Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-11-15

anu Max were left 10 amtlse each other.
lie was quite an artist, and greatly TO
Brides delight had Offered Opalnt her pic
ture. The rcst OF us were excluded from
the stgdio; for, rs IL was his first attempt
al porirait-painting. we were not to be al
lowed TO judge Of his success or failure
until the picture was finished. lie was al
so teaching German TO Birdie, and every
morning found them under The trees in
the orchard, Birdie with her work, and
Max reclining on the grass beside her,
reading in his low. thrilling voice, the
legends Of his Fatherland.
Blind-blind Did no one of us ever
see that the child-smile had passed away
from our darling's face? Did no one ever
think that the soft shining i'm her dark
eyes might be the light of a woman's love?
The picture was finished on my birth
day, and was the Gift of Max TO me. We
were all taken in to see IL. and never since
have beheld so lovely picture. Brides
very self stood before us, dressed as
Max had first seen her. But the face-the
exquisite dcwy sOftness Of her eyes-the
lips, just parted in Il happy smile! The
others were congratulating Max. could
only clasp Birdie in my arms, and hide my
foolish tears on her shoulder.
That evening we were all sitting in the
moonlight. Max was smoking by the
window, and Birdie in her usual place on
a footstool 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 bril-
lance of the moonlight, and everyone pro-
tested against lamps. Robert and Alfred
were arguing rs to the reality of supernat-
ural manifestations. The possibility of Il
second self appearing to warn one of ap-
preaching death was mentioned, and Claire
turned suddenly to Max:
Max, you are German. and should
know about such things-yeu tell u.s."
His face was clearly defined by the light
streaming through the open window, and
| saw his lips compress suddenly; but
when he spoke it was in his usual even
tone.
II certainly believe such thing posi-
bic, Claire. Indeed. may say kIaoao it to
be so.''
40, a story! Cousin Max, story. Tell
us holo you Know" said Claire, eagerly.
He smiled slightly. ''It is strange, but
Ii | tell you. however, you must expect
me to be egotistical. for il 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 wist-
fully to his face, but his were fiXed'on the
stars beyond.
About four years ago, i was visiting a
very intimate friend in the south of Ger
many. had never before seen his family,
| though we had known each other for some
| time. His father was strange, fanciful
man. knowing every ghost legend and old
superstition by heart. My friend laughed
at all such, but his sister, Gretta, was q
firm believer in all her fathers theories.
remained there for some months, and be-
fore left, Gretta had 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 | am now, when
suddenly | was surrounded by an over
powering scent of viOlets. This was Gret
ta's f;Ivorite flower, and | Immediately
thought of her. Presently heard a step
and rustic of drapery. Right under my
window | saw-I could swear to it-Gret
ta's face and figure. | sprung to my feet
ran down the stairs, and out into the
street, but she was gone, nor was ther'
any other person in sight. | returned u
my room baffled and wondering.
"A few days after, heard from Gretta
she begged me TO come to her at once.
found her suffering from great nervous eX
element, which she bravely attempted t.
control in the presence of her father ant
brother; but the evening OF my arrival, a
we were all sitting together, she left TIN
room, making a sign TO me to follow her
found her on the terrace. She was stand
ing with her hands clasped loosely befor
her, her eyes fixed on something in TIN
distance, and such weird, unearthly lOol
upon her face, that fastened to arous
/ her. Laying my hand upon her arm,
spoke her name. She started, then clunl
to me, trembling violently. When L al
tempted to soothe her, she burst into tears
When she could speak, she told me tina
one evening she was standing where W
then stood, when she saw a figure coming
up the steps from the lower terrace
Thinking it some visitor, she went slowl
! forward. As they came face TO face, tn
. figure raised its head, and she saw-hel
self!
IL stood quite STILL" Gretta said to mt
, "and the thing came nearer. looking q
me with awful eyes. Etried to speak-t
move-but | was held as if by chains
Then neutrality-suspicious. 1t was IN
| double or not, L cannot tell, but L hear
the words-said n yedr.'' The tower
clock struck seven, and then tainted"
sThat was the day OH which |, too, ha
I seen the apparition. Gretta had spoken {
this to no one, but the impression that he
coming death had been foretold was firm
, ly seated in her mind. In vain / argue
! against this idea; she would only shake he
! head, and smile.
2 1.-The day on which the apparition fir
manifested itself was Gretta's birthda.
: and that day in the coming year was tiXe
a upon for our marriage. Thinking tn;
! change of scene would restore my Gretta
falling health, urged that an earlier ola
p might be fixed, but her father was obsi
!, nate. The stars had told him that ola
4 would be a fateful one in her life,' an
. nothing would induce him TO change
. When told Gretta of my failure, she sa
. gently. You must not be vexed about
n Max. If / cannot he your wife on cart
| will be i'm heaven"
S Our cousin paused as he uttered the
e words. and sat leaning his head baC
n against the curtain. He had used no wo
= of endearment in speaking of his promist
-:e. b,,t +ha tOna of stInnrpSSed mas gsif