The free citizen. (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-04-10
Charlie chmo in while wo wor

!" Katie iii p he snid, with shadow
; on His brow. Is it anything serious,
uncle ?" 's..,n.-.
What business had he to take any
special interest in Katie.
""Only a headache,' r answered,
coldly. She is subject to such attacks.
Bring in the tea, Bridget
"We shall have d loHesome evening" I"
Charlie sighed. .!7u~ hGa IA.
I half believed that he was in love
with the girl himself.
Katie, I missed her bright face behind
the tea-tray, Charlie left his cup un-
tasted. My jealousy was aroused, and
/ watched him keenly,
AS soon as we were alone, / said, half
angrily, What is the matter, Charlie?
You look as if you hadn't friend on
earth. didn't know before that you
liked Katie 80 we'll"
The crimson leaped up to his very
brow. :, & |
"I am glad that you do I con-
tinued, hastily, I" for you will soon be
connected by ties of relationship. She
has promised to be my wife"
You are iesting, uncle!'' he said,
doubtingly.
IT was never more serious in my
| lie, answered.
Charlie showed evident signs Of agi-
tatior.
"You have no right to sacrifice that
young girl" he said, bitterly. "You
are old enough to be lIer father. Of
course she accepted You from gratitude.
How dare you think of such thing ?'
emo wonder that you rave" 1 re-
piled, with mocking smile; you are
disappointed of your inheritance"
At that moment the wind gave fear
ful shrek outside, and I thought of
Anastasia.
Are you not afraid to marry again?"
Charlie inquired, maliciously. "You
remember the warning?"
Nonsense !" answered; " it will
take something more than ghost to
frighten me out of this marriage"
L had scarcely finished speaking,
when there came gust of wind, and n
crashing Of glass, and the storm actual
ly swept into the room. We glanced
around ns in dismay. The bonghs of
a large elm tree, that stood in front of
the house, had fallen against the win
dow. ~ 81
Charlie gave me q peculiar look as I
covered over tho fire, and then barred
4 tho windeI in luck q Y manner as keep
'fS' III rStrithRtt groom eDFt:t'
1 oped us both, and wesdid not return
again to the subject We had been dis
| cussiug. Our conversation was fitful,
and it seemed relief when we separated
at bedtime.
There is no use i'll denying that was
troubled little with superstitious
fears. peered round anxiously into
every corner of the room before retir.
ing, but found no sign of any mys-.
terious visitant. I had such foar of
tho darkness, however, that I left the
candle burning. - =, :
The fury of the storm had not abated,
and lazy awake some time listening to
the wind. At last however, foil into,
an uneasy slumber. How long I had
slept know not, when wae awakened
4 by an icy touch upon my forehead.
Il started up, with thrill of appre-
hension. The light emitted n faint,
sepulehral gleam.e 81. horror what
white, came gliding toward me from
the foot Of the bed. The face was hid
den from my view, but I knew from
the form that it was the ghost of Anas-
tasia.
William Raymond" came in
hoarse voice from tho figure; "I am
here to avenge your inidelity, and 70
drag you down to the grave in my en-
| BRACE"
I shrieRed with terror :as felt her
clutch my throat, and cried, family,
Mercy mercy !"
| "You would marry Katie Nelson,
would you? whispered the ghost,
mockingly. IF you do not wish to
die and here the icy fingers pressed
so tight that | gasped for breath
"promise me that you will. not take a
4 second wife"
"Oh, promise I promise |" said I,
half dead with terror.
Woe be unto you, if you deceive
me answered the ghost solemnly.
And heard no more.
It was some time, however, before I
ventured to cast timid glance around
the room. The ghost had disappeared.
The storm, too, was beginning to sub
side ; but could not go to sleep again,
for found it impossible to forget that
phantom and it's deadly clutch upon my
throat. lresolved to say nothing about
it. or course, people would ridicule
the idea of q ghost. Nevertheless, I
did not dare to wed Katie Nelson yet
how could explain this Sudden change
of purpose? I fervently hoped that
che would not die of q broken heart,
the poor child What should I say to
her?
After considerable reflection, [ re.
solved to trust this delicate affair to
Charlie. The proposed marriage was
80 odious in his eyes that knew he
would justify, my apparent treachery to