Richland beacon., 1877-07-21

with me-"
And Mr.. Levison looked down at hel
lovely face, and assured her he never
could be angry with her, and then wen,
away thinking badly of the husband who
had burdened his lovely young wife with
nch promise.
Inc last sunset rays were flinging their
golden and scarlet pennons on the pale
blue-gray sky when Mr.. Levison opened
the door of his coy sitting-room at
home, to be met by the laughing face and
gay welcome Of younger gentleman who
had evidently been making himself at
home while he waited.
Heigho, Levison! Surprised to see
me! How are you, old fellow-how are
you?"
Mr.. Levison stared second, then
greeted him warmly.
Erred. Willard. Where in the name
of goodness did you spring from? Why,
I thought you were not to sail from Eng
land for a good six months yet. Old
boy, bless you, am glad to see you, al
though for the instant | confess l was
startled. You are the living image of
your brother Wilson. We've been dis.
cussing ghosts, you know"
Young Williard's eyes cleaned mis-
chievously as he interrupted, irreverent-
ly-
"'We' is good, Lev. You mean my
little sister-in- law of course? | know
she believes in 'em. am impatient to
see her-for the first time since Wills
funeral"
Mr.. Levison had been looking thought
fully at the embers, glowing like melted
rubies behind the silver bars of the CRATE.
Now be turned suddenly to Fred, and
laid his hand persuasively on his
shoulder.
"Lock here, Fred, you are friend of
mine, and ! am about to put your friend
ship to test. want you to do me a
very great favor. Will your"
Fred laughed.
"Will /? OF course 1 will. What's
up"
And Mr.. Levison turned the kew of
the door, and the consultation lasted
until the housekeeper rang the dinner
bell.
Five hours later the moon was Just
creeping over the tops of the trees, max
ing perfect flood of silver-gold glory on
the quite scene, and Mrs. Willard, with
feecy white zephyr shawl and her
crepe brown hair, was standing at the
kitchen door on her return from a tour
of inspection to the snug little barn and
carriage-nouse which she had personally
seen was secure for the night ever since
her husbands death.
Her cheeks were flushed to the tint of |
an oleander flower by the keen kiss of |
the frosty air, and her eyes glowing like |
blue fires as she stsod there one moment
in the broad band of white MOONLIGHT
that lay athwart the floor like a silent
blessing.
Then, with little involuntary ex.
at the perfect beauty of the
night, she went in and locked the door
after her, for her three servants had all
retired for the night, and then gave a
little shrek, for, standing in the self
same accustomed place he was wont to
occupy, and looking as natural as if it
we're himself in the flesh, was her hus.
band.
She stifed her shrek, and tried brayelv
to feel brave, but her heart was tearing
around very undisciplinedly as she real
zed that she was looking upon a bona
fde ghest-a vertiable inhabitant of the
and of eternal shadows.
"Will!" she said, family. with her
,and tightly on the handle of the door.
"Will, is it your"
His voice was precisely as it had been
q the old days-mellow, musical, lit
lie domineering-- Wills undeniably. un.
nistakably.
Who should it be but me, Nellie.
md come on purpose to communicate
With you"
"Yes?" she grasped "but what for ?
have tried-I have done everything
hat thought You would wish. There
J nothing wrong, WIFI"
The pale, moonlighted face, the speck-
sss black suit, the spotless linen, the
cry same in which he had been buried
he low, familiar voice--it almost para .
Vsed Nellie, and yet. aided by the very .
Material contact of the door-knob. she