Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1878-06-27

Thinking thus | began toSroW lrlSht,
ened at the shadow in my room, and
hastily rang the bsll for lights.
why are you so late, Bridget?"
asked sharply, as the servant entered
the room.
Indade, sir, and its meself that's
been with Miss Kate every blessed
minute, and she's almost kilt with q
pain in her head.
Could this be the result Of our con-
yeraation that afternoon ? Consider
ably startled, | questioned Bridget
eagerly. John came in while we were
talEing.
Kate i'll? he said, with a shadow
on his brow. is it anything serious
uncle?
What business had he to take any
special Interest in Katie.
Only headache, | answered cold
| ly. She is subject to such attacks
Bring in the tea, Bridget
we shall have a lonesome evening
John sighed.
| half believed that he was in love
with the girl himself.
1t was cheer ess, though, without
Katie. | missed her bright face be
hind the 'ea tray. John left his cup
untasteI. My jealousy was aroused,
and | watched him keenly.
AS soon as we We're alone, said
half angrily, what is the matter, John:
You look as if you hadn t friend on
earth. | didn't know before that you
liked Katie so.
The crimson leaped up to lis very
brow.
1 am glad that YOU do, | coutin-
uel hastily, for you will soon be con
nected by ties Of relationship. She
has promised to be my wife.
You are jesting, uucIo! be said
loubting.
4 was never more serious in my
life, | answered.
John showed evident signs Of osi,
tat,on.
You have no right to sacrifice that
young girl, he said bitterly. You
are old enough to be her father. OF
course, she accepted You from graft
tude. How dare you think Of such a
thing :?
no wonder that You rave | re-
piled with a mocking smile 'yon are
disappointed Of your Inheritance.
At that moment the wind gave a
fearful Shrek outside, and thought
Of Anastasa.
Are you not afraid to marry again?
John inquired, malciouSly. You re-
member the warning?
Nonsense !. ! answered 1t will
take something more than a ghost to
frlGhen me out Of this marriage.
had scarcely finished speaking,
when there came gust Of wind, and
crashing Of glass, aud the torn act
ually swept into the room. We
glanced around us in djsmay. The
boush3 Of a large elm tree, thai stood
in front Of the house, had fallen
against the window.
John gave a peculiar look as I COW
cred over the fire, and then barred
the window in such a manner as to
keep out the rain. A strange gloom
enyeloped us both, and We did not re-
turn to the subject we had been dis,
cussing. Our conversation was fitful,
and it seemed relief that we parted
at bed time.
There is no use in denying that |
was troubled little with supcrsti-
tous fears. | peered rourl auxlous-
ly into every corner Of the room be-
fore retiring, but found no sign Of any
mysterious vlsItant. ! had such a
fear of the darkness, however, that |
left the candle burning.
The fury Of the storm had not abat-
ed, and | lay awake some time listen
ing to the wind. At last however, |
fell into an uneasy slumber. How
long | slept / know not, when | was
awakened by an icy touch upon my
forehead.
started up with thrill Of appre-
hension. The light emitted a faint Sc
pulchral gleam. Oh, horror, what
WAS that | saw A.? A figure robed in
white, came gIling toward me from
the foot of the bed. The face was
hidden from my view, but | knew
from the form that it was the ghost
of Anastasia.
'Wiliam Raymond came in a
hoarse voice from the figure; 1 ain
here to avenge your inddelity, and to
drag yon down to the grave in my
embace.
i shriekel with terror as | felt her
clutch my throat, and cried, family,
'Mcrcy' mercy