National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-01-05

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her oil to where his regiment was for tw
years. And then he was sent away T.
some foreign place, where there was fight
ing going on, so he could not take his wifi
with him and she came down to live a
the Hall again with the ladies'. But sh
was i'll and weakly like. poor dear frettin
after him, suppose. So they took her OF
to France, somewhere; but she soon died
ard then they brought her back here il
her coffin but she wasn't buried at once
miss.
wanted to ask more-to learn all tina
the woman knew. but just then Aun
Myra came along, and in her cold, distant
way took my arm and we went home.
That evening rs | groped my way to my
room, the lamp not being lighted, mad,
a discovery the recess between two o
the portraits was not recess, but door
and the door was open, only just little
way, and behind it was dim sort of light
which glimmered on to the landing. My
"vulgar curiosity as Aunt Myra would
doubtless have termed my very natural de-
sire to know more on the subject, prompt
cd me to push the door little fun ther
open, a1d look in. Just then | heard the
tiri unmistakabe footsteps of Aunt Myra
conan, from her room above. Slow and
measured IT seemed at first, then suddenly
became quicker and. from my gloomy po-
sition on the lowest stair | could see her
hasten across the landing, looking quickly
and tuttiyely around her as she went, and
disappear in the recess. | heard no door
clo.e, but the faint. dim light faded in.
simultaneously and in the silence and dark
ness | made my way to my room.
On entering, my beart seemed to cease
beating for there by the fire sat woman
her face partly hidden from me by the
long brown hair that tell over il. The
closing of the door had startled her. She
half rose from her chair then appeared to
be reassured i'll some way, and sat down
again. Frightened as was-terror-struck,
| may say-as | stood in the shadows, and
watched the freight flicker over the pale,
beautiful face, the thought stole into my
mind instantly that the face before me
was the exact counterpart OF the picture
hanging in the hall, and which had so at
tracted my attention. | went "A few steps
nearer. | made up mighty mind, and
opened my mouth to speak. The bright,
eyes were fixed on me as | did
so. But heard no sound issue from nv
lips, though they tried to form the words
Who are you p
The face smled-looked INTO the fire
pushed away with both hands its long,
,hadowy hair-then rose from the chair,
and came step nearer to me as it uttered
these terrible words
81 am buried in Detchingley church
sard'
Well, | suppose | shuddered, and turned
white, and felt as any other young girl
lnder the same circumstances might have
lone; but do not remember anything
except shivering yer, much
'ver tireless CRATE, and wondering how
t was that | was found lying seuseless on
he hearthIug.
Time stole on; fortnight had passed
way; it wanted just week to Christ
mas, but the strange face had not vet reap
,eared. had not been inactive all this
me, for | had most perseveringly attacked
laily the door in the recess, but it never
,ncc yielded TO my efforts, and | was al |
most beginning to despair of accomplishing |
he work | had laid out for myself
One intolerable dull day proposed So
acing myself vi h little music, and was
bout to commence but, hearing my |
mlabIe relative muttcr something about |
icing " bored" and that horrid march," |
thought it as well to spare her the intiic-
ION. | remember she informed me that |
light, before going to bed, that my uncle .
,harles was expected to arrive the follow
ng Thursday Christmas Eve-and that
was proposed that | should return to
own with him after his short visit Of two
II three days was concluded Both pieces
{ intelligence gave more real pleasure than
cared to express.
That night had fallen into my first
leep, when was suddenly awakened by
oft, warm hand being laid on mine.
"Yes Aunt Dorothy" SAID, starting
p, and endeavoring to look extremely in
clligent. at the same time being awkardy
ensible that | felt uncommonly stupid.
But the voice that replied to me was not
lunt Dorothy's.
was married ence.' 1t said, in low
lurmur, ga long time ago now ZEN
'as alive And in the church, tha ,.aN,
hey played as you did to night But it
'as on the organ, you know-the organ in
he great church in the valley. But | am
uried ow-burlei in Detchingley church
ard. Myra said 1t would be better for
ian If | died. He would be rich, and
reat, and grand and people would love
nd honor him. 1t was | only that kept
i'm back because | was poor and not
ever"
knew all now there was no Katherine
Iestwood in the churchyard-n one at
] in that grave
Christmas morning at Detchingley. 1t
ad been my intention to meet my Uncle
harles at the station, to prepare him for
he strange announcement but, on reflec-
on, it occurred to me that he would
OF allow me to accompany him to the
rave; therefore, | resolved he should have
D opportunity OF refusing me, and so
ould meet him. Thus came unon him
st as he was entering the churchyard
ate. saw he was surprised, and not alto
ether pleased; but he greeted me affec- !,
and as he walked by my side up
he narrow-paved pathway, he remarked /.
lat did not look well We had lust
ached the marble cross, and the difficulty ,
my undertaking rose before ne in al Its
gnitude viewed from distance, it had !.
IT appeared formidable. | stood still, re .
lived to enter on the subject at once, and
id 81 am not very well, Uncle Charles !
have something on my mind that ought : :
tell you about. | could not speak of it ..
the Hall, so have come here to do So"
He frowned, and looked annoyed, NUT ! !
ring something about: "Would not an
her time do as well p
" No. not as we'll" | made answer u
This is the only right time, and the only v
yht place, Uncle Charles. You must j,
ten to me'-for he was turning angrily q