The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-03-08

Uus
and at the instant his eyes fell upon it the
town clock began to strike twelve in the dis
lance. As the last stroke died, the figure
moved silently toward the door and glided
out. /
The professor eat staring at empty space,
doubling his sences. He was so astonished
that he never stirred in his seat for ten min |
utes. He sat gazing straight forward until
the book, slipping from his relaxed hands, fell
upon the loer and startled him. |
az have been asleep and dreaming, said ne |
as he prepared to retire. Yet as he drew
the white ooverlet over his shoulders, he had
dream.
The next morning at breakfast he said to
his host -,
"Phillip, is this an old hOuse2"
"Well. il has something of a history, be-
lieye. 1t has been in my possession but
| wear. and we have lived here only few
| months"
"What is its history ?" -
at was built by q man named Alilgood'
| know mot how long ago He lost his young
wife here Immediately alter his removal to 1t.
| Then DIR. Grant bought 1T.
"Did AIligood's wife die of sickness ~
81 believe there was a report that she pol
soned herself on account OF some former at
tachment. Do you know anything about it,
Bertrade ?"
Eyes. papa" said Bertrads, slowly stirring
her coffee, every body thinks it is quite true
that she poisoned herself because she wasmar-
ried against her will to Mr.. Alligood: And,
continued Bertrade, observing that Professor
Wennel was regarding her attentively, they
saw she was found with glass in her hand,
dead. in the room we have furnished as the
pink chamber"
How horrible l shouldn't think you'd
dare to live here,n murmured Nellie Daston
Struggling her dimpled shoulders, and every
body saw Frof. Wennel shudder, but he
changed the conversation.
That night he retired to bed as early as III
/ O'Clock, but somehow he could not sleep. A,
IL o'clock be was as wide awake as ever he
, was in his life, and there in the center of the
room stood the same white figure which had
visited him the previous night As before. II:
| stav was brief 1t retreated as he fixed hir
ewes upon it, and vanished at the door, which
closed softly behind it. The professor never
closed his syes all night
The next day he limited 10: Mr.. Westgatt
that he thought of returning home. His hos
, was astonished.
: Why, Arch, thought you we're going t,
/ stay all summer with me"
= so did ~ said Bertrade, softly.
D Prof Wennel murmured something abou
t changing his plans and declared that he rea
? | fsls as if he must depart on the following day.
That night he was visited again the fact di
not accelerate his departure, for the professo
had the belief that directly after the door close
a upon his ghost, he heard a smothering laugh, an
| he remained until the next night.
1 Just as the clock was on the stroke of twelve
= his chamber door-spened, and the shape appear
!, | ed. He kept his head bent over his book, unit
it had advanced into the center Of the room
i Then, instead Of sitting STILL dazzled by fear an
fascinated with wonder, he quietly arose, pre-
!. duced pistol and said calmly:
Take off that sheet or I'll fire."
e The figure paused and began slowly to retreat
I'm give you but one second" he said firmly
The figure paused, wavered-the sheet fel
and Bertrade sank on her knees before him.
ooh, Prof. Wennei, forgive me-and don't oil
;, don't tell papa"
. Pa!lid and lovely, with her dark ringletz fal
, ing in disorder on her shoulders, the profesSo
lowered his pistol before her beseeching face.
a "Have you any excuse for such conduct, Mi;
l. Westgate ?"
o sNo-yes-oh, / can't tell you; but l did
partly for fun Won't you forgive me, and nc
p tell papa. III do anything for you; indeed
will
,, He stood quietly before her as she still knet
If his feet.
You ask great deal of me. You have de
troyed my plans for the summer, forcing me I
tell your father that / must 90 away"
Il know, but you can make some excuse III
to go, if you like. 1 will help you if you won
s. tell him. Say-say-"
II MAY l say that have fallen in love with h
-" daughter, and so have changed my mind a secon
time -
y She on her feet in an instant, all her pa
Tor given way to a burning blush. He smile
n but she did not not see him, for her eyes were
~ the floor.
May say ~ he repeated
10 She looked us with little indignant flush.
:. mo-
:; He went nearer, took her hands, and made b
- look at him.
= May l, Bertr ade ?"
1e ''Yes," she said.
And Professor Wennel married lis ghost