The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-09-24

something. His name on my board
ers' book is Frank Fay; I neve,
thought of that before"
"And my Franks name is Franl
F. Western. [ never thought o
that either. Oh, Mrs. Harris, it,
the same; and you told me he wa
murdered! No wonder he never
came; no wonder I've waited 81
long in vain. Oh, my darlingr'
Maud was passionately claspins
his picture to her breast, and Mrs
Harris was wiping the tears from
her own sympathetic eyes.
E'Isn't it stranger" She said, di
rectly; and, then, seeing how utter
ly crushed into silence Maud was
she only waited to light the gas
and turn it down to a mellow twi
light, and then stole softly out.
Fer an hour Maud sat there, mo
tionless, silent pressing her lover
picture close to her breast, and suf
fering, and trying to conquer the
agony in her soul. Then, wher
tie distant tinkle of the supper
bell aroused her, she got YEARLY
up, and stood under the gas-light
gazing at his face with yearning
eyes and quivering lips.
"I never blamed you-did ], dar
ling? T never dreamed of being
angry-did I, Frank? 1 thank
Goa now that I was true always
and I always will be true. But
want to see you so, Frank, my dear
est one! Oh, come back, if only
for glimpse of your dear face! p
Her murmured words would not
have reached the door; and as il
she knew how wild they were, she
smiled drearily and replaced the
picture in her album, and started
toward the door to descend into
the dining-room.
But of a sudden, as if touched by
a magician's wand that transformed
her into marble, she paused, with
dilated eyes, parted lips, and out
stretched arms.
And then, peering in dim shadow
through the glass ventilator ove1
her room door, was face perfect
in it's outlines, and looking her full
in the eyes.
And it was Frank Western!
Maud's fascinated eyes were glued
on the shadowy face; her dry lips
essayed to call his name; as in
nightmare, she struggled to act
naturally. Then, flinging up hel
arms with wild, inarticulate cry,
she fell forward to the floor, in 9
dead faint; and 80 Mrs. Harris
found her, as, terrified by the noise
of the fall, she fastened upstairs;
flooded the room with light, and
applied restorativcs.
"And you're certain you seen
it?" Mrs. Harris asked, in awe
strvck tones, as she glanced al
Maud's white, suffering face.
81 know I saw him, Mrs. Harris
Oh, if he would only come again =
"Oh, you mustn't talk 50, child
1t aint a good sign to be able to see
ghosts, and such. Some people
think it's a sign Of death"
Maud smiled family.
"Well, sometimes I want to die
And now that I know my Frank il
dead, I want to 60 him. Perhaps
I am going to die; my head aches
fearfully. Will you please lower
the gas again? It hurts my eyes,,
Maud turned on her pillow, and
Mrs. Harris settled for a watch in
the rocking chair. /
She must have fallen asleep. Al
any rate, she sprang from her chair
with a start at seeing Maud stand
ing silently beside her, one finger
on her lips, the other hand point
ing to the glass over the door.
Mrs. Harris looked, and her lips
blanched at the sight Of Frank
Fay's face peering at them in 9
silent, shadowy gaze.
"A1iss Maud, let me open the
door. 1t may be trick"
She crossed silently, swiftly te
to the door, and suddenly opened
it. Not person was there; not 9
sound was heard. Evidently nc
one had abruptly retreated.
She closed the door, pale and
trembling, and looked up again
There it was, Enthusiastically plain.
"Oh, this is dreadful! [ declare
I feel as if a blast Of air from q
vault was blowing over me. Miss
Maud, do take your eyes Oft, do!
Here !-ghosts don't like a bright
light, they say, and I'm blessed il
! don't light every burner in this
room."
In a moment the face had gone
Mrs. Harris spoke the truth regard
ing Franks ghost, at any rate. Il
didn't like bright light.
1T beats all l ever see. Well
all I hope is that it aint no warning
nor nothin' to me! Come, Mis-:
Maud, you're going to sleep in my
room tonight. Hark somebody''
come in, Judging by the rumpu'
the boarders arc making. lreckol
they're uncommon glad to see who