The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-01-26

"She is deadv' l replied, in shaken


L threw myself on sofa and wept con-
vulsively. When had exhausted the
first violence of my grief my friend ap-
preached me, and in grave sympathy
asked me Of what was thinking.
"Of death!' replied.
"Of suicidel" said he.
/ made no answer.
"Do you not possess her Portrait" said
he.
"Yes, daub Of my own, but which re-
minds me at least vividlv of the original.
l have also daguerreotype, but daguer-
reotyPcs have always a cold, ghastly
look"
"You should paint her."
"Paint herl"
ayes, paint her as an angel of heaven;
realize your memory Of her beauty on the
canvass. Leave a monument of your
love and talent behind you. Then die, if
you please"
The artists suggestion pleased me. No
youth OF eighteen is in n violent hurry to
die, even for love. resolved to adopt
my friends idea, and gloomy sort Of
ambition seized me to make this work a
work of art worthy of its model. Nay
even dreamed Of posthumous fame; of 90
ing down the stream of American art-6is-
tory, as the man who painted real an
gel, and then pursued its prototype into
the world Of angels.
commenced my task that very day,
and labored rs long as the light allowed,
without cessation. Ny master aided me
by his counscls, and when the work was
complete, he laid his hand affectionately
on my shoulder and said, Truly you are
pupil worthy Of a greater masterl'
We had the picture framed and sent to
the exhibition Of the Academy. On the
very first day my triumph was unques-
tioDable. "An Anger was decidedly the
attraction Of the exhibition. The same
afternoon an offer to purchase it for a
large sum arrived from one of the richest
merchants Of New York. sat with this
letter in my hand trying to read it by the
already waning light in my studio, when
heard the door open and somebody en-
ter. Supposing it to be the painter, did
not look round.
Presently raised my eyes, and beheld
to my horror shadowy figure in white,
with face of unearthly pallor.
The face was Aurclia's.
l confess that fear seized me. Nv
shattered nerves, my recent over-excrtion,
my fasts and vigils, had increased my
nervous sensibility to an alarming degree.
! tried to reason with myself, and account
for the vision on grounds Of mental deu-
sion, when / was startled out of all reason
ing 10y the figure saying in low but dis
tinct tone:
Frederick! do you not know mc."
AYES, | know you," was my solemn an
swcr.
"And you stll love mel"
"Now and forever!"
"Then why do you not embrace met"
said the figure, gliding nearer.
''Can ghosts embraced" cried, rising
obviously, and gazing more assuredy at
the pale phantom.
Try" said the ghost.
And / did try, but it was no spectre, it
was living, breathing angel folded in
my arms.
"What is the meaning of this' I
tnOught you dead!
"And l believed you buried. They told
me so at home. have had fever in
consequence; see how pale and thin l
ami"
"But I am alive; so are you,"
"That is evident"
"What could have been your fathers
motive for such conduct and such false
hoodr
IAN insane wish to marry me to his
partner, Mr.. Smithson."
"liis partner"
ayes; he has caught a partner with
money, as mamma says, and she thanks
God she will not have to pay the rent Of
the Office out Of her own income any long
er."
"But how did you know was alivel"
"Dcad men do not paint pictures"
"Then you knowl"
AYES, have seen-oh! you fatterer!"
"Flsttereri not at all. But look at this
an offer Of seven hundred dollars for
the picture. An hour ago would not
have sold it for seventy thousand. But
now, suppose we take the seven hundred
dollars and run sway at oncef
Il: Is nos nacossary; rny father gives his
consent--and here he is"
Old Garford entered.
"Well, SIR" said he, ~ congratulate
you on your success. We shall be happy
to see you at Two-hundred-and-t
cond street this evening, If you are not
otherwise engaged"
Shortly afterward / was married. As
soon as Aurelia and l were alone in the
carriage that bore US from the church,
said to her, smiling, my dear little ghost,
l sincerely trust you will haunt me to my
dying day"
Il will try" said Aurelia, looking full
at me with beautiful and fathomless eyes,
ITO be your ghostly comforter as long as
live"
1t is my opinion that ghost is very