The free citizen. (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-04-10
i.ghaflisL ckme in iwhils we jwer.

special Interest in Katie. ~
H"OnlyL d "headache,' t answered,
colby. l!d1l YShe is subject to SUCH attacks.
| Bring in the tea, Bridget"
|1GasWe:sh have d loGesome evening" J"
Charlie sigheda2.iu9 hila o,lj h ri -,,y
I half believed that he was in love
with the girl himself: - 'o'' ;''.'''. iit
1T. wasT | cheerldss, though, without
Katie. missed her bright face behind
the tea-tray, Charlie left his cup un-
tasted. My jealousy was aroused, and
I watched him keenly, y' m.
AS. soon as we were alone, I said, half
! angrily, ",What is the matter, Charlie?
You look as. if you hadn't q friend on
earth. I didn't know before that you
liked Katie 80 we'll"
The crimson leaped up to his very
brow. : = Fg
"I am glad that you d." con-
tinued, hastily, " for you will soon be
connected by ties of relationship. She
has promised to be my wife"
/" You are jesting, uncle!" he said,
doubtingly.
II was never more serious in my
life, I answered.
Charlie showed evident signs Of agi-
tatioa.
you have no right to sacrifice that
young GIRL" he said, bitterly. "You
are old enough to be lrer father. Of
course she accepted you from gratitude.
How dare you think of such thing ?"
emo wonder that you rave" I re-
piled, with mocking smile; 'you are
disappointed of your inheritance"
At that moment the wind gave fear
full shrek outside. and I thought of
Anastasia.
8" are you not afraid to marry again?"
Charlie inquired, maliciously. "You
remember the warning p
g Nonsense - I answered Hiit will
take something more than ghost to
frighten me out of this marriage"
had scarcely finished speaking,
J crashing of glass, and the storm actual
ly swept into the room. We glanced
around ns in dismay. The boughs of
a large elm tree, that stood in front of
the house, had fallen against the win
Charlie gave me b peculiar look, as I
covered over the fire, and hthen barred
+ the ,vindew i'm: EIIell q MINNIE, ss kesp
fnil IS atf fanga gloom enyelEE Z
soped uss both, and wee did not return
/ again t0 the subject we had been dis
cussiug. Our, conversation was fitful.
and itsecmed n relief when we separated
at bed time. ,.,..,
There is no use in denying that I was
troubled little with superstitious
fears. peered round anxiously into
every corner of the room before retir.
ing, but found no sign of any mys-
terious visitant. I had ouch O. fear Of
the darkness, however, that left the,
candle burning. .N---i' = -
The fury of the storm had not abated,
and lay awake; some'ttme listening to-
the wind. At last, however, fell into
an uneasy slumber. How long I had
slept know not, when I wac awakened
byEan 10y touoh upon my forehead.
II statted up, with thrill of appre-
hension. The light emitted a faint,
seepulchral gleam. 1h, horror !! what
was hatI saw? RtAafgure, 1oped in
white Game tgliding toward me from
the foot of the bed. The face was hid
den from my view, but I knew from
the form that it was the ghost of Anas-,
tasia.
William Raymond" came in
hoarse voice from the figure; "I am
here to avenge your infidelity, and to
drag you down to the grave in my en-
brace"
! Il IIshrieRed with terror rs /, felt her
>clutolr 1hy threat, and cried, family,
MERCY! mercy /"
"You would marry Katie Nelson,
would you? whispered the ghost,
mockingly. IF YOU do not wish to
die and here the 10y fingers pressed
80 tight that gasped for breath
tpromise me that you will not take a
SECOND? wife" ~ E-SS-;sA@A
sob, I promise I promise |" said I,
half dead with terror.
Woe be unto you, if you deceive
me !" answered the ghost solemnly.
And I heard no more. ;.,
1t was some time, however, before I
ventured to cast timid glance around
the room. The ghost had disappeared.
The storm; too, was beginning to sub
side but I could not go to sleep again,
for, I found it impossible to forget that
phantom and its deadly clutch upon my
throat. Iresolved to say nothing about
it. OF course, people would ridicnle
the idea of ghost. Nevertheless, I
did not dare to wed Katie Nelson yet
how could I explain this sudden change
of purpose? feivently hoped that
she would not die of broken heart,
the poor child What should / say to
her?
After considerable reflection, re.
solved to trust this delicate affair to
Charlie. The proposed marriage was
so odious in his eyes that I knew he
would justify my apparent treaohery to
her, if possible. '."
Morning came, and arose in fever.
ish, state of minde How [ dreaded to
meet Katie at the breakfast tablet but,