Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1875-07-08

Katie. l missed her bright face be-
hind the tea tray. Charlie left his
cup untasted. Ny jealousy was
aroused. and l watched him keenly.
As soon as we were alone, | said,
half anerily:
What is the matter, Charlie? You
look as if you hadn't a friend on
earth. didn't know before that you
liked Katie so we'll"
The crimson leaped up to his very
brow.
u am glad that you do" 1 contin-
ued, hastily, ''for you will soon be
connected by the ties of relationship.
She has promised to be my wife"
"You are iesting, uncle" he said.
doubtingly.
81 was. never more serious in my
life," l answered.
Charlie showed evident signs of
agitation.
"You have no right to sacrifice that
young GIRL" he said, bitterly. "You
are old enough to be her father. OF
course she accepted you from graft
tudc. How dare you think of such
thingY"
mo wonder that you rave" | re-
piled with mocking smile; ''you are
disappointed of your inheritance"
At that moment the wind gave a
fearful shrek outside, and | thought
of Anastasia.
"Are you not afraid to marry
again| Charlie inquired, malicious
ly. "You remember the warming"
"Nonsensew l answered; 1T will
take something more than a ghost to
frightcn me ont of this marriage"
| had scarcely finished speaking
when there came gust of wind, and
a crashing of glass, and the storm ac-
tually 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 4 peculiar look,
rs l covered over the fire, and then
barred the window in such a manner
as to keep out the rain.
A strange gloom enveloped us both,
and we did not return again to the
subject we had been discussing. Our
conversation was fitful, and it seemed
a relief when we separated at bed
time.
There is no use in denying that
was troubled a little with supersti
tious fears. peered anxiously into
every corner of the room before re-
firing, but found no sign of any mys-
terions visitant. | had such fear
Of the darkness, however, that left
the candle bnrning.
The fury of the storm had not
and l lay awake sometime
to the wind. AT last, how
ever, | fell into an uneasy slumber.
How long l had slept / know not,
when Ewas=awakencd by an icy touch
upon my Forehead.
l started up with a thrill of appre-
hension. The light emitted faint,
sepulchral CLEAN. o, horror! what
was that l 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.
civilian Raymond" came in a |
harsh voice from the figure, 81 am
here to avenge your infidelity, and to
drag you down to the grave in my
| shrieked with terror rs l felt her
clutch at my throat, and cried, faint
ly, Mercy! mercyr
'You would marry Katie Nelson,
would your whispered the ghost.
'If you do not wish to
die"-and here the icy fingers pressed
so tight that l gasped for breath
"promise me that you will not marry
Katie Nelson"
80, l promise, l promise!n' said |,
half dead with terror.
"Woe be unto you, if you deceive
mep' answered the ghost, solemnly.
And | heard no more.
1t was some time, however, before
l ventured to cast glance around
the room. The ghost had disap-
peared. The storm, too, was begin
ming to subside; but could not go
to sleep again, for | found it impos-
sible to forget that phantom and its
deadly clutch upon my throat. l re-
solved to say nothing about it.
OF course people would ridicule
the idea of a ghost. Nevertheless, |
did not dare to wed Katie Nelson;
vet how could l explain this sudden
change of purpose? fervently hoped
that she would not die of broken
heart! What should l say to the
poor girl?
After considerable reflection, I re-
solved to trust this delicate affair to
Charlie. The proposed marriage was
so odions inshis eyes that L knew he
would Justify my apparent treachery
to her if possible.
Morning came, and arose in fe-
verish state of mind. How dreaded
to meet Katie at the breakfast table.
But, fortunately, she did not make
her appearance. Charlie looked so
troubled that l almost fancied he,
too, had seen the ghost.
After breakfast l said to him, with
an embarrassment that l strove to
hide, @My dear boy, do you remem-
Der 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 viewsg'
aWhy, uncle" he answered, and l
was ALMOST sure that / saw a gleam
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