New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-11-09


. ! that shining in her dark eyes might be thu
, light Of woman's love?
The picture wrs finished on my birthday
and was the gilt of Max to me. We were
all taken in to see it, and never since have
l beheld so beautiful picture BRIDES
very self stood before ne, dressed as Max
mad hrst eeen her. But the face-the ex.
quisite dewy sOftneas Of her eyes-the lips,
Just parted in happy smile! The others
were congratulating Max. could only
clasp Birdie in my arms, and hide nv fool
ish tears on her shoulder.
That evening we were all sitting in the
moonlight: Max was smoking by the win
dow, and Birdie in her usual place on foot
stool at his SIDE He was unusually silent,
and unless by an occasional word to Birdie
took no part in the conversation. The room
was flooded with the clear brilliance of the
moonlight, and every one protested against
lamps. Robert and Alfred were arguing as
to the reality of supernatural manifesto
tiont. The possibility of second self ap-
was mentioned. and Claire turned suddenly
to Max:
Max, you are German. and should
know about such things-you tell u.s."
His face was clearly defined by the light
streaming through the open window, and
saw his lips compress suddenly; but when
ne spoke it was in his usual even tone.
~ certainly believe such a thing possible.
Claire. Indeed, / may say know it to be
| sO.'
20, story Cousin Max, story! Tell US
how you know" said Claire. eagerly
He smiled slightly. ut is strange, but
have been thinking Of this very subject. If
| tell you. however, you must expect me to
be egotistical, for it is leaf out Of my own
| life must show you"
Something in his tone impressed us all,
and we sat very silent, waiting for him to
commence. Brides eyes were lifted visit
| fully to his face, but his were fixed on the
| stare beyond.
| About four years ago l was visiting a
| very intimate friend in the south of Ger
many. l had never before seen his family.
| though we had known each other for some
time. His father was a strange, fancful
man. knowing every ghost legend and old
superstition by heart. NV friend laughed
at all such, but his sister, Gretta. was a
firm believer in all her fathers theories. l
renamed there Tor some months, and before
left Gretta bad promised to be my wife"
His voice fell, and it was some moments
before he continued.
-Four years ago tonight was sitting by
an open window, as l am now, when sud
denly was surrounded by an Overpower-
ing scent Of violets. This was Gretta's "a
vorite flower. and Immediately thought of
her. Presently heard step and rustic |
of drapery. Right under my window saw
Il could swear to it-Grettas face and |
figure lsprung to my feet, ran down the |
stairs and into the street, but she was gone. |
nor was there any other person in sight. l |
returned to my room baff1ed and wondering
"A few days after l heard from Gretta;
she begged me to come to her at once l |
found her suffering from great nervous ex-
citement, which she bravely attempted to
control in the presence of her father and |
brother; but the evening of my arrival, as
we were all sitting together, she lett the
room, making sign to me to follow her.
found her on the terrace. She was stand
ing with her hands clasped loosely before
her, her eyes fixed on something in the dis.
lance, and such a weird, unearthly look |
upon her face that l fastened to arouse
her. Laying my hand upon her arm, I
spoke her name. She started. then chung
to me, trembling violently. When l at
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 terrace. Thinking it |
some visitor, abe went slowly forward. As
they came face to face the figure raised it's
head, and she saw-herself!
Il stood quite STILL Gretta said to me,
with awful eyes. l tried to epeak-to |
was held as if by chains Then
neutrality-suspicious. it was my double or
not, can not tell, but / heard the words /,
year" The tower clock struck :
seven, and then tainted"
That was the day on which !, too, had !,
seen the apparition. Gretta had spoken of :
his to no one. but the Impression that her q
coming death had been tOrotold was firmly ! J
eated in her mind. In vain l argued =
lgainst this idea; she would only shake her =
lead and smile.
THE day on which the apparition first n
Manifested itself was Gretta's birthday. y
nd that day in the coming year was fixed &
pom for our marriage. Thinking that "
hange of scene would restore my Gretta's il
ailing health, ! urged that an earlier day ii
light De liked, but her father was obsti- A
ate. The stars had told him that day RI
'ould be fateful one in her life,' and b
Othing would induce him to change il.
When l told Gretta of my failure, she said | o,
emily, You must not be vexed about il. c;
lax. II can not be your wife on earth. / NJ
i'll in heaven" te
Our cousin paused as he uttered these te
ords. and sat leaning head back against ID
e curtain. He had used no word of Ell W
garment In speaking of bis promised wife, Vi
1t the tone OF suppressed passion told us
w dearly he had loved her. le
Claire broke the silence; WAS she very Nc
'autiful, cousin Maxi" su
You have her living image there before ne
~ he said, looking down at BRIDES hi
erted face. wi
saw my pet change color, and presently so
arose and moved quietly away to one Of hu
Q windows opening on the garden. Max
not seem to notice the movement, and ab
IN went on with his story: ca
The time tor our marriage was very
ar when l again saw Gretta Business me
d kept me from her much longer than |
intended. had almost forgotten the spt
,urrence of the preceding year, and l GU
d hoped Gretta had also. can not speak to
those few weeks of happiness, ali too bel
'rt as they were. The day came. We ant
re 10 have been married early in the hal
7, but the pastor suddenly fell down in Ger
Ong commissions, and one at a distance
9 sent for. When Gretta was told of the =,
ay, she said quietly, knew it would be 1
ming: The wedding was to be as quiet the
possible on account of Grettas health. Y
lch shut our eyes as We would, we could
avoid seeing was failing rapidly. opp
The pastor arrived, and the hour ap- the
ached. The air was very heavy, and. U
ming one of the windows, l went out nue.
n the terrace WALKING slowJv forward wit
w figure in white cross the lower ter.
and come slowly up the steps, near , .or
oh was standing. The form and car tien
e assured me that it was Gretta, and, v
ing her name, went to meet her, but tra'
figure passed quickly Oh. and vanished ton
he shrubbery. Turning, l saw Gretta
" side.
You have seen it, Maxi she said. in
has come MAY Tbav DO ~ ,.' ston
am here she soid VIII ~" bore
ard the house .bnt r w,p,aS r.. g s'aueo don,
n. Don't forget me, Max. will wait i low
Tou. 'bec
Ne entered the house by different ways, sons