Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-07-31

against lamps. hOUeIG dllu All1ou WOl
arguing as to the reality Of supernatural
manifestations. The possibility of a sec
ond self appearing to warn one of ap
preaching death was mentioned, and Clair
turned suddenly to Max:
sMax, you are a German, and shoult
know about such things-you tell us" Hi
face was clearly, defined by the light stream
ing through the open window, and | saw
his lips compress suddenly, but when he
spoke it was in his usual even tone.
II certainly believe sucha thing posi-
BILE, Claire Indeed, may say [ know ii
to be So"
ooh, story, Cousin Max, a story Tel
us how you know, said Claire, eagerly.
He smiled slightly. lit is strange, but
I have been thinking Of this very subject.
IF | tell you, however, you must expect
me to be egotistical, for it is leaf -o out of
my own life. IN 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
stars beyond.
''About four years ago, I was visiting a
very intimate friend in the south of Ger
many. had never before seen his fami-
ly, though we had known each other for
some time. His father was strange, fan
ciful man, knowing every ghost legend and
old superstition by heart. My friend
laughed at all such, but his sister Gretta,
was a firm believer in all her fathers theo-
ries. | remained there for some months,
and before | left Gretta had promised to
] be my wife,
''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 favorite flower. and | Immediately
thought of her. Presently | heard a step
and a rustic of drapery. Right under my
window saw could swear to it-Gret-
ta's face and figure. sprang to my feet,
ran down the stairs and out into the street,
butlshe was gone, nor was there any other
person in sight. | returned to my room
baffied and wondering.
GA few days after I heard from Gretta;
she asked me to come to her at once. |
found her suffering from great nervous
excitement, which she bravely attempted
to control in the presence of ner father and
brother; but the evening Of arrival, as we
were all sitting together, she left the room
making q sign fol- 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 q weird unearthly look
upon her face that I fastened to arouse
her. spoke her name. She started, then
chung to me trembling violently. When
attempted to soothe her she burst into
tears. When she could speak she told me
that one evening she was standing where
we then stood when she saw a figure COM
ing up the steps from the lower terrace. -.
Thinking it was some visitor, she went
slowly forward. AS they came face to
face, the figure raised it's head, and she
saW-),erselfl
81 stood quite still' Gretta said to me,
and the thing came nearer, looking at me
with awful eyes. l tried to speak-to
move-but I was held as if by chains
Then something whether it was my
double or not, [ cannot tell, but I heard
the words-said "a year," The tower
clock struck seven, and then tainted
"That was the day on which l, too, had
seen the apparition. Gretta had spoken of
this to no one, but the impression that her
coming death had been foretold was firmly
seated in her mind. In vain I argued
against this idea she would only shake
her head and smile.
s'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, argued that an early day
might be fixed, but her father was obsti-
nate. THE stars had told him that day
would be a Hateful 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 I cannot be your wife on earth,
i WILL Ill u6cIF6u.
Our cousin paused as he uttered these
words, and sat leaning his head against
the curtain. He had used no word of en-
dearment in speaking of his promised wife,
but the tone of suppressed passion told us
how dearly he had loved her.
Claire broke the silence: EsWas she very
beautiful, Cousin Max ?7
"You have her living image there be-
fore you,' he said, looking down at Bird
les averted face.
| saw my pet change color, and presently
she arose and moved quietly away to one
of the windows opening on the garden
Max did not seem to notice the move
ment, and soon went on with his story:
s'The time for our marriage was very
near when I again SAW Gretta. Business
had kept Inc from her. much longer than |
had intended. | had almost forgotten the
occurrence Of the preceding year, and [
hoped Gretta had also. / cannot speak OF
those few weeks of happiness, all too short
as they we've. The day came. We were
to have been married early in the day, but
the pastor suddenly fell down in strong
commissions and one at some distance was
sent for When Gretta was told of the
delay she said quietly, I knew it would
be evening" The wedding was to be as
quiet as possible, on account of Grettas
health, which, shut our eyes as we would,
we could not avoid seeing, was failing
rapidly.
ssThe pastor arrived, and the hour APP
preached. The air was very heavy, and,
opening one Of the windows, 1 went out
upon the terrace. Walking slowly for