The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-12-04

but his were liked on the sCarS peyono'
@About four years ago, was visiting very
intimate friend in the south OF Germany.
had never before seen his family, though we
had known each ether for some time. His
Father Was q strange, fanciful man, knowing
every ghost legend and; old superstition by
heart NV friend laughed at all such, but his
sister l3reSta, was a. firm believer in all her
fathers theories. I remained there for some
months, and before left, Gretta had promised
ta he nv wife, 3sss-, t:i.s @.5J t2r2 -
His voice fell, and it was some moments be-
fore he continued, "Four years ago tonight,
I was sitting by an open window, as [ am now,
when suddenly I was surrounded by an over
powering scent of violets. This was Gretta's
favorite flower, and Immediately thought of
her. Presently heard step and rustic OF
drapery. Right under my window saw, |
could swear to it-Gretta's face and figure.
sprung to my feet, ran down the stairs and out
into the street, but she was gone, nor was
there any otuer, person in sight. / returned to
my room baffied and wondering
* few days after, / heard from Gretta she
begged me to come to her at once. found
her suffering from great nervous excitement,
which she hrayely attempted t6 control IN the
presence of her father and brother; but the
evening of my arrival, as we were all sitting
together, she left the room, making slgn to
me to follow her. I found her on the Eerrace.
She was standing with her hands clasped loose
" before her, her eyes fixed on something in
the distance, and such a weird, unearthly look
npon her face, that hastened to arouse her.
Layinc my hand upon hers arm, spoke her
name. She started, then clung to me-, trem-'
bling violently. When l attempted to soothe
her, she burst into tears. When she could
speak, she told. me that one evening she was
standing where we then stood, when she saw
figure coming up the steps from the lower ter
race Thinning it some visitor, she went slow
ly forward. As, they came face to face, the
figure raised its head, and she saw-herself! :
"I stood qnite still" Gretta said to me, Aand
the thing came nearer, looking at me with aw'
ful eyes, I tried to speak-to move-but was
held as if by chains. Then something -wheth-
er it was my double or not, cannot tell, but
heard the words-said a yearr The tower
clock struck seven, and then tainted"
'That was the day on which I, too, had seen
the apparition. Gretta hadspoken Of this to
no one, but the impression that her coming
death had been foretold was firmly seated IN
her mind In vain I argued against this idea;
she would only shake her head and smile.
"The day on which the apparition first man
ifested itself was Gretta's birthday, and that
day in the coming year was fixed upon for our
marriage. Thinking that change of scene
would restore my Gretta's failing health, 4
I urged that an earlier day be fixed, but her
father was obstinate The stars had told him
that that day would be fatefu one in her life,'
and nothing would induce him to change it.
When I told Gretta of, my failure, she said
Gently, You must not be vexed about it, Max
ii cannot be your wife on earth, will in
heaven"
Our cousin paused as he uttered these words,
and sat leaning his head back against the cur
tain. He had used no word of endearment in
speaking of his promised wife, but the tone of
suppressed passion told us how dearly he lad
loved her. ..r.-..
Claire broke the silence: "Was she very
beautiful, cousin Max ?"
"You have her living image there before
you,p he said, looking down at BRIDES aVerted
face.
saw my pet change color, and presently she
arose and moved quietly away to one of the
windows opening on the garden. Max did not
seem to notice the movement, and soon went
on with his story:
ssTime for our marriage was very near when
next saw Gretta. Business had kept me from
her much longer than had intended. I had
almost forgotten the occurrence of the prece-
ding year, and hoped Gretta had also. can
notspeak of these few weeks of happiness all too
short as they were. The day came. We were
to have been married early in the day, bat the
pastor suddenly fell down in strong convnl-
sions, and one at some distance was sent tor.
When Gretta was told of the delay, she said
quietly, y knew it would be evening" The
wedding was to be as quiet as possible, on ac-
count Of Gretta's health, which, shut our eyes
as we would, we could not avoid seeing was
failing rapidly. '.''.'-1-7'77'''. w.
'Ihe pastor arrived and the hour approach
ed. The air was very heavy, and, opening the
windows, went out upon the terrace. Walk
ing slowly forward, l saw figure in white
cross the lower terrace and come slowly up the
steps, near which I was standing. The form
and carriage assured me it was Gretta, and
calling her name, went to meet her, but the
figure passed quickly on, and vanished in the
shrubbery. Turning, | saw Gretta at my side.
"'You have seen it, MAXI she said, in
answer to my look of amazed inquiry. The
time has come, Max. They do not know that
I am here she said, with glance at the house,
but I wanted to see you again. Don't forget
me- Max. I will wait for you
'We entered the house by different ways,
and in few minutes her brother came to call
me. The service was commenced. My eyes
were fixed on Gretta, who was growing paler
and paler at every moment. CuQueuly tue
tower clock struck seven ). she raised her eyes
to mine I caught her in my arms, but she
never breathed again. And that is the reason"
said Cousin Max, quietly, "why l shall never
marry"
The silence was oppressive. Presently Claire
and Alfred left tie room, aud soon we heard
the piano. Max looked around with smile.
"Claire is calling us-where is Birdie" 1
pointed to the window. He crossed over to
her, and, laying his hand on her hair, said
coaxingly, "Come, song-bird, they want US"
But Birdie drew back from his caressing with
quiet dignity that sat strangely on her, and, ex-
cusing herself, ran up to her own room.
Max rejoined US with sorely puzzled face,
but though he watched the door all the even.
ing, Birdie did not reappear. I always went
to her room at night, and while Claire, Alfred
and Robert were Still chatting in the hall, I
went nm stairs. Hearing no sound from