBN: 0590449583