The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1875-04-02

D1H SBhIIlSI, L u0SGlOuGu DElQgeG eager
ly. Charlie came in while we were
talking.
81 Katie i'll ?'' he said, with a shadow
on his brow. is it anything serious,
uncle ?"
What business had he to take any
special interest in Katie.
eoldly. "She is subject to such attacks.
Bring in the tea, Bridget"
1--WE shall have a lonesome evening,
Charlie sighed.
half believed that he was in love
with the girl himself.
IT was cheerless, though, without
Katie. missed her bright face behind
the tea-tray, Charlie left his cup IN
tasted. My jealousy was aroused, and
I watched him keenly.
As soon as we were alone, said, half
angrily, What is the matter, Charlie?
You look as if you hadn't a friend on
earth. I didn't know before that you
liked Katie so we'll"
The crimson Ieaped up to his very
brow.
q am glad that you do" I con-
tinued, hastily, 4" for you will soon be
connected by ties of relationship. She
has promised to be my wife"
You are jesting, uncle T. he said,
doubtingly.
81 was never more serious in my
life, I answered.
Charlie showed evident signs agi-
tatior.
"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 gratitude.
How dare you think of such q thing ?''
Do No wonder that you rave" 1 re-
piled, with a mOcking smile; "you are
disappointed of your inheritance.
At that moment the wind gave a fear
full shrek outside, and I thought of
Anastasia.
care you not afraid to marry again?"
Charlie inquired, maliciously. "YOu
remember the warning?"
Nonsense - [ answered; 1T viii
take something more than a ghost to
frighten me out of this marriage"
had scarcely finished speaking,
when there came a gust of wind, and
crashing of glass, and the storm actual
ly 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 win
dow.
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 dis
cussiug, Our conversation was fitful,
and it seemed a relief when We separated
at bedtime.
There is no use in denying that was
troubled a 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 such & fear sf
the darkness, however, that 1 left the
candle burning.
The Jury of the storm had not abated,
and lay awake some time listening to
the wind. At last, however, I fell into
an uneasy slumber. How long l had
slept I know not, when was awakened
by an icy touch upon my forehead.
I started up, with a thrill of appre-
hensioa. The light emitted a faint,
sepulchral gleam. Oh, horror what
was that saw? A figure, IOped In
white, came gliding toward me from
the foot of the bed. The face was hid
den from my view, but L knew from
the form that it was the ghost of Anas-
tasia.
'sWiIIiam Raymond" came in a
hoGrse voice from the figure "I am
here to avenge your infidehty, and to
drag you down to the grave in my en-
brace"
I shrieked with terror as I felt her
clutch my throat, and cried, family,
Mercy mercy "
"Yo1 would marry Katie Nelson,
would you? 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"
g Oh, promise [ promise " said l,
half dead with terror.
's Woe be unto you, if you deceive
me ;" answered the ghost solemnly.
And I heard no more.
It was some time, however, before 1
ventured to cast a 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 found it impossible to forget that
phantom and its deadly clutch upon my
throat IresoIved to say nothing about
it. OF course, people would rldIcule
the idea of a ghost. Nevertheless, L
did not dare to wed Katie Nelson; yet
how could I explain this sudden change
of purpose? I fervently hoped that
she would not die of a broken heart,
the poor child! What should say ts
her?
After considerable reflection, I re-
solved to trust this delicate affair to
Charlie. The proposed marriage was
so OdiOus in his eyes that l knew he
would justify my apparent treachery to
her, if possible.
Morning came, and arose in a fever
ish state of mind. How / dreaded t.
meet Katie at the breakfast table but,
fortunately, she did not make her appear
ance. Charlie looked so troubled that
I almost fancied he, too, had seen the
ghost.
After breakfast, I said to him, with
an embarrassment that I strove to hide,
| My dear boy, do you remember what
we were talking about last evening? /
/ have been thinking over the matter Sc
riOusly, and am afraid that a marriage
! between Katie and myself viii result IN
/ unhapDiness but I nave not the cOur-
/ age 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 spre that l saw CLEAN oi
mischief in his eyes, " something extra
/ J,ryQ5ro.r,- r,r-gf hove EaUDeupi Ygu