The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-03-12
ANASTASIA'S GHOST.

vember night. Some vague present.
ment of evil weighed upon my heart, rs
l sat alone in the twilight. And yet
there was nothing apparently to make
me gloomy. On the contrary, | ought
TO have been more than usually cheer
full !; had l not received a delicious
promise from Katie Nelson that very
afternoon
At seemed to be odd, to be sure, that a
gray-haired widower like myself was to
marry this girl of eighteen. Her mother
had been a housekeeper in our family,
but died soon after Katie's birth. SO it
happened that she was adopted by us, as
we had no children Of our own. Ny
wife treated her kindly, but without
much warmth of feeling. Anastasia was
of such peculiar disposition that 1 act
ually believed she was jealous of this
infant.
Poor Anastasia she warned me sol
.cmnly on her death-bed never TO marry
again, and threatened to rise from her
grave III case of such an event.
Katie was III her tenth year when my
wife died, L sent her away to board
ing school ; and, as business called me
abroad did not see her again until my
return, eight years afterwards. / was
somewhat bewildered to find lovely
woman, instead of the little girl / had
left ia short dresses. OF course you can.
guess the sequel. fell in love with this
charming adopted daughter. There was
something III the frank tenderness of her
manner that completely won my heart.
1t was evident that she was deeply at
tached to me. / could not help seeing
how much higher she valued my society
than that OF my nephew, Charles Ray
mond, who had accompanied me from
abroad. She never addressed him ex-
Dept in monOsyllables,. and would flush
all over with embarrassment if he but
entered the room. But with me, she
was always self-possessed, and so talka-
tive and soclable that l could not help
plying Charlie He was really quite
good-looking, and [ used to wonder
sometimes mt her antipathy. Poor fell
low how | dreaded to tell him 'of NV
approaching happiness. 1t would be a
great blow to his hopes, FOR he had ex-
pehted to inherit my fortune.
Katie wasn't bit like other girls that
] had eysr known anything about. In
stead of 'blushing ut my confession that
afternoon she turned pale, and shiyered
az if struck by sudden chill. 1 no
ticed, too, that there was strange
culver i'll her voice when she finally con-
sented to be my wife, / was apprehen-
sive that Charlie had told her what An
astasia had said on her death bed. And
yet / couldn't believe her would be so in
considerate. Somehow, Icouldn't forget
Shat warming. Anastasia was remark
able woman, and would surely keep her
word, if ghosts are permitted to walk the
earth. Thinking thus, Logan to grow
frightened at the shadows in my room,
and hastily rang the bell for lights.
Why are you so late, Bridget"
asked, sharply, as the servant entered
the room.
Indade, sir, and it's meself that's
been with Miss Katie every blessid min
nit, and she's almost kilt with pain in
her head"
Could this be the result of our con-
versation that afternoon Considerably |
startled, / questioned Bridget eagerly.
Charlie came in while we were talking.
"Katie ill.," he said, with shadow
ON his brow sc Is it anything serious,
uncle 2"
What business had he to take any
special interest in Katie.
"Only a headache" L answered.
coldly. "She is subject to such attacks. /
Bring in the tea, Bridget"
eve shall have a lonesome evening, /"
Charlie sighed.
/ half believed that he was in love with
the girl himself.
It was cheerless, though, without
Katie. / missed her bright face behind
the tea-tray. Charlie left his cup un-
tasted Ny jealousy was aroused, and
watched him keenly.
As soon SIS we were alone, j said, half /
angrily, What is the matter, Charlie
You look as if you hadn't n friend on
earth. / didn't know before that you
liked Katie 80 well.
The crimson leaped up to his very
brow.
CT am glad that you do" / continued,
hastily, " for you will soon be connected /
by ties of relationship. She has prom
Used to be my wife. y
"You are testing, uncle" he said,
doubtingly.
81 was never moro serious in my life"
answered.