Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-08-19
ANASTASIA'S GHOST.

How WELL l. remember Jnat ulSmal
November night. Some vague present.
ment of evil weighed upon my heart, as
sat alone in the twilight. And yet there
was nothing apparently to make me
gloomy On the contrary, ought to have
been moH than usually cheerful; had
not received delicious promise from Kate
Nelson that very afternoons
1t seemed odd, to be sure, that gray
haired old 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 hap
pened that she was adopted by us, as we
had no children of our own. My wife
treated her kindly but without much
warmth of feeling. Anastasia was of such
peculiar disposition that l actually be-
lieve she was jealous of this infant.
Poor Anastasia! she warned me solemn
ly on her deathbed never to marry again,
and threatened to rise from her grave in
such an event.
Katie was in her tenth year when my
wife died. | sent her away to boarding
school: and, as business called me abroad,
did not see her again until my return,
eight wears afterward ! was somewhat
bewildered to find lovely woman in
stead of the little girl had left in short
dresses. OF course you can guess the
sequel. / fell in love with this charming
adopted daughter. There was something
in the frank tenderness of her manner
that completely won my heart.
II 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 except
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 laxative and sociable
that could not help plying Charlie. He
was really good-looking, and | used to
wonder sometimes at her antipathy. Poor
fellow! How | dreaded to tell him of my
approaching happiness. 1t would be a
great blow to his hopes, for he expected to
inheritmy fortune.
Katies wasn't a bit like other girls that
had ever known anything about. In.
stead Of blushing at my confession that
afternoon she turned pale and shivered as
if struck by a sudden chill. | noticed,
too, that there was strange culver IN her
voice when she finally consented TO be my
wife. / was apprehensive that Charlie
had told her what Anastasia had said on
her death bed And yet / could not be-
lieve he would be so inconsiderate. Some
how I couldn't forget that warning.
-Anastasia was remarkable woman, and
would surely keep her word, if ghosts are
permitted to walk the earth. Thinking
thus, began to grow frightened at the
shadows in my room, and hastily rang the
bells for lights.
why are you so late, BridgetS" /
asked, sharply, as the servant entered the
room.
"Indeed, sir, and it's meself that's been
with Miss Kate every blessed minnit, and
she's almost kilt with pain in her head. y
Could this be the result of our CONVEX.
saton that afternoons Considerably
startled, questioned Bridget eagerly.
Charlie came in while we were talking.
- Katie i'll ~ he said, with a shadow on
his brow. Is it anything serious, un-
.cleg'
What business had he to take any special
interest in Katies
Only headache,"I answered, coldly
:" She is subject to such attacks. Bring in
the tea, Bridget"
We shall have lonesome evening"
Charlie sighed
1 nall believed that he was In love with
the girl himself.
1t was cherries, though, without Katie.
missed her bright face behind the tea
tray. Charlie left his cup untasted. My
Jealousy was aroused and / watched him
keenly.
AS soon as we were alone said, half
angrilly:
What is the matter, Charlies You
look as if you hadn't friend on earth.
didn't know, before, that you liked Katie
: so we'll"
The crimson leaped up to his very
brow.
am glad that you do,' / continued
hastily, I" for you will soon be connected
by the ties of relationship. She has prom
ised TO be my wife"
You are jesting, uncle" he said doubt
ingly
F" was never more serious in my life,
/ answered.
Charlie showed evident signs Of agita
!, ton.
Z +" You have no right to sacrifice tina
young girl" he said bitterly You arr
oad enough to be her father Of cours'