The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-05-01

demon; and he proposed to chase it TO its
hiding place, provided two or three fea.-
less men would volunteer to accompany /
him. After considerable delay the volun-
teers presented themselves, and they, with
the foOlhardy doctor, set out upon their
strange journey one warm spring evening,
in an open wagon, provided with a coil Of
rope, spades and picks, and two or three
rifles, to be used in case it were anything |
tangible. But the mystery was not to be |
solved by them; it was reserved by the de
cree of Fate for another. All that ever |
was known of that expedition was that, |
about one hour after its departure, three |
wild-looking men ,hstless and breathless, en- |
tered Lagonda in different directions; and
the;next day the horse was found ten miles |
away, standing in a dazed sort of way in a
fence-corner, with the remains of the
wagon at his heels. The men would not
tell anything about it, and the animal
could not; and so the matter ended and
the ghost walked on rs before. And it is
said that it was the reason that-that the
cottage is deserted. But, positively, sir, I
can give you no more Information on the
subject; and I am in no mood for con-
versation"
He resolutely turned his head from me-
l felt assured that this strange man could
tell a thrilling narrative of some kind but
l had slready transgressed every law OF
good manners and respect for personal
feeling. felt that dare not press him
with further questions. arose to go, and
as passed out of the arbor stopped to
pluck few bright asters that smiled at
my feet. put three in my button-hole,
then held out the remainder of the gay
blossoms to my moody companion, re-
marking: r-..-
will you have theses The spook didn't
friQhten nature quite away"
With a cry of horror shall never for
get, he warded of the flowers.
For Gods sake, sir, throw them away
throw them away! I cannot endure it."
Then he hid his face in his hands, and
strong convulsive shudders went over him.
/ stood by, amazed and mute.
Presently he raised his head, and, with
great effort at composure, said:
Excuse me, sir; but those flowers
brought to mind so vividly the terrible
tragedy connected with this place, that 1t
quite overcame me A friend of mine, one
of the participants, gave me an account OF
il, and 1 believe it would be a sorrowful
relief to me to tell some one. You are a
stranger and gentleman, and will have an
honorable regard for what I am about to
confide to you, for the people of Lagonda
are unacquainted with the particulars"
extended my hand to him in silence.
His own was like death as he grasped 1t.
He then commenced his terrible story:
about twenty-five years ago, Adolphe
Legere, handsome young Frenchman,
wOoed and won the belle of Lagonda, An
ME Grey. He bought a farm and built
this cottage for his pretty bride. They
were very happy for a few years, until Le-
gere became ambitious to make q great
fortune for his beautiful baby daughter.
Farming in New York State did not seem
| SSr .yo1
wife and child, he set out with a dissatis-
fed companion, to dig millions out of the
land of gold on the Pacific coast Neither
ever returned to tell of disappointment or
i success.
MRS. Legere and her daughter lived ON
at the farm, the rent of it itsuppOrting them.
Elaine grew into a lovely womanhoOd.
She inherited her dainty features and bril-
liant bloom from her mother, while her
splendid Clark eyes and midnight hair, as
well rs her gay end spIightly manner, she
owed to her fathers nationality. Mrs
Armstrong, q widow, and her son Richard
lived for many years about half a mile
from here, and the two families were very
intimate. Mr.. Armstrong was 1Legere's
comrade ON his illfated journey; and the
sad uncertainty of the fate Of both seemed
10 make the tie between them stronger.
Mrs. Armstrong died, and her son took up
MS 8DOOe- IN AdyOnuo- rrOm tnc tiine
that Richard Armstrong could remember
he had been Elaine Legere's Hover. She
had fed to him for comfort and protection
In every childish trouble, and as the years
wore on, though often teasing and cOquet-
tish, she always loved him. But why so
preface the storys
"One beautiful October night three years
ago-just such fair, sweet moonlight
night as this-Elaine was waiting at the
| garden-gate for her lover. He will never
forget how lovely she looked that night
the last one she ever met him. She wore
q black dress Of some soft fabric; at her
throat and in the waves of her dusky hair,
she had fastened knot of scarlet asters,
and her eyes glowed like the stars. At his
coming she raised he sweet lips for the
| greeting kiss, so quietly, SO earnestly, it
surprised hir 1T was so different from
her usual shy, coquettish way. p
Richard, she said, nesting close TO him
as they sscended the walk, come to the
arbor; want to have little talk with
you all alone. It is early yet.' -e1
They entered tn arbor and sat silently
watching the scene before them. Elaine's
head rested upon his shoulder; her white
hands were closely folded in her lap, and
her eyes wandered dreamily away as II in
search of something. Suddenly she start
ed up.
There it is, Richard! There it is! The
ghost!" ss> "a
"And right over there, sir, beyond the
creek, the spectral flame, emerging from a
woody glade, entered upon its mysterious
20, Richard:' she cried, holding her
face on his breast and clinging closer to
him. lit worries me so; it haunts me all
the time; and it is about that I wish to
speak. Do not interrupt me, dear. From
the time I was a child l can remember
watching ''the ghost" by the hour. Ithas
always had weird fascination, for me,
that has grown stronger with the years.
The broad white light seems always to
beckon me, and q whispered "come" to
float 10 my ears. Richard, I feel impress
ed that the spectre walks for me; think
it could solve 1.-THE mystery of my fathers
death, and am resolved to follow it. No;
do not protest. My mind cannot endure
the suspense; the dread Of this supernatu-
raj urging" -.fgt
Elaine, my love, my love- he cried,
you shall not do so rash thingr
II must end this suspense, Richard, or
shall &C mad,' she said, very sadly; and 1
am resolved to do SO tonight See: it is
crossing the creek now; and by the time ii
returns shall be ready to follow it wher-
ever it goes. II is still early. Will you
go with me, Richard s"' -
"She sat looking at him with face like
a wrath and eyes resolute though horror
filed"
..Elaine,' he cried, folding her in his
arms, this is a nightmare of the fancy.
A foolish light from the marshes-noth-
ing more. Ny darling, dismiss this hate
full whim from your mind forever
"'Then, / must prove 1t whim to be
content;' and she resOlutely and swiftly
freed herself from his clasp and sped rap
idly to the house." ~. .te
Here my strange companion became so
overcome with emotion that his voice fail
ed him; and he shook with anguish.
Then, suddenly he started up with clench-
l.xl L.. lai. nod in