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

4
with hooking smile; "you are disap-
| pointed OF your Inheritance
At that moment the wind gave fearful
shrek outside, and thoughto Anastasia.
Are you not afraid to marry again.
Charlie inquired maliciously. You re-
member the warningg''
Nonsenser' answered; 1t will take
something more than ghost to brighten
me out of this marriage"
had scarcely finished speaking when
there came gust of wind and crashing
Of glass, and the storm actually swept into
the room. We glanced around us in dis
may. The boughs of large elm tree that
stood in front of the house had fallen
against the window.
Charlie gave peculiar look as l cow
cred over the fire, and then barred the
window in such manner as to keep
on the rain. A strange gloom envel-
opal us both, and we did not return
aga, to the subject we had been discuss
ing. Our conversation was fitful, and it
seemed relief when we separated at bed
time.
There is no use denying that was
troubled little with superstitious fears.
peered anxiously into every corner of
the room before retiring, but / found no
sign of my mysterious visitant Ihad such
fear of the darkness, however, that / left
the candle burning
The fury of the storm had not abated,
and lay awake some time listening to the
wind. At last, however, fell into an un-
easy slumber. How long / had slept |
know not, when was awakened by an icy
touch upon my forehead.
started up with thrill of apprehen-
sion The light emitted a faint, sepulchral
CLEAN. O horror! what was that saw
A figure, robed in white, came gliding
toward me from the foot of the bed.
The face was hidden from my view, but
knew by the form that it was the ghost Of
Anastasia.
William Raymond, came in hoarse
voice from the figure, 81 came here to
avenge your infdelity, and to drag you
down TO the grave in my embrace"
/ shrieked with terror as / felt her
clutch at my throat, and cried, family
Mercy mercy!'
You would marry Kate Nelson, would
your whispered the ghost, mockingly
Ii you do not wish to die"-and here
the icy fingers pressed so tight that i
gasped for breath" promise me that you
will not marry Kate Nelson"
"Oh, promise, | promise!" said /,
half dead with terror.
"Woe be unto you if you deceive mel"
answered the ghost, solemnly. And /
heard no more.
1t was some time before | ventured TO
cast glance around the room. The ghost
had disappeared. The storm, too, was
beginning To subside; but / could not go
to sleep again, for | found it impossible
TO forget that phantom and its deadly
clutch upon my throat. | resolved 10 say
nothing about it. OF course people would
ridicule the idea of ghost. Neverthe-
less did not dare to wed Kate Nelson;
yet how could | explain the sudden
change of purpose? | fervently hoped
that she would not die of a broken heart!
What should say to the poor girl?
After considerable reflection / resolved
TO trust this delicate affair to Charlie.
The proposed marriage was so odious
in his eyes that knew he would justify
my apparent treachery to her il possible.
Morning came, and arose in fever.
ish state of mind. How i dreaded to
meet Katie at the breakfast tablet But,
fortunately, she did not make her appear
ance. Charlie looked so troubled that
almost fancied he, too, had seen the ghost
After breakfast said to him with an
embarrassment that | strove to hide: My
dear boy, do you remember what we were
talking about last evening? / have been
thinking the matter over seriously, and
am afraid that marriage between Katie
and myself will result in unhappiness;
but have not the courage to brave her
reproaches Now, Charlie, will YOU act
as mediator, and make known this change
in my views?"
"Why, uncle" he answered, and ! was
almost sure that saw CLEAN OF mischief
in his eyes, something extraordinary
must have happened; you are not usuallyso
tickle"
1--WE won't discuss the matter said |,
in an irritated tone. "Will you or will
you not grant my requesty
''Of course / will," be replied; but
it is difficult task The poor child will
be so disappointed
detected a joyous ring in his voice,
and looked at him rather suspiciously.
His diplomatic mission was successful,
however Late in the afternoon Katie
came down into the library where l was
sitting. / had never seen her look so
pretty.
"0h, Mr. Raymondr' she said, eagerly,
am 50 gitu tilht you HhFC CHduScu yom
mind 1t was so unexpected yesterday. /
never dreamed before that you loved me
in any other way than IS daughter"
Was this actingg Was she trying TO de-
ceive me in her pure and sweet unselfsh-
nesss
"Then you never loved me?"
Dear Mr.. Raymond, you know better,
only it was not exactly the kind of love
one ought TO feel toward husband. You
are as dear to me as If you were my own
father, but you are 80 much Older than
that--that--"
She hesitated and did not finish her SEN
tence. remembered my gray hairs with
a pang of mortified vanity. Was not the
ghostly visit enoughy Must be tortured
In this manner afterwards
The veil was torn away from the delusion
had cherished Alas / had misinter-
preted her childish affection. II might be
that she loved another looked down
into the face where vivid scarlet glowed,
and there read her own secret.
my dear child" exclaimed, attempt
ing to control my agitation, tell me every
thing"
"Oh, Mr.. Raymond" she exclaimed, in
confusion +" Charlie has asked me to be