Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-11-16


| ghost legend and old superstition by
heart. My friend laughed at all such
but his sister, Gretta, was a firm be
lever in all her fathers theories.
remained theref for some months, and be
fore l left, Gretta had promised to be
my wife
His voice fell, and 1t was some mo
ments before he continued. N
-Four years ago tonight, l was sit
ting by an open window, as l am now
when suddenly l was surrounded by an
overpowering scent of violets. This
was Gretta's favorite flower, and / i'm.
mediately thought of her. Presently
heard a step and rustic of drapery
Right nnder 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 other per-
son In sight. / returned to my room
baffled and wondering.
"A few days after, l heard from
Gretta; she begged me to come to hel
at once. l found her suffering from
great nervous excitement, which she
brayely attempted to 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 sign to me to follow her.
found her on the terrace. She was
standing with her hands clasped loosely
before her, her eyes fixed on something
in the distance, and such a weird, UNI
earthly look upon her face, that l has
tened to arouse her. Laying my hand
upon her arm, spoke her name. She
started, then chung to me, trembling
violently. When l attempted to soothe
her, she burst into tears. When she
could speak, she told me that one even
ing she was standing where we then
stood, when she saw a figure coming
up the steps from the lower terrace.
Thinking it some visitor, she went slow
ly 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, ''and the thing came nearer, look
ing at me with awful eyes. | tried to
speak-to move-but l was held if by
chains. Then neutrality-suspicious. it
was my double or not, l cannot tell,
but l heard the words-said a yearr
The tower clock struck seven, and then
l tainted"
''That was the day on which 1, too,
had seen the apparition. Gretta had
spoken of this to no one, but the i'm
preston that her coming death had
been foretold was firmly seated in her
mind. In vain l argued against this
idea; she would only shake her head
and smile.
THE day on which the apparition
first manifested 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,
urged that an earlier day might be
fixed, but her father was obstinate.
THE stars had told him that day would
be fateful one in her life, and nothing
would induce him to change it. When
| told Gretta of my failure, she said
gently, You must not be vexed about
it, Max; if | cannot be your wife on
earth, Twill in heaven
Our cousin paused as he uttered
these words, and sat leaning his head
back against the curtain. He had used
no word Of endearment in speaking of
his promised wife, but the tone of sup
pressed passion told US how dearly he
had loved her.
Claire broke the silence: "Was she
very beautiful, cousin MAXI"
You have her living image there be-
fore you," he said, looking down at
Brides averted face.
saw my pet change color, and pres
entity 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:
''The time for our marriage was very
near when I again saw Gretta. Bust
ness had kept me from her much longer
han Ihad intended. had almost for
gotten the occurrence Of the preceding
year, and | hoped Gretta had also. [
cannot speak of those few weeks of
all too short as they were
The day came. We were to have been
married earl y in the day, but the pastor
fell down in strong convul-
sions, and one at some distance was sent
for. When Gretta was told of the de-
lay, she said quietly, I knew it would
be evening" The wedding was to be
as quiet as possible, on account of
Gretta's health, which, shut our eyes
as we would, we could not avoid seeing
was failing rapidly.
THE pastor arrived and the hour APP
preached. The air was very heavy, and,
opening the windows, [ went out upon
the terrace. Walking slowly forward
sew a figure in white corss the lower
terrace and come slowly up the steps,
near which 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 shrubbe1Ty.
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 l am here she said,
with a glance at the house, but 1 want
ed to see you again. Don't forget me,
Max. l will wait foryou.'
I'VE entered the house by different
ways, and in a few minutes her brother
came to call me. The service was COM
My eyes were fixed ON Gretta,
who was growing paler and paler at
every moment. Suddenly the tower
clock struck seven; she raised her eyes
to mine. I caught her in my arms, but