The free citizen. (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-04-10

"Kntie ill ?" he said, with shadov
; on his brow. I" Is it anything serious
uncle 2"
What business had he to take an,
special interest in Katie.
"Only a headache" T answered
coldly. ''Slle is subject to such attacks.
Bring in the tea, Bridget. "
"We shall have a lonesome evening, "
Charlie sighed.
I half believed that he was in love
with the girl himself.
1t was cheerless, though, without
Katie. I missed her bright face behind
the tea-tray, Charlie left his cup un-
tasted. My jealousy was aroused, and
l watched him keenly.
AS soon as we were alone, / said, half
angrily, "What is the matter, Charlie?
You look as if You hadn't friend on
earth. didn't know before that you
| liked Katie SO we'll
The crimson leaped up to his very
| brow.
81 am glad that you do" / con-
tinued, hastily, +" for You will soon be
connected by ties of relationship. She
has promised to be my wife"
" You are iesting, uncle - he said.
doubtingly.
II was never moro serious in my
life" answered.
Charlie showed evident signs of agi
tation
Z" You have no right to sacrifice that
young girl" he said, bitterly. "You
are old enough to be lIer father Of
course she accepted you from gratitude.
How dare you think of such thing ?'
No wonder that you rave" I 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
Are you not afraid to marry again?"
Charlie inquired, maliciously. "You
remember the warning?"
Nonsense u [ answered cit will
take something more than ghost to
frighten me out of this marriage"
| had scarcely finished speaking,
when there came q gust Of wind, and n
crashing of glass, and the storm actual
~ swept into the room. We glanced
around lib in dismay. The boughs of
a large elm tree, that stood in front of
the house, had fallen against the win
dow. - n
Charlie gave me peculiar look as I
covered over tho fire, and then barred
I tho windeW in Euch a AZ manner; as to keep
N Hii'ff rue FIJI STRANGE gloom eniv,i
again to the subject we had been dis
cIssiug. Our conversation was fitfnl,
and it seemed relief when we separated
at bed time.
There is no use in denying that was
troubled little with superstitious
fears. | peered round anxiously into
every corner of the room before retir.
ing, but found no sign Of any mys-
terions visitant. had such fcar of
the darkness, however. that I left the
candle burning. -
The fury of the storm had not abated,
ana lay awake some time listening to
the wind. At last, however, l foil into
an uneasy slumber. How long I had
slept know not, when / was awakened
by an icy touch upon my forehead.
| started up, with thrill of appre-
hcnsion. The light, emitted faint,
scpulchral CLEAN. Oh, horror what
was shatI saw a figure, roped in
white, came gliding toward me from
tho foot Of the bed. The face was hid
den from my view, but I knew from
the form that it was the ghost Of Anas-
| tasa.
William Raymond, came in
honrse voice from tho figure; "I am
J here to avcnge your infidelity, and to
drag you down to the grave in my en-
BRACE"
/ shrieked with terror rs I felt her
clntch my throat, and cried, family,
"Mercy mercy f"
"You would marry Katie Nelson,
would you? whispered the ghost.
mockingly. "If you do not wish to
die and here the icy fingers pressed
so tight that gasped for breath
promise me that you will not take
second wife"
"Oh, J promise promise !" said I,
half dead with terror.
Woe be unto you, if you deceive
me 4" answered the ghost solemnly.
And heard no more.
It was some time, however, before T
ventnred to cast timid glance around
the room. The ghost had disappeared.
The storm, too, was beginning to sub
side; but could not go to sleep again,
for l found it impossible to forget that
phantom and it's deadly clutch upon my
throat. resolved to say nothing about
it. OF course, people would ridicule
the idea of ghost. Nevertheless, I
did not dare to wed Katie Nelson yet
how could I explain this sudden change
OF purpose? I fcrvently hoped that
she would not die of broken heart,
tho poor child What should I say to
her?
After considerable reflection, 7 re-
solved to trust this delicate affair to
Charlie. The proposed marriage was
80 odious in his eyes that I knew he