The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-05-24
4 suue,rLY GUARDIAN.
Irrom NE Atlantic Coz Msy.l

4 VERY curious instance OF uic.iohs
shcstIs guardianship came to my knowleage
( few wears before leaving France. ! had
hesrd many circumstances relating 10 y Tree
IL discussed and commented on long before
knew tue parties. AT length the introduc'
t,on of mutual friend brought me INTO IN
timste acquaintance with two OF the mos'
delightful people II was ever my iot 70
know. Madame 81. L., the widow OF
French gentleman Of rank and fortune,
aud her sister, Miss f., were TWO eIoe''s
ladies, well known 10 large circle Q,
friends for their piety, beneyoience' ano
rare accomplishments. they iiyea IN
prctty chateau with beautiful grounos, tne
nyoperiy OF the elder lady. Tncy were
daughters OF an English gentleman, whose
extravaganza had disslpaied large fortune,
but at whose death they each came INTO
posscssion OF o competence, which having
been settled upon themselves, he hsd Dcen
unable to touch. Their acquaintance WIZ
their seli.constituted guardian oegan
when they were Young girls, and residing
with their father, Mr.. r., at q nouse
close 10 the "Paul Brique," which lies
acme miles from Calais, on the road 10
GuIsnes. part OF that debstable land
during the occupation OF Calais by the
English. French, and Spaniards. On lne
sjie OF their house had been IN that iar-oii
time fortress. which had been besieged'
taken, and burned TO the ground, AFTER inc
slsupbter OF all in II, by mixed army OF
French and Spaniards. They were often
left alone with younger brother ZOE
MANY weeks, and even months, OF
time, their father preferring the gay
cites OF Paris to the seclusion OF their
country home. IL was during one OF tbese
intervals that their brother was taken very
III. and his sisters were one night so aiarmeo
abouf him that they agreed to sit up to-
getber for the whole night. which they nad
not done before. A little past midnight
they were aroused by sbrieks and Cries Tor
help, coming directly from the garden
below their window. Shortly after their
maid-seTyant rushed into the room hall wild
with terror, saying that she heard men
placing ladders against each side CT the
house and yeciferating loudly. The young
ladies distinctly heard the same, but the
brother never once awoke from bis sleep,
His sisters dared neither look out OF the
window nor 20 outside the hall door 10 in-
vestigate, for they were alone IN the mousse
with one servant, and even the gardener
lived In q cottage some distance on. Iheir
fears came to climax when the windows
began to shake violently, and the looking
glass in their room was shivered to atoms.
A perfect lull succeeded, and after time
they became aware OF the presence OF tall,
shadowy figure draped In long Spanish
cloak, evidently an officer. He spoke TO
them In French, and told them not TO be
alarmed, that he was spirit, and not cor.
poreaI; that he was Spanish officer killed
hundreds OF years ago in the siege OF the
r.. sotx baA hot mic
their house; that bis name was Gaspar;
and that be would always attend them, and
through life be their faithful and devoted
friend. He then vanished from their sight,
leaving them Ia state OF utter bewilder-
ment. When made their acquaintance
forty years bad gone by since that memora.
BILE night, and nobIy had Gaspar redeemed
his voluntary promise. He accustomed
them to long conversations with him, and
always gave them the s0undest advice. He
mixed inyisibly in all their amusemeDts;
PLAYED on the guitar to their piano-playirg;
accompanied their voices when they sang,
90 that many OF their friends were astouish-
ed at the strength and sweetness OF their
performance; would take hand at cards,
and be one OF any little party they gave.
He was rarely invisible even to themselves,
but many heard his voice joining in con-
yersation. He rescued them from many an
unpleasant dilemma. Once, when they
went TO ball, and by some mistake the
carriage which brought them, and which
ought to have returned to take them back,
went home with some other party, they
were left quite helpless. A dreDching rain
was falling, all their friends had left, and it
was long past midnight. They were In the
greatest perplexity, when suddenly their
names were called, carriage being at the
door to convey them home. They were
most thankful, but made no inquiry till, en-
getting out, Miss X. asked the driver how
be came to know their names and where to
come, as bis was not the carriage they had
ordered. The man replied that he had been
going home for the night, when On officer
in long cloak stopped him and engaged bis
vehicle for TWO ladies, giving their names
and telling them where to go Tor them.
Nor did Gaspar, while they were yet girls
and unmarried, disdain to join in any harm
less freak tending to their amusement.
They were once talking in their own draw
ing. room OF a private fancy bali to be given
by friend in Calais, and 10 which they
were specially invited. Speaking OF some
Of their young acquaintances, they mention
ed one whose affection made her generally
disagreeable, and who was at the same time
so exceedingly plain that 1t was difficult to
fad partners for her at any OF the parties
where they met.
"WOuld IT. be curious" said the older
Miss r., il Gaspar were to 90 to the bail In
mis- full dress as Spanish officer, and with
the profusion OF bows solicit the honor OF
dancing with her?"
"Yesi" replied the other sister, "and
when the dance was ended take her back to
her mamma, with complimentary speech
on the elegance OF her daue dancing"
They then made up speech for the 0cca-
sion, and laughed heartily at their own con.
lectures. The day on which the ball was to
be given arrived, and in the afternoon the
sisters walked into Calais, as they were TO
dress, and afterwards sleep, at their friends
house. During their walk they necessarily
heard footsteps behind them. yet on look.
ing back no one was In sight. On entering
the streets OF Calais they distinctly heard the
clinking Of spurs on the pavement, and
made sure that some officer was following
them, but could see no one. Having dress
ed In costume in the evening. they Joined
the gay circle In tie ballroom, and ut first
sat down with some Young friends, the
young lady OF whom they had spoken, as
well as her mamma, being present. Great
was their establishment when Spanish
officer, masked and in full costume (they
knew II was Gaspar), walked Up, without
once looking at them, and asked the young
lady TO dance! When the dance was finish
ed he took her back TO her mamma, aut
with q number Of courtly bows made {
speech, word for word the same that the
Misses r. bad improvised for him ut home
Years passed on; the elder Miss r. mar
RED Monsieur st. L., and, inseparabe iron
Der sister, they all went TO the pretty cha
teau near Cologne, where they still lived