The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-05-18
THE SPECTRE HAND.
BY JAMES GRANT.
Concluded.

CONCLUDED.
Marie Louise and were to be married,
as YOU remember, to cure me Of all my
frolics and expensive habits-the very day
was fixed; you were to be the groomsman,
and had selected suite Of jewels for the
bride in the Kongens Nytoree; but the war
that broke out in Schleswig -Holstein drew
my battalion of guards to the field, whittier
I went without much regret SO far as my
tfoncee was concerned; for, sooth to say,
both of us were somewhat weary of our
engagement, and were unsuited to each
other: so we had not been without piques,
GOODNESS, and even quarrels, till keeping up
appearances partook of boredom.
Il was with General Krogh when that
decisive battle was fought at ldstedt be-
tween our troops and the Germanizing
Holsteiners under General Willisen. My
battalion of the guards was detached from
the right wing with orders to advance from
Salbro on the Holstein rear, while the CEN
tire was to be attacked, pierced, and the
batteries beyond it carried at the point of
the bayonet, all of which was brilliantly
done. But prior to that l was sent, with
direction to extend my company IN Skin
mishing order, among some thickets that
covered knoll which is crowned by
ruined edifice, part of an old monastery
with secluded battle-ground.
Just prior to our opening fire the funer'
al of lady Of rank, apparently, passed US,
and I drew my men aside to make way for
the open catafalque, on which lay the cof-
fin covered with white flowers and silver
coronets, while behind it were her female
attendants, clad in black cloaks in the
usua. fashion, and carrying wreaths of
white flowers and immortelles to lay upon
the grave. Desiring these mourners to
make all speed lest they might find them
selves under fire of cannon and musketry,
nv companion opened, at six hundred
Yards. On the Holsteiners, who were COM
ing on with great spirit. We skirmished
with them for more than an hour, in the
long clear twilight Of the July evening, and
GRADUALLY, but with considerable loss, were
driving them through the thicket and over
the knoll on which the ruins stand, when
half-sgent bullet whistled through an open
inc in the Wondering wall and struck me
on the back part of the head, just below
nv bearskin cap. 4 thousand stars SEEM
ed TO flash around me, then darkness sue
ceeded. l staggered and fell, believing
myself mortally wounded; pious invoca-
ton trembled on my lips, the roar of the
red and distant battle passed away, and l
became completely insensible.
Glow long lay thus I know not, but
when imagined myself coming back to life
and to the world l was in handsome but
rather oid-fashioned apartment, hung, one
portion of it with tapestry and the other
with rich drapery. A subdued light that
came, l could not discover from where,
filed it. On buffet lay my sword and
my brown bearskin cap of the Danish
Guards. l had been borne from the field
evidently, but when and to where? was
extended on a soft fauteilu or couch, and
my uniform coat was open. Some one was
kindly supporting my head-a woman
dressed in white, liks bride; young and
50 lovely, that to attempt any description
of her seems futile
.She yas like the fancy portraits one
occasionally gees of beautiful girls, because
she was divine, perfectly so, as some enthu-
siast's dream, Or painters happiest eoncep-
ton. A long respiration, induced by adj
miration, delight, and the pain of my
wound, escaped me. She was SO exquis-
itely fair, delicate, and pale, middled-sized
and slight, yet charming round, with hands
that we're perfect, and marvellous golden
hair that carled in ripping masses about
her forehead and shoulders and from which
her piguante face peeped forth as from a
silken nest. Never have | forgotten that
face. nor shall be permitted to do so, while
life lasts at least he added, with a strange
contortiou OF feature, expressive of terror
rather than ardor; it is ever before my
eyes, sleeping or waking, photographed on
nv heart and in my brain: ! strove to
rise, but she stilled, or stayed me, by
caressing gesture, as mother would her
child, while softly her bright beaming eyes
smiled into mine, with more OF tenderness
perhaps than love; while in the whole air
there was mach OF dignity and self-reli-
ance.
s"Where am I?' was my first question.
s"With me-" she answered naively: sis
it not enough ?''
Il kissed her hand, and said
90" The bullet, remember, struck me
down in place Of burial on the Salbro
road-strange"'
'"Why stranger
'"As l am fond of rambling among
graves when in my thoughtful moods"
s"Among graves-why ?" she asked.
'"They look SO peaceful and quiet"
WAS she laughing at my unwonted
gravity, that SO strange light seemed to
glitter in her eyes, on her teeth, and over
all her lovely face? l kissed her hands
again, and she left them in mine. Adora-
ton began to fiji my heart and eyes, and be
family murmured on my lips; for the great
beauty of the girl bewildered and intoxi-
Gated me; and, perhaps, was emboldened