Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-11-01
Gales aud Sketehes.
THE GBOST IN THE ChANOEL.
CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY. I

CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY.
There can be nothing here to harm
me-" she thought, as she fingered still st
the instrument, whose clear notes sound
ed strangely sweet in the spreading
gloom. This is Gods house, consecra-
ted to holiness. to purity. None but good
angels can come here" A sudden inspir-
alton shone in her eyes; she lifted her
hands, exclaiming with fervor.
go father, could bear the sight now
come to me. If the dead can come back.
my precious father come to me - 5,l ssa
There was no answer. The wind sighed
in the branches outside. but, save that,
not sound could be heard. t12lfa9
'rll 60 into the church, she said fer
vently. 1T may be-they say it happens
will let him come. just
for moment"
There was light enough to see the out
lines of things, though they were grow
ing indistinct. With the face like the
saints of the old masters, the flame Of de-
votion and holy love making it almost ce-
lestial Nanny entered the choir. 1t was
quite dark The rare cOlors of the painted
window behind the chancel had drOpped
out of the light. and yelled and hidden.
none could tell what tints were there. At
ordinary times Nanny would have fed
trembling from the shadows and the o.
lence, but something beyond herself
seemed to nerve her now. She stood IN
the middle of the choir gallery, expectAnt
of she knew not what, lifted into q rAps,
devotional sphere, and almost Obliviousiof
self. Suddenly the darkness kindled VT
tle-it grew lighter in the church. Nan
ny sank on her seat, awed but not fright
ened. A moment more, and there SEEM
ed to descend white illumination, max
ing distinct some parts OF the gallery and
OF the ceiling. Again she arose, and
looked straight before her down into the
chance Great Heavens ! what was that?
A figure clothed in white, with all the
majesty of heaven in its attitude-arms
outstretched-a towering form, seeming,
as she looked, to expand and ascend. TO
the now terrified vision of Nanny, the face
the features of him she had loved
best on earth With loud cry Of Father II
she tottered back, and fell fainting to the
floor. E.,
In the parsonage Reginald Preston was
eating his dinner alone, and his mother
sat beside him lamenting the necessity OF
his absence and the GOODNESS OF the din
ner.
''And Nanny carved the turkey, my
dear. What cannot the child dO2 real
ly don't think you could have done II bet
ter, yourself. There was no parade. no
fussiness-there never is about her-shes
Just the sweetest child alive" saf @9la
''She is just what should exp.t the
daughter OF such father to be, said 6sgir
nald. gravely. . s..,s s.s,;t
Miss Delaney is much the finer ngure
of the two, though" said his mother, alter
a pause, during which it was evident aae
had been mentally comparing them.
Reginald smiled and flushed. ...s, ,.;
''She is certainly commanding" he
said. -asa
.And she has fortune, continued MEs.
Preston. fp sl s5,.t;g,ay9
"Mother, what are you thinking Off"
queried Reginald, laughing, but trying to
frown.
Don't mind me, dear; Pm silly old
woman, dare say but" she looked visit
fully at him, II do SO long and plan for
my boys comfort when am gone. be.
lieve am very fond of Miss Delaney"
"And am very fond OF you''-he took
her arm as they left the table, and the
two went into the parlor. ....e5 ...4
Very tired, thank you, said Reginald.
as he sank down in his easy chair, answer
ing Miss Delancys kind inquiry. '.ii bns
'.Certainly she is charming p he said to
himself, looking at her. She consious, Of
his gaze. kept her eyes fixed dreamily1 on
the fire. Suddenly he started, and turned
his head away. III" VS.
Where is Miss NancyP' he asked,s ~
want some music" fas y..lf
..Sure enough, where is the child ?"
quered Mrs. Preston, looking up. "She
is always so quiet, we don't miss her till
we want her. III 60 and see. Idon't
think she has been down since dinner
IL thought l saw her go by the win
dow said Miss Delaney, devoutly wish
ing she might never return.
'.She seems very used to going out by
herself" her mother responded with severe
complacency. Young ladies should not
60 out alone
Mrs. Preston, by this time, was on the
stairs, and presently she opened Naneys
room door. Everything was in its usual
order; a half-written letter lay upon her
little writing desk, but the room was
empty. POI
Very strange" murmured Mrs. Pres
ton, searching every nook with her eyes
"where can she be at this late hour ?"
She went down stairs, looked in the II
brary and the unused room, then hurried
to the house keeper, who told her that
Miss Nancy had come for Betty togo
some W here-she herself was so busy ~
the time she had not noticed. Betty was
sent for, but had gone out. a.
IL can't imagine what has become OF
her. Mrs. Preston said returning to the
parlor; "where can she have gone" pa 81.
..Has she friends in the city 2" asked
Mr.. Preston. rising, his face slightly
clouded. .aaaI
Not that know of-she may be lost"
was the anxious reply.
"She would not lose her way, think"
said Reginald, going toward the window;
lit is very dark; if thought there was
any prospect OF finding her. I'd 60 out.r
'Such a fussr thought Miss Delaney.
spiteiully, for all this anxiety on the dark
girls account was keeping Reginald from