The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-06-17
versation was fitful, and it seemed re-
lief when we separated at bed time.

troubled a little with superstitious fears
| peered anxiously into every corner o
the room before retiring, but found M
sign of any mysterious visitant. l had
such a fear of the darkness, however
that left the candle burning.
The fury of the storm had not abated
and / lay awake sometime listening Il
the wind. At last, however, fell into
an uneasy slumber. How long l hat
slept / know not, when was awakened
by an icy touch upon my forehead.
I started up with thrill of apprehen
sion. The light emitted faint, sepul.
chral CLEAN. o, horror! what was that
l saw? A figure, robed in white, came
gliding toward me from the foot of the
bed. The face was hidden from my
view, but 1 knew by the form that it was
the ghost of Anastasia.
civilian Raymond" came in harsh
voice from the figure, 81 am here tC
avenge your infdelity, and to drag you
down to the grave in my embrace"
l shrieked with terror as l felt hel
clutch at my throat, and cried, family
"Mercy! mercy"
"You would marry Katie Nelson
would your" whispered the ghost, mock.
ingly. eff you do not wish to die"-and
here the icy fingers pressed so tight that
gasped for breath-"promise me that
you will not marry Katie Nelson"
30, l promise, promise!" said /, hall
dead with terror.
"Woe be unto you, if you deceive mev
answered the ghost, solemnly. And /
heard no more.
1t was some time, however, before I
ventured to cast glance around the
room. The ghost had disappeared. The
storm, too, was beginning to subside;
but could not go to sleep again, for /
found it impossible to forget that phan-
tom and its deadly clutch upon my
threat. / resolved to say nothing about
it.
OF course people would ridicule the
id "a of ghost. Nevertheless, l did not
dare to wed Katie Nelson; yet how could
/ explain this sudden change of purpose?
l fervently hoped that she would not die
of a broken heart! What should l say to
the poor girl?
After considerable reflection, l resolved
to trust this delicate affair to Charlie.
The proposed marriage was so odious in
his eyes that l knew he would justify my
apparent treachcry to her if possible.
Morning came, and arose in fever
ish state of mind. How l dreaded to
meet Katie at the break East table. But,
fortunately, she did not make her ap
pearance. Charlie looked SO troubled
that almost fancied he, too, had seen
the ghost.
After breakfast l said to him, with an
embarrassment that strove to hide,
"My dear boy, do you remember what
we were talking about last evening? l
have been thinking the matter over seri-
ously. and am afraid that marriage be-
tween Katie and myself will result in
unhappiness; but l have not the courage
to brave her reproaches. Now, Charlie,
will you act as mediator, and make
known this change in my views?"
"Why, uncle" he answered, and / was
almost sure that / saw g,eam of mis-
chief in his eyes, something extraor-
dinary must have happened; you are not
usually SO fckle."
owe won't discuss the NATTER" said /,
in an irritated tone. "Will you, or will
you not grant my request?"
"Of course l will" he replied; "but it
is difficult task. The poor child will
be SO disappointed.
l detected a joyous ring in his voice,
and looked at him rather suspiciously.
His diplomatic mission was successful,
however. Late in the afternoon Katie
came down into the library where l was
sitting. 1 had never seen her look so
pretty.
20, Mr.. Raymond!' she said, eagerly,
~ am so glad that you have changed
your mind. 1t was 80 unexpected yes
terday. 1 never dreamed before that
you loved me in any other way than as a
daughter"
Was this acting? Was she trying to
deceive me, in her pure and sweet un-
selfishness?
"Then you never loved me?''
"Dear Mr.. Raymond, you know better,
only it was not exactly the kind of love
one ought to feel toward husband.
You are as dear to me as if you were my
own father; but you are SO much older
than /, that-that-"
She hesitated, and did not finish her
sentence. / remembered my gray hairs
with a pang of mortified vanity. Was
not the ghostly visit enough? Must /
be tortured in this manner afterward?
The veil was torn away from the delu-
sion had cherished. Alasl l had mis-
interpreted her childish affection. 1t
might be that she loved another. l
looked down into the face where vivid
scarlet glowed, and there read her own
secret.
"My dear child" I exclaimed, at
to control my agitation, "tell
me every thing"
80, Mr.. Raymond" she answered, in
"Charlie has asked me to be
his wife,"
The rascal No wonder that he re-
mained with her such long time that
morning; no wonder that he boasted OF
the satisfactory manner in which every
thing had been explained,
"The impudent fellowp ! muttered,
"What did you answer,
child? Do you love him?"
Low and very softly came the answer,
eyes"
The heart of a woman is a mystery
can not fathom. / was certainly out
witted by my nephew. He might have
been afraid, however, that my conscience
would reproach me IL Katie showed her
disappointment. i have little doubt
that she loved me far better than she
would confess.
All, well they were married in due
course of time, and we are all living to-
gether. The dear children do every
thing they can to add to my happiness.
Katie is still beautiful woman, and
Charlie is certainly the staff of my old
age.
/ never saw the ghost again. In fact,
have good reason to think that the
visitant was certain grace
less nephew Of mine, who had fallen in
love with Katie. Of course / forgave
the deception long ago, as it saved me
from a terrible mistake.
am much happier, probably, than If
I had married the young girl whose
heart belonged to another
I em not certain, however, that she