The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-06-15

the light streaming through the open
window, and I saw his lips compress
suddenly; but when he spoke 1t was
in his usual even tone.
"I certainly believe such O thing
possible, Claire. Indeed, I may say ]
kn0,0 II to be so."
40, a story | Cousin Max, q story.
Tell us hOtO you know" said Claire,
eagerly.
He smiled slightly. ait is strange,
but I have been thinking Of this very
subject. II I tell you, however, you
must expect me to be egotistical, for 1t
is a leaf out Of my own life 1 must
show you."
Something in his tone impressed us
all, and We sat very silent, waiting for
him to commence. Brides eyes were
lifted wistfully to his face, but his
were fixed on the stars beyond.
"About four years ago, I was visit
ing very intimate friend in the south
OF Germany. I had never before seen
his family, though we had known each
other for some time. His father was O
strange, ianciiul man, knowing every
ghost legend and old superstition by
heart. My friend laughed OF all such,
but his sister, Gretta, was a firm be.
lever in all her fathers theories. re.
NAMED there for some months, and be-
fore I left, Gretta had promised to be
my wife,"
His voice fell, and it was some mo-
ments before he continued.
"Four years ago, tonight, 1 was sit
ting by al open window, as am now,
when suddenly / was surrounded by an
oyerpowering scent Of yiolets. This
was Gretta's fayorite flower, and / i'm
mediately thought OF her. Presently
heard step, and O rustic Of drapery.
Right under my window Isaw-I could
swear to oit-Gretta's face and figure. ]
sprang to my feet, ran down the stairs
and out into the street, but she was
gone, nor was there any other person
In sight. I returned to my room baf
fled and wondering.
"a few days after, I heard from
Gretta; she begged me to come to hel
at once. I 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 o 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, unearthly look upon her face,
that I hastened TO arouse her. Laying
my hand upon her arm, I spoke her
name. She started, then clung to me,
trembling violently. When 1 attempt.
ed 10 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 coming up the steps from the
lower terrace. Thinking It some visitor,
she went slowly forward. As they came
face TO face, the figure raised its head,
and she saw-herselfl qa
"I stood quite STILL" Gretta said to
me, "and the thing came nearer, look
ing at me with awful eyes. I tried to
speak-to move-but / was held, as II
by chains. Then neutrality-suspicious.
it was my double or not, / cannot tell,
but I heard the words-said "a year z
Tie tower. clock struck seven, and then
I Ifainted.n
] "That was the day on which ], too,
had seen the apporition. 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 I argued against this
idea; she would only shake her head,
E 1.-THE day on which the apparition
tirst manifested itself was Gretta's
birthday, aud 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 IN earlier day might be fix
cd, but her father was obstinate. 'The
stars had told him that day would be q
iateful one in her life,' and nothing
would induce him TO change 1t. When
/ told Grstta Of my failure, she said
gently, sYou must not be vexed about
L, MIX. II ! cannot be your wife on
earth, I will be in heaven
Our cousin paused Us 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 tho silence: "Was she
very beautiful, cousin Max2'
SYou have her living image there
before you," he said, looking down ut
BRIDES ayerted face. ).
/ saw my pet change color, md
presently she arose, and moved quietly
away 10 one OF tue 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. BuBi-
ness had kept me from her much long.
or than had intended. ] had almost
forgotten the occurrence OF the precedi
ing year, and I hoped Gretta had also.
/ cannot speak Of those few short weeks
ofhappiness, all too short as they were.
The day came. We were to have been
married early in the day, but the pas.
tor suddenly fell down in strong conyul.
sions, and one 'at some distance was
sent for. When Gretta was told OF the
delay she said, quietly, Il knew IL
would be evening" The wedding was
to be as quiet as possible, on account
Of Gretta's health, which, shut our
eyes rs we would, we could not avoid
seeing was failing rapidly. I