The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1877-05-04
. ESTABLISHED 1855.

creeping over the tops 0I Inc NOo9, ".---
ing a perfect food of silyer-gold glory Q
E the quite scene, and Mrs. Willard, VII
feecy white zephyr shawl and nc
crepe brown hair, was standing at IN
kitchen door on her return from tou
of inspection to the snug little barn an
, carriage-nouse which she had PersonaI
seen was secure for the night ever sine
her husbands death.
Her cheeks were flushed to the tint 9
an oleander flower by the keen kiss
the frosty air, and her eyes glowing llK
blue fires as she stsod there one momen
, in the broad band of white moonligh
that lay athwart the floor like a silen
blessing,
Then, with little involuntary ex
clamation at the perfect beauty OF tn
night, she went in and locked the doc
after her, for her three servants had al
retired for. the night, and then gave
little shrek, for, standing in the sell
same accustomed place he was won't T
occupy, and looking as natural as If
were himself in the flesh, was her hus
band.
| She stifed her shrek and tried bravely
to feel brave, but her heart was tearing
around very undisciplinedly as she real
lied that she was looking upon a bona
tide ghosts vertiable inhabitant of the
land of eternal shadows.
"WiRi" she said, family, with her
hand tightly on the handle of the door.
viii, is it you ?"
His voice was precisely as it had been
in the old days-mellow, musical, a lit
tie domineering--W Wills undeniably, I'M
mistakably.
90 Who should it be but me, Nellie,
and come on purpose to communicate
with you"
" Yes?" she grasped 81 but what for
l have tried-I have done everything
that thought you would wish. There
is nothing wrong, WHIP"
The pale, moonlighted face, the speck-
less black suit, the spOtless linen, the
very same in which he had been buried,
the low, familiar voice--it almost para
lyzed Nellie, and yet, aided by the very
material contact of the door-knob, she
stood her ground and listened.
Nothing is wrong with you, Nellie,
but with me. / can't rest in my grave
knowing the wrong | unintentionally
in binding you to perpetual
for my sake. l come to re-
woke my decision, to give you my full
permission to marry again, and my ad-
vice to marry Horace Levison. Promise
me you will do it, and will rest peace
fully forever"
go Wilt If you say so-if you think
it best-yes l--yes, will ="
Her face was pale enough now to have
passed for ghost herself
$50 look at the big clock in the din
Nellie, and see if it is near the
stroke of twelve"
She went dumbly, mechanically, at his
,ehest and when she came back he was
one, and the moonlight streamed in On
n empty room.
Then the reaction followed, and Nell
lie flew up to her bedroom, locked the
loor, covered her head with a shawl,
md sobbed and cried Historically until
Ter overwrought nerves found relief in
leep.
The next day Mr.. LevIsOn sent little
tote over, apologizing for his seeming
liscourtesy in not coming to bid her
,ood-by on his sudden departure for an
Indefinite time, and telling her that her
.ruel decision never to marry again had
,een the cause of it, and that they might
lever meet again, etc, etc.
Towhich Nellie, all pale, alarmed, and
.rimson with confusion. penciled an an
wer, assuring him she had changed her
mind, and begging him to come over to
luncheon with her, to meet her brother
n-law, who had only just arrived from
broad.
OF course Mr.. Levison came, and it
idn't take two minutes to settle it.
Sor did he laugh at her when she {
olemnly related her experience of the
light before.
"For it was his ghost, Harry, just as
rue as am alive and speaking to you ~
Z" A jolly old mean a thoughtful,
spirit, Nellie Bless his
hostship. we'll hold him in eternal re-
1emberance."
Nor did his countenanee change a
eature even when he and Nellie and
red. Willard discussed the marvelOusly
bliging kindness of VIII.
Nor did pretty, blooming, blushing
1rs. Nellie ever for a moment dream
nat her visitant was Fred himself, as
sted by wig and false whiskers-nor I
as there any need she should know, for
er happiness was secured and her con.
,ience at ease-Donbury Nelcs,