Connecticut western news., 1879-04-30

circling it, and general misty uncer- tainty of outline that might be attribu- ted to the shifting of some thick vapor, but to an uninitiated person was highly suggestive of uncorporeal spirits.
 "Bless me bless me p said Professor Rensel, staring at this vision. "Who are you, my friend?"
 "I am 8 disembodied spirit" replied sepulchral voice.
 Dear, dear what a pityl Can't can't any thing be done for you?''
 "Nothing. I am sent to you.''
 "Well, my friend, I am here, ,"-after a pause, in which he seemed to imagine that the embarrassed spirit required some encouragement. His face shone with mild benevolence. "Iam here, 3 he repeated. " What can do for you p
 The blue light was shaken for mo- ment, as if the spectral visitor was dis turbed by this tantalizing calmness, and even disposed to back out of the situa- tion. Then the sepulchral voice replied, "You are commanded to marry May Kingsley" =
 "Howa What? My good friend, you are talking like a-ghost p exclaimed the astenished professor. A slight flush rose to his benevolent face.
 You are commanded to do it," re- peated the spirit, monotonously.
 Bless mel bless me l It isn't pos sibIe."
 "With us, all things are possible"
 "Indeed ?" said the professor, inquir- ingly. "IndeedG" he repeated, with as much deliberation as if he were address, ing his classes. "Well, we'll. Let us consider that settled, and-and pass on to something else," with certain mild dignity, as if he objected to discussing the lady they had named even with 8 ghost. He was evidently disposed to be hospitable, but somewhat at loss how to entertain his visitor.
 "You are not" said the professor, glancing hesitatingly at the suggestive blue light, from the celestial regions, I am afraid?
 "No."
 "Dear me dear me what pity It must be very unpleasant. Yet if you could-if you could be persuaded to give me 8 little information about the other place. The truth is, I have a young friend who is going that way, I very much fear, and"
 Here something not laid down in the programme happened the ghost, in- confidently bolted, blue light and all. Outside there was suspicious scufling and hurrying of feet that may have been produced spiritually, but was very like scampering humanity.
 The professor deliberately got up and closed the door, murmuring to himself "Very. .singular-very singular indeedP'
 The same embarrassed flush still fingered on his face, but he got into bed and went calmly to sleep, as if nothing unusual had happened.
 Meanwhile the ghost and the audience were holding a hurried consultation down stairs. All three were considera. bly, taken aback.
 He knew us," said Jem, disconso, lately. "He must have known us the very first thing. His young friend That was cool, at any rate. Which of us does he mean, Tom-you or me? ?"
 Perhaps he didn't know himself which it was," said Tom.
 As neither of them could settle this point, they at last adjourned to bed each, perhaps, with a little sense of dis comfture under all his merriment. The next morning, after watching Ton i out of the house, May sat down to some feminine work of her own, to ponde over their ill-fated schemes, when il walked Professor Rensel, who WAS sup posed to be safe in his classroom. Ma, was aghast at the sight of him.
 "Now for it l" she thought. "It il too bad I should have to take the scold ing alone.'
 For it could not but be that even & mild a man would be angry at such al escapade. True, he could not know C her share in it, but then it was nearl, as bad to Tom made the scape-goai
 Miss May was an audacious youn lady, but conscience made coward c her, and she dared not look up or as him why he was not at school.
 "Why don't he begin?' she unused still keeping her eyes on her work, 6 the tall figure shuffied uneasily roun the room.
 Presently the professor stopped i front of her and cleared his throat. 'sM dear Miss May, do you think you coul ever bring yourself to marry me2" The work fell out of her hands, an May sat fairly dumb with astonishmen The professor picked it up again for he "I am much older than yourself, Mi E May" he went on, "and very awl ward man in action and speech, as yc , see. Not such a one as young lac would ever be likely to fancy. Only only felt it my duty to ask you" Then at last May found her tongu cone would not like to marry any boo , who asked her merely from sense 3 duty" she said, gravely, bending st
 lower over her work.
 t The same flush tinged the professor
 face that had been there the night s fore.
 "When said duty, Miss May" l answered her, half responsibility, 6 6 only expressed the motive that had l. g me to speak to you this morning. y said nothing of my own feelings. Sul 't ly you must know what they are al
 have long been. You must know that