The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-12-29

tage, and had been seen during stormy nights
| in the mountains Amy indeed asserted that
she often heard his voice calling her, and the
| light that burned always from nightfall until
dawn in her easement told that her heart ever
kept vigil over his fate.
The old cottage continued to be thought
haunted by ghostly visitors, and because OF
| this superstition none would occupy it. 1t
| gradually fell into decay. The women of the
village rarely passed the dead miners house
| without offering q prayer for the restless
soul
The old mines having been worked, it was
at length determined that new excavations
should be opened. Amid the operations
subterraneous murmur was heard mingling
with the sound of the pick. Suddenly a
wailng cry rent the air. and the earth SEEM
ed to tremble. Those above rushed in terror
to the mouth of the pit, and the most fearless
were about to descend, when the call bell was
rung violently Every rope was put in use;
and the miners were white and trembling with
intense fear as they reached the top.
To every inquiry they accorded the most
disconnected replies, such as imam" "a
demon" "a mraclel" At length from one
old man they gathered that they had worked
steadily to open communication between the
new and the old mine, but only finding
small obstruction at last sturdy blow was
made, and the dividing wall had given away;
that when the cloud of dust had passed from
before their astonished eyes they saw a young
man; that he was lying upon rocky bed
he seemed to be sleeping; that his cheeks
looked fresh and fair, and that his lips were
still red. Instead of approaching him they
had fled in fright, filled with the belief that it
was an evil spirit in human guise the beheld.
The owner of the mine listened attentively.
Ac al hn Ii-cln1 r1 v
claiming "To the mine; to the mind p Soon
the truth was known. Ere many minutes
three miners issued forth, bearing between
| them the body of the young man. With
feeling of irrepressible horror they laid him
down on the greensward His clothes
were old and indicated astye worn years
and years ago all were, however, in per-
feet state of preservation. He seemed dressed
as though for fete In his hand he held
box. 1t contained gold cross, chain and
medallion. Time had blackened these little
| pledges, which the stranger had doubtless in
| tended for some village maiden.
They were about to raise the body and bear
| it away for burial, when old Amy was seen
approaching.
They made way for her, and those near at
hand were struck by the singular expression
of her face Her eyes sparkled with new life,
and her steps, usually SO feeble, seemed to
have gained the elasticity ofyouth. Waving
them aside with an imposing dignity, she
advanced directly towards the dead man.
Knceling, she parted the dark hair on his
brow and murmured, in a tone ofinexpressi-
| Bile love and tenderness, his name-"Alickw
AT once all was clear. In an instant the
| old people present recognized the companion
of their youth. Again she spoke:
"Alick, friend Of my childhood, my hus-
band, 1 knew that we would meet again on
| earth"
As she ceased speaking, her head dropped
lower and lower, until it sank upon his breast
as if in prayer.
At length the young men advanced to re-
move the body. Gently the women raised
the figure of the forlorn woman. Seeing
that she made no resistance they bent over
her, and found that she, too, was dead. The
same gave holds them both.