The weekly Panola star. [volume] (Panola, Miss.) 1857-1881, 1873-04-26
GHOST OF THE BROWN COYrAaE,
BY clio STANLEY.

the meadows and houses at Bycrott,
when Vans Darrell rode rapidly
through the town, and drew rUin At
the small Brown cottage at the end
Of the long avenue Of elm trees.
He shivcred more than once as
he paused under their shadowy
branches. Either he was haunted by
some terrible memory, OF by some
evil thought that moved him strange
ly.
He wa, too busy with HE own
thoughts to notice the solitary figure
that followed him along the quiet
road, that had stealthiIy followed
him more than three miles on foot,
through the gathering shadbws
lie alighted hastily and tied his
horse at the side gate. Looking
about him one moment to be sure
that he was alone, he walked quick
" around the house, and raped
with the end of his riding.whip at
the only window in which n light
shown.
The curtain was drawn back, and
a fair face, framed in by wsvy mas
ses Of brown hair, appeared Tor a
moment al the window. A vivid
smile flashed across the wonderful
brightness of her face, as she smiled
sudden welcome. Then tho cur-
tain fell, the light passed out Of sight,
and door, half hidden by bark
trailing vines, swung open.
II Vaue Darrell took Eleanor
Master in bis arms, and kissed her
twice before he thought to shut the
door, he certainly thought he had
the right to do it, and he little
thought any other eyes we're watch
ing him.
"You don't need to hear mo say
that l am glad to see you--you
know it, Vane," she said softly.
"But come in to the fire. 1t is chilly
to o.night; and besides, this long,
sbadowy avenue always makes me
think Of ghosts."
"Nonsense, darling There isn't
such thing as ghost in the
world"
"Oh, you are a man, and brave;
but am only woman, Vsne. !"
II was strange how the red color
blaked up so suddenly in Vsns Dar-
rell's face.
Il don't know what you will say
to me-" he began, As he seated him
self by the fire; "but | have be-
trayed your secret, Eleanor"
"What do you mean ?" she ex-
claimed, pale with an unwonted ter.
ror.
"Nethlng that should make you
lose your roses, dear; but the Rev.
Mr.. Jessuy 10 whiting the parish OF
Pycroit, and / have asked him to
marry Us"
"When Vans,' she asked a,
length lifting her liquid eyes, while
the rosc.rsd began 70 steal back into
her cheek.
Tomorrow night" be answered,
drawing her yielding form closer "a
himself. "Surely | have waited
long enough 70 satisfy all your rela'
tives, il you cared to satisfy them
Adam has BEEN dead more than ,
year--and in short, | caunot wal
any l,nger."
"But your mother and sister 7"
"They have started already fol
Bsechwood, and whsa | take m,
w,te home, che will not meet with
cold welcome.
"But, Vane-"
"Nay, darling you will not re
fuse me, | am sure. Promise IN
that after this one DARK night | nee'
tell you good night no morei"
n promise you," she whispere'
at length, between smiles and blush
es; "but you inost make ole prom
ise 10 return 2
81 will promise you anything" b
said, simply.
"Perbsps am foolish" she sal
softly, her face dropping down Q
] his shoulder "but / wish tha, 20
!. would como here, instead Of goip
to the chapel You don't know ho
4 I dread that lonely road, Vans!
think I should dread the walk, eve
!. i. with you close BY my SIDE"
"You shsll have Jour own wal
}. dearest. I will come over With NJ
. Jcs.uy, ss soou .. Il is dark, snd 70
.l-n 4 - .~... l..x. Ill