The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1875-04-02
ANASTASIA,S GHOST.


How well remember that dismal No
vember 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 more than usually cheer
ful had not received delicious
promise from Katie Nelson that very
afternoon?
It seemed 10 be odd, to be sure, that
gray-haired widower like myself was to
marry this girl of eighteen. Her mother
had been 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 a peculiar disposition that act
ually believed she was jealous of this
infant
Poor Anastasia she warned me sol
emnly on her death-bed never to marry
again, and threatened to rise from her
grave in case of such an event.
Katie was In her tenth year when my
wife died. / sent her away to board
ing school and, as business called me
abroad, did not see her again until my
return, eight years afterwards. I was
somewhat bewildered to find lovely
woman, instead of the little girl I 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.
It was evident that she was deeply at
taehed to me- GOULD not help seeing
how much higher she valued my society
than that of my nephew, Charles Raw
mond, who had accompanied me from
abroad. She never addressed him ex
cept IL monosyllables, and would flush
all over with embarrassment If ne but
entered the room. But with me, she
was always self-possessed, and so talka-
tive and sociable that could not help
pitying Charlie. He was really quite
good-lookng, and I used to wonder
sometimes at her antipathy. Poor fell
low how I dreaded to tell him of nv
approaching happiness. 1t would be o
great blow to his hopes, for he had ex-
pected to inherit my fortune.
Katie wasn't a bit Like other girls that
I had ever known anything about. In
stead of bfllshing at my confession that
afternoon she turned pale, and shivered
as if struck by a sudden chill I mo-
iced, too, that there was a strange
quiver in her voice when she finally con-
sented to be my wife. I 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, I couldn't forget
that warming. Anastasia wRs q remark
able woman, and would surely keep her
word, if ghosts are permitted to walk the
earth. Thinking thus, i kegan to grow
frightened at the shadows in my room,
and hastily rang the bell for lights.
6 Why are you so late, Bridget"
asked, sharply, as the servant entered
the room.
q 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 afternoon2 Considerably
startled, I questioned Bridget eagerly.
Charlie came In while we were talking.
Katie Ill 20 he said, with shadow
on his brow. g Is it anything serious,
uncle 2'
What business had he to take any
special interest in Katie.
Only headache, . I answered,
coldly. g She is subject TO such attacks.
Bring in the tea, Bridget "
s. We shall have lonesome evening, -
Charlie sighed.
half believed that he wasin love with
the girl himself.
It was cl1eerless, though, without
Katie. I missed her bright face behind
the tea-tray. Charlie left his cup I'M
tasted. My jealousy was aroused and
watched him keenly.
As soon as we were alone, I said, half
angrily, g What is the uaeeer, Charieg
You look as If You hadn t friend on
earth. didn't Eow before that you
liked Katie so well. "
The crimson leaped up TO his very
s am glad that you do. " continued.
hastily, for you win soon be connected
by ties of relationship. She has prom
ised to be my wife.
:. You are iesting, unolei'' he said,
donbtingly.
II was never more serious IL my life. .
I answered.
Charlie showed evident agns of a0ita-
ton.
g You have no right TO aacriface chat
young girl z he said, bitterly. e You ara
old enough to be her father. OF course
she accepted you from grakituda. How
dare You think of such 8 thinoa
e No wonder that yoz1 rave, 1repIied.
with Tnockang smile: e y0u are disap-
pointed Of your inheritance.
At that moment the wind gave B fear
ful sbriek outside, and thought Of
Anastasia. s
e Are you not afraid 50 marry again ~
Charlie inquired, naliciOusHv. = You re-
member the warning az fs
N,or1aeysfs -, Fusruara.1 e vSJ;l