The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-28

long laShes,
"Oh, Harry, how cruel Won are Yo,
know | love YOU better than all th,
world. only dare not marry again
| Don't be angry-pleass don't be angry
with me I"
And Mr.. Levison looked down at hei
lovely face, and assured her he never
could he angry with her, and then went
away heaping maleNiictions on the hea,
Of the detunct husband who had beer
tyrant enough to burden ms young wifi,
with such promise,
The last sunset rays were tiinging
their golden aud scarlet pennons on the
pale, hlue-gray sky. when Mr.. Levisol
opened the door Of his cozy sitting
at home, 10 be met by the laughing face
and gay welcome Of young gentleman,
who had evidently been making himself
at home while he waited.
"Heigho, Leyison Surprised Il
see me? How are you old fellow-how
are youp
Mr.. Levison stared second, then
greeted him warmly.
Fred Willard Where in tile name
of goodness did you spring from? Why,
| thought You were not 10 sail from
England for long SIX months yet. Old
boy, bless you. I'm glad 50 see you, al.
though for the instant / confess | was
startled-ypu are the living image OF
your brother Wilson. We've been dis
cussing ghosts, you know"
Young Wizards ewes cleaned mis-.
chievously, rs he interrupted irrever.
emily:
1--WE is good, Lev. You mean my
pretty little sister -in-law. know she
religiously believes in 'em. L know
am impatient 10 see her-for the first
time since Wills funeral"
Mr. Levison had been looking thought
fully ut the embers glowing. hike melted
rubies, behind the silver bars of the
CRATE; now he turned suddenly TO Fred,
and laid his hand persuasively ON his
shoulder.
"See here, Fred; you are a friend OF
mine; and am about to put your friend
ship TO the test. i want you TO do me a
very great favor; will you?"
Fred laughed.
"WnlIP or course viii. What 5
up2"
And Mr.. Levison turned the KEYS Of
the doors, 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,
making perfect hood uf silver gold
glory on the quiet scene, and Mrs vii
lard, with fieecy-white zephyr shawl and
her crepe brown hair, was standing nt
the kitchen door, on her return from a
tour of inspection 10 the snug little barn
and carriage house, which she had per-
sonAlly seen was secure for the night,
ever since her husbands death.
Her cheeks We're flushed 10 the tint
of an oleander flower by the keen kiss
OF the frosty air, aud her eyes were
glowing like blue fires az she stood there
one moment in the broad band of white
moonlight that lay athwart the floor
like silent blessing. Then, with q
little involutary exclamation at the per
feet beauty of the night, she went in,
locked the door after her, for her three
servants were all retired for the night.
and then gave little shrek, for stand
ing in the self-same accustomed place
he was wont to occupy. and looking as
natural as if il were himself in the flesh.
was her husband. She suited her shrek,
and tried bravely to feel brave, but
her heart was tearing around very un-
disciplinedly as she realized that she
was looking upon bona .fde ghost
veritahle inhabitaut OF the land Of
eternal shadows.
"Will, she said, family, with her
hand tight on the handle Of the door,
"Will, is il you ?"
His voice was precisely az it had been
in the old days-mellow, musical, little
domineering- ILLS undeniably, unmis.
( takably.
"Who should it be but I, Nellie, and
come on purpose TO communicate with
you"
Yes ?" she gasped, "but what for ?
/ have tried-I have done everything
that thought you could wish. There
is nothing wrong, VIII"
{ The pale, moon-hghted face, the
I speckless black suit, the spotless linen.
the very same in which he had been
buried, the low. familiar voice-it almost
4 paralyzed Nellie, and yet, aided by the
4
she stood her ground and listened.
] " Nothing wrong with You, Nellie,
4 but with me. | come to bring you a
present"
Nellie was startled, and looked at him
+ euriouslv, wondering what he had
+ brought from the other world. .#-
Il present you, he said, with your
I liberty, for | can't rest in my grave
/ knowing the wrong / uniutentionally
committed in binding you 10 perpetual
/ widowhood for my sake. / come 10 re
woke nv decision-to give you my full
/ permission 10 marry again, and my ad.
vice to marry Horace LevisIn. Promise
me you'll do it, and viii rest peacefully
\ forever.
"Oh, Will lii you will cav so-if you
+ think il best--yes yes, | will -
| Her face was pale enough now TO have
/ passed for a ghost herself.
$50 look at the big clock in the din
ing-room, Nellie. and see il ii is near the
stroke OF twelve.
/ She went dumbly, mechanically, at his
hehest and, when she came bnck, he
was gone, and the moonlight streamed
il on an empty room.
Then the reaction followed, and Nell
lie few up 10 her bed room, and locked
the door, and covered her head with q
shawl, and sobbed and cried hysteri-
cally, until her over wrought nerves
found relief in sleep.
The next day Mr.. Levison sent little
note over, apologizing for his seeming
discpurtesy in not coming TO bid her
goOd-by on his sudden departure for an
indefinite time, and telling her that her
cruel decision never TO marry again had
been the canse of il, aud that they might
never meet again, etc, etc.
To which Nellie, all pale, alarmed and
crimson with confusion, penciled an
answer. assuring him she had changed
her mind, and begging him TO come over
to lunch, 10 see her. and meet her
brother-in-law, who had only just arrived
from abroad.
OF course Mr.. Levison came, and il
didn't take two minutes TO settle II, nor
did he laugh at her when she solemnly
related her experience of the night be-
fore. taEES
"For it was his ghost, Harry, just as
true as l am alive and speaking TO
you p
"a jolly old mean thoughtful,
pains taking spirit, Nelliel Bless his
ghostship wen hold him in eternal re-
membrance.
Nor did his countenaDce change fea-
ture, even when he and Nellie and Fred
Willard discussed the maryelously
obliging kindness of the departed.
Nor did pretty, blooming, blushing