Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-07-09
,TgHE SPECTRE OF HENRY BRETON.

It was a beautiful morning in June, IN
the year 1868, that 1 started from my home
at Dover to spend few weeks with some
friends at Tunbridge Wells, a pleasant wa
tering place in Kent. 1 was in good spirits
and health that morning better than 1
had been for some time.
about two years previously heavy grief
had fallen upon me. b
had been engaged to a cousin-one
whom 1 had known and loved nearly all
/ my life. Our marriage day was fixed, my
| tr0usseau all ready, and congratulations
and presents pouring in upon me. Life
seemed so bright before me--all sunlight,
without one shadow. But the storm was
at hand. Suddenly, like a thunderbolt.
came to me sad tidings.
Henry Breton, my betrothed husband,
J had been killed by fall from his horse.
No one knew how the accident had hap
| pened.
The horse had run home riderless; search
was made, and poor Henry found lifEsess
ian a lane about mile from his home. Over.
! whelmed with CONSERVATION and grief. for
| many months I refused all comfort, and
INDUCED my sorrowful remembrance to
the exclusion of every other idea. Kind
friends shook their heads when they noted
my pale face and detected appearance, and
said they felt sure that Lily [my name is
Lillian Dalyrymple) was not long for this
world. So passed away the autumn and
fho dow q
, again. Then my spirits seemed to rise
once more.
At twenty-three a healthy and sanguine
| temperament will not easily be utterly
crushed; so / looked on the sparkling sea,
the brilliant sunshine, and the gay flow
ers, and felt hopeful and happy once
more. / did pot forget, but ceased to
repine. How my kind friends rejoiced in
the change need not tell, as I set off in
good spirits this pleasant June morning,
now the second anniversary of the month
| in which Henry was taken from me; and
not till 1 had actually started did [ re-
member that it was the very day of the
4 month on which the accident had hap
pened. mention this little incident be-
cause my story is so strange that it seems
to me that every minute circumstance re-
lating to it should be accurately detailed
A A slight gloom fell over me at the re-
| membrance, but it soon passed away.
\ My travelling companions were an elder
\ ly gentleman, with kind, clever face
4 surrounded by clustering curls of chestnut
hair, well streaked with gray, and a lady
\ who, however, alighted at Folkestone (tht
4 next station). I chatted little with the
4 gentleman, who was seated in the com
I partmemt opposite to me, ana found thai
i he likewise was going to Tunbridge Wells
Atone of the succeeding stations another
aeentIeman, apparently an invalid, got int
1.-THE carriage, and, settling his cap over hi
aeyes, soon fell, to judge flom appearances
into deep sleep. All went on smooth.
and pleasantly till we arrived at Ashford
! and I think may truly say that after the
first few moments of starting no though
of my lost lover had crossed my mind.
wish here to remark that L was seated il
1.-THE carriage on the side next the platform
I At Ashford Station was looking out O
the car window, watching the differen
passengers, as was nay custom, when I wa
struck by the appearance OF tall form
exactly opposite me, which seemed strange
ly familiar to my eyes. It was a gentle
man wrapped in a cloak, and he was beck
oning to me with great earnestness.
With much bewilderment I looked OF
{. the form, whose wild, eager gaze was ben
on mine. He beckoned still; imploringl.
at first, then frantically.
Worn and trembling, 1 sank back in M
seat, for those were most undoubtedly tn
features and the stately form Of my los
cousin, Henry Breton!
Show could he be there, and why shout
he becken to me?'' were the vague thought
that passed through my mind as I lay bac
in the carriage, my white, agitated FAC
: buried in my handkerchief.
As the train began slowly to leave th
bstation I reused myself with. an effor'
g and. leaning forward, again looked ont.
He was gone.
NYoung lady," said the old gentlema
presently, twill you excuse me If ! as
]. you question:"
,f Certainly replied, endeavoring
smile and placing my handkerchief IN
d pocket.
stWil You tell me, then, if you saw an