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

frighten me ont of this marriage
1 had scarcely finished speaking, when
there came gust of wind, and crash
ing of glass, and the storm actually
swept into the room. We glanced around
us in dismay. The boughs of a large
elm tree, that stood in front of the
house, had fallen against the window.
Charlie gave me a peculiar look as
covered over the fire, and then barred
the window In such a manner as to keep
out the rain. A strange gloom envel-
oped us both, and we did not return
again to the subject we had been discuss
ing. Our conversation was fitf1l, and it
seemed relief when we separated at
bedtime.
There is no use in denying that was
troubled little with superstitious fears
peered round anxiously into every cor
ner of the room before retiring, but
found no sign of any mysterious visitant.
had such fear of the darkness, how
ever, that left the candle burning.
The fury of the storm had not abated,
and I lay awake som. time listening to
| the wind At last, however, fell into
an uneasy slumber. How long T,had
| slept know not, when I was awakened
by an icy touch upon my forehead.
| / started up, with thrill of appre-
hension. The light emitted faint,
sepulchral gleam. Oh, 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 from the form that it
was the CHEST of Anastasia.
civilian Raymond, came in n hoarse
voice from the figure /; Sc 1 am here to
avenge your infdelity, and to drag you
down to the grave in my embrace.
I shrieked with terror as felt her
clutch my throat, and cried, family,
's Mercy (! mercy ~
s'You would marry Katie Nelson, would
you a' whispered the ghost, mockingly.
eff 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 take second wife.
"Oh, promise I premise I" said I,
half dead with terror.
"Woe be unto you, if you deceive
me I" answered the ghost solemnly. And
herd no more.
/ It was some time, however, before L
ventured to cast a tinlid glance around
the room. The ghost had disappeared
The storm, too, was beginning to sub
side but could not go to sleep again,
| for found it impossible 10 forget that
phantom and its deadly clutch upon my
throat. I resolved to say nothing about
it. OF course, people would ridicule the
idea of a ghost. Nevertheless, I did
not dare to wed Katie Nelson yet how
could explain this sudden change of
| purpose? / fervently hoped that she
would not die of a broken heart, the poor
child What should say to herr
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
/ aoE,o &fN7
Morning came, and I arose in fever
ish state of mind. How I dreaded to
meet Katie at the breakfast table but,
| fortunately, she did not make her appear
anee. Charlie looked SO troubled that I
almost fancied he, too, had seen the
| ghost.
After breakfast, said to him, with an
embarrassment that I strove to hide,
Ny dear boy, do you remember what
we were talking about last evening? I
have been thinking over the matter seri-
oJlsly, and am afraid that marriage be-
tween Katie and myself will result In Tn-
happiness but have not the courage
to brave her reproaches. Now, Charlie,
viii you act as mediator, and make known
this change In my views?"
tsWhy, uncle, . heanswered, and was
almost sure that saw CLEAN of mis-
chief in his eyes, t' something extraor6i-
nary must have happened. You are not
usually SO tickle /"
We won't discuss the matter said
/, in an irritated tone. Will you, or viii
you not, grant my request 2"
6 OF course, I viii, I" he replied !; "but
it Is a 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 I was
| sitting. I had never seen her look
prettier.
eOh, Mr.. Raymond p she said eagerly,
s' am so glad that you have changed
your mind 1t was all so unexpected
yesterday. never dreamed before that
you loved me in any other way than as
daughter
| Was this acting9 was she trying to
deceive me in her sweet unselishness?
| g Then you never loved me ?'' asked
/ Dear Mr.. Raymond, you know bet
| ter, " she answered !; Sc only it was not
exactly the kind of love one ought to
| feel toward q husband. You are as dear
to me as if you were my own father but
you are so much older than !, that
/ that
| She hesitated, and did not finish her
sentence. remembered my gray hairs
with pang of mortified vanity. Was
not the ghostly visit enough2 Must 1
be tortured in this manner afterward2
The veil was torn away from the de-
fusion I had cherished. Alas had
misinterpreted her childish affection. It
might be that she loved another. I
looked down into the face where vivid
scarlet glowed, and read her secret.
s. My dear child I exclaimed, at
tempting to control my agitation, 's tell
me everything"
"Oh, Mr.. Raymond, she answered in
confusion, ssChar1ie has asked me to be
| his wife. y
The rascal No wonder that he re-
mained with her such long time that
morning; no wonder that he boasted of
the satisfactory manner in which every
thing had been explained.
The impudent fellow l'' muttered,
impatiently. g What did you answer,
childa Do you love him -
Low and soft the answer came -
Yes"
The heart of q woman Is q mystery