The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-04-13
IN LIFE AND DEATH
A Page of Family History.

He shuddered, and Murehison shud-
dered, too. There could be no doubt
that he believed he had seen this-thing.
"But what was it ikeP'
"Like the shadow Of q man-if it was
like anything. kshadow having sub
stance, if you can understand that"
"I dare say it was shadowl"
'Look at the place where itstood. The
light is full. bright, equally difnsed. No
shadow could be there"
Imagination, then"
"As you will; only never ask me to sit
IN the room with it again."
Murchison paused for moment. He
tried to persuade himself that Conway
was practicing foolish hoax-that he
had had too much wine--even that this
might be the first Illusion of q coming
fever. But none or these theories would
stand. Conway was Of cool, insoueiant
temper, not the least given to practical
Jokes; he had not swallowed a single
glass of wine; and he had not the faintest
sign of physical weakness about him.
What he did show were strong, unmis-
taxable symptoms of horror, and of per
feet good health.
Yet it might have been some fantas-
tic of light and shade, and If 80, it would
certainly not reappear in the drawing
room.
"Come," he said, 'let us 90 and join
the ladies. IF 1t was shadow it will
stay here"
at is no use. And, to tell the truth,
/ shall be glad to get out of the house.
Make some excuse, there's a good fel-
low"
sand let you go away with the idea
that you have seen ghost? I thought
you had more pluck"
"Look here, Ralph, it is no use talk
ing in that way. l say nothing about
ghosts. l only say that have seen-and
I don't know why you should not have
seen, too-what described to you. II
I saw it again ever so often it would
make no difference to me, except that it
is uncanny-more than that horrible
to see it standing their mocking every
thing she does" He shuddered. "And
I suppose you don't entertain any idea
of trying to lay the ghost, as you call it.
I doubt whether the countess would
thank you"
"The countess2 Do you imagine she
has any consciousness Of itp'
"How can I tell? ALI I know, you
know" ..
Every we'll, then, come into the draw
ing-room and try to find out something
more"
He was obstinate, being fairly divided
now between belief and unbelief; and
Conway was obliged to yield. There
were about dozen ladies, young and
old, in the room when he entered. Lady
Daintry was sitting on sofa talking to
a dowager in black velvet and diamonds.
They were curious contrast-one old,
wrinkled, and shriveled, gorgeous in
black and scarlet and flashing light; the
other in the very perfection Of beauty,
in rich quaint dress of pure white,
golden hair seemed to touch its breast,
stood the dark shadow. Conway told
Ralph by look that it was there.
They separated Immediately, and Con.
way found himself near the lady he had
taken in to dinner. She was the only
person with whom he had the slightest
link of acquaintance, and she, after his
neglect, was not disposed to be very
gracious. He turned his back upon that
sofa, and applied himself to being civil
Ito her.
But It was task beyond his power.
He felt himself drawn back irresistibly
to look at the countess. Other men now
came in, and she had left her seat; but
wherever she went the shadow followed
her, moving as she moved, and keeping
always so near that it seemed as If she
had but to put out her hand and touch
it. Seeing this, Conway soon ceased to
be able to see anything else. He found
quiet corner and pretended to look at
some photographs, but his eyes continu-
ally followed the spectre.
Once Murchison came to him.
"Well," he said, "is it still thereq"
''It stands In the corner, between her
and the piano. There, that girl who il
going to play almost touched it,
As Ralph strained his eyes following
the direction of Conway's, he became
aware that Lady Daintry was watching
them both. She moved abruptly from
the place where she stood, and cast 6
rapid, almost imperceptible glance back
ward over her shoulder. He fancied hf
saw her lips culver and her color change
Next moment, however, she deliberately
crossed the room, and coming up to Con
<way, spoke to him. .
1t was only some question or remark
about those photographs which he had
not looked at; but while she spoke anc
he answered, curious scrutiny was
. going on. His looks, instead of resting
on her face, went past her to the thing
standing close behind; hers seemed to ex.
press suspicion, distrust, uncertainty
Her words were very sweet and gracious
her voice soft and unconstrained; bq1
Murchson said to himself, "Does she
know of itq Does she fear anything? L
it real after all?' Then he became aware
that the countess had asked question
to which Conway gave no answer. She
stood waiting, the expression of her face
Jooxoo:ucv into =, ;pdaoor;ho iIo ~; - ~, 80