The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-04-08
ANAsTAsIA'B GHOST.

ANASTASIA'5 GHOST.
How we'll I remember that dismal
November night. Some vague present
iment of evil weighed upon my heart,
as I sat alone in the twilight. And yet
there was nothing apparently to make
me gloomy. On the contrary, I ought
to have been more than usually cheer
full /; had I not received a delicious
promise from Katie Nelson that very
afternoon?
It seemed TO be odd, to be sure, that
gray-haired widower like myself wss 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. My
wife treated her kindly, but without
much warmth of feeling. Anastasia was
of such a peculiar disposition that I
actually believed she WAS jealous of this
infant.
Poor Anastasia she warned me sol
emnly on her death-bed never to marry
again, ard threatened to rise from her
grave in case of such an event.
Katie was in her tenth year when my
wife died. I sent her away TO a board
ing school and, as business called me
abroad, did not see her again untn my
return. eight years afterwards. 1 was
somewhat bewildeTed to find lovely
woman, instead of the little girl 1 had
left in short dresses. OF course you can
guess the sequel I fell in love with
this charming adopted daughter. There
was something in the frank tenderness
of her manner that completely won my
heart.
1t was evident that she was deeply
attached to me. 1 could not help see
ing how much higher she valued my
society than that of my nephew, Charles
| Raymond, 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 vas always self-possessed, and so
taIkatiye and sociable that could not
help pityiDg Charlie. He was really
quite good-looBing, and used to won
der sometimes at her antipathy. Poor
| fellow; how I dreaded to tell him of my
approaching happiness. It would be a
| great blow to his hopes, for he had ex-
pected to inherit my fortune.
Katie wasn't bit like other girls that
I had ever known anything about. In
stead of blushing at my confession that
afternoon she turned pale, and shivered
as if struck by sudden chill. L To-
ticed, too, that there was a strange
culver IL her voice when she finally
consented d to be my wife. was appre-
hensive that Charlie had told her what
Anastasia had said on her death bed.
And yet couldn't believe her ghost
/ would be so inconsiderate. Somehow,
I couldn't forget that warning. Anas a
| III =
| surely keep her word, If ghosts are per.
mitied to walk the earth. Thinking
thus, I began to grow frightened at the
| shadows in my room. and hastily rams
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 il
her head. "
Gould this be the result of our con
versation that afternoon ConsiGeTa
bly, STARTLED, I questioned Bridget eager
". Charlie came in while we were
talking.
Katie i'll ?'' he said, with a shadow
on his brow. els it anything serious
uncle %
What business had he to take any
special interest in Katie.
" Only a headache" I answered
coldly "She is subject to such attacks
Bring in the tea, Bridget" "
"We shall have a lonesome evening,
Charlie sighed.
I half believed that he was in low
with the girl himself.
It was cheerless, though, withou
Katie. I missed her bright face behinC
the tea-tray, Charlie left his cup un
tasted. Ny jealousy was aroused, anC
watched him keenly.
AS soon as we were alone, l said, hal
angrily, What is The matter, Charlie
You look as if you hadn't a friend ol
earth. didn't know before that yol
liked Katie so we'll.
The crimson leaped up 20 his yer.
brow.
"T am glad that you do. ' I con
tinued, hastily, 4" for you viii soon b
connected by ties Of relationship. Sh
has promised to be my wife.
: You are jesting, uncle T. he said
doubtingly.
'I was never more serious in N
, life" I answered.
: Charlie showed evident signs Of ag
! tatioG.
lou nave no fl8ub 70 httchtICe tna
} young girl" !" he said, bitterly. "Yo
are old enough to be her father. Q
course she accepted You from gratitude
3 How dare you think of such q thing
4" No wonder that you rave, I rC
! piled, with a moeking smile; ''yOu al
disappointed of your inheritance"
] At that moment the wind gave a feai
r ful shrek outside. and I thought {
e Anastssia.
g Are you not afraid to marry agsini
, Charlie inquired, maliciously. "Yo
/ remember the warniug2 ?"
i Nonsense = I answered 1t WI
= take something more than a ghost
] frighten me out of this marriage.
! had scarcely finished speaking