The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-09-20
WHY SHE MARRIED HIM.

W II
"II am afraid 1 can't, Mr.. Levi
son."
you are afraid you can't, Mrs
Wiilard2 Answer me another question
yes or no-do you love meF
Why, Mr.. Levison, / mean Henry, o
course l do-like you'll always did
ever since l first knew you, years ant
years ago"
when Wilson Willard won the Priz,
all we fellows were striving forl So yol
liked me then, Nellie, and you like m,
now? Then why won't you marry me
You've been a widow for three year
now. Isn't that long enough to mourn
the virtues of the departedT"
You wicked mani As if three hun
dred years could ever teach me to for
get poor dear Wilson"
Her bright eyes reproved him sharply
and he accepted with good grace.
Granting the truth, Nellie, that
your deceased husband was a good fel
low and a loving partner, / still cannot
see why you refuse me. That is the
subject under consideration at present
Nellie. Why won't you marry meF'
Because, Henry, because Wilson
Willard made me promise tonevermarry
again."
"Stuff and nonsensel What if he did
A bad promise is better broken than
kept"
Mrs. Willard twisted her ring uneasily.
"Iknow it, she said, slowly; but
eyes; but what, Nellie? In all
respect say it-poor viii is dead and
gone, and you have been true to his
memory these long years, and what has
he to do with you nowT
Il know" she said, meditatively,
but-but, Harry, he made me solemnly
promise never to marry again under
the penalty of his everlasting dis
pleasure. And, don't be angry with me,
Henry, will you? But l almost know
he would appear to me-"
The lovely blue eyes were lifted in
such piteous appeal to his, and the
pretty little widow made such a nervous
little nestle nearer to him, that it was
the most human thing in the world for
Mr.. Levison to put his arm protectingly
round Her.
So you believe he would haunt YOU,
Nellie, if you broke your promise? A
sensible little woman like you to verita-
bly, believe in such superstitious fol-de-
rol. And, after having waited for you
ten years of your married life and three
years of your widowhood, condemn me
to hopelessness for the sake of such a
chimera- the sake of such shadow
as your husbands ghost?'
AID NaII.a l01l-a1
him again, and her lips quivered and the
tears stood in great crystals on her long
lashes.
80, Harry, how cruel you areI You
know | love you better than all the
world, only-I dare not marry again.
Don'tbe angry-please don't be angry
with me-"
And Mr.. Leyison looked down at her
lovely face, and assured her he could
never be angry with her, and then went
away, heaping silent malediction on the
head of the defunct husband who had
been tyrant enough to burden his lovely
young wife with such a promise.
The last sunset rays were hinging
their golden and scarlet pennons on the
pale, blue-gray sky when Mr.. Levison
opened the door of his cozy sitting-room
at home, to be met by the laughing face
and gay welcome of young gentleman
who had evidently been making himself
at home while he waited
" Heigho, Levison! Surprised to see
me? How are are you, old fellow-how
are your
Fred Willard Where, in the name
of goodness, did you spring from? Why,
l thought you were not to sail from
India for good six months yet. Pm
glad to see you, although for an instant
I.confess I was startled; you are the liv-
ing image of your brother Wilson.
We've been discussing ghosts, you know"
Young Willard's eye cleaned mis-
chieyously, as he interrupted, irrever-
emily:
"We' is good, Lev. You mean my
pretty little sister-in-law, of course? 1
know she religiously believes in 'em
know am impatient to see her-for the
first time since Wills funeral"
MIR. Leyison laid his hand persuasively
on Fred's shoulder.
See here, Fred; you arc friend of
mine, and / am about to put your friend
ship to the test. l want you to do me
very great favor-wiIl youT'
Will? Of course 1 will. What's
upg
Five hours later the moon was lust
creeping over the tops of the trees,
and Mrs. Willard was standing at the
garden door, on her return from a tour
of inspection to the snug little carriage
house, which she had personally seen
was secure for the night ever since her
husband S death.
With little involuntary exclamation
at the perfect beauty of the night, she
went in, locked the door after her, for
the servants had all retired for the
night, and then gave little shrek, for.
standing in the self-same accustomed
place he was won't to occupy, and look
ing as natural as if it were himseIfin the
flesh, was her husband.
She stifed her shrek, and tried
bravely to feel brave, but her heart
throbbed wildly as she realized that she
was looking upon bona-fide ghost-a
veritable inhabitant of the land of
eternal shadows.
WILL" she said family with her
hand tight on the handle of the door,
Will, is that your"
His voice was precisely as it had been
in the old days.
"Who should it be but me, Nellie
and come on purpose to communicate
with your
/" Yes" she gasped, "but what for ?
l have tried-I have done everything
that | thought you would wish. There
isnothing wrong, Willp'
The low, familiar VOICE almost nara-