The Virginia star., 1882-12-09
The FhantOm Hag.


accounts grew more horrible the young
ladies drew closer together.
"Have you ever had an adventure with
a ghost2" said they to me. do you not
know a story to make us shiverf Come,
tell US something"
ssI am quite willing to do 80, replied.
al will tell You of an incident that hap
pened to myself"
stToward the close of the autumn OF
1853 visited one Of my friends, snD-pEe-
feet of a little city in the centre OF france.
Albert was an old companion OF my youth,
and had been present at his wedding.
His charming wife was full OF goodness
and grace. My friend wished to show me
his happy home, and moreover, introduce
me to his two pretty little daughters
was feted and taken great care OF. Three
DAYS after my arrival | knew the entire
city. curlositles. old castles, ruins, etc.
Every day about four o'clock, Albert
would order the phaeton and we wo I'D
take long ride, returning home In the
evening. One evening my friend said 10
ME:
Tomorrow we will go farther than
usual. | want to take you to the Black
Rocks. These are curious cid Druldical
stones, on a wild and desolate plain My
wife has not seen them yet, SO we will take
her."
| The followind day we drove out at the
usnal hour. Albert's wife sat at his side
= occupied the back seat alone. The
weather was gray and sombre that after
noon, and the journey was not very pleas
ant When we arrived at the Black Rocks
/ UQ rnf
phaeton, and Albert took care OF the hor-
seS.
We walked some little distance through
the fields before reaching the giant remains
of the old Druid religion. Albert's wife
wished 10 climb 10 the summit OF the altar,
anil assisted her. | can still see her
graceful figure as she stood draped IN red
shawl, her veil floating around her.
.sHow beautiful it all Is! But does 1t
not make you feel nttle melancholy"
said she, extending her hand toward the
dark horizon, which was lighted little by
the rays of the sun.
The afternoon wind blew violently, and
sighed through the stunted trees that grew
around the stone croElechs: not adweiling
nor a human being was in sight. We hac-
tened to get down and silently retraced our
steps to the carriage.
1--WE must hurry" said Albert, ''the sky
is threatening and we shall scarcely nave
time to reach home before night"
We carefully wrapped the lobes around
his wife. She tied the veil aroaad her
face, and the horses started into rapid
trot. 1t was growing dark; the scentry
around us was bare and desolate; clumps
| rA nd
formed the only vegetation. We began To
feel the cold, for the wind blew with fury;
the only sound we heard was the steady
I.trot of the horses, AMI the sharp, clear tin
ke of their bells.
Suddenly / felt the heavy Clasp of a
hand upon my shoulder. | turned my
head quickly. A horrible apparition pre-
sented itself before my eTes-in the empty
space at my side sat hlleous woman. |
tried to cry out; the phantom placed her
fingers upon my lips to impose silence upon
me. l could not utter sound. The
woman was clothed in white linen; her
!. head was cowled; her face was overspread
with corpse like pallor, and IN place of
eyes gh lstly black cavities.
sat motlonless, overcome with terror.
The ghost suddenly stood u. and leaned
over the young wife, She encircled her
with her arms, and lowered her hideous
, head as if to kiss her forehead.
"What wind!' cried Madame Albert'
turning precipitatey toward me. "My
veil Is torn"
As she turned felt the same internal
pressure on my shoulder, and the place
occupied by the phantom was empty. |
looked out to the right and left the road
was deserted, not an object was in sight.
"What dreadful gale" said madame
, Albert. ''Did you feel it2 | cannot ex-
plain the terror that seized me; my veil
was torn by the wind as If by an invisible
hand; ] am trembling still"
Never mind,o said Albert, smiling.
''wrap yourself up. my dear, We'll soon be
, warming curse yes by good fire at home
, am starving"
A cold perspiraiion covered my forehead,
shiver ran through me; my tongue Glove
to..the roof Of my mouth, and | could moi
articulate sound; sharp pain in my
T shoulder was the only sensible evidence
, that was not the victim of an halluclna
ton. Putting my hand on the aching
l shoulder, felt o rent in the cloak thai
was wrapped around me. / looked at IT.
j | FIVE perfectly distinct holes-vislble traces
, OF the grip of the horrible phantom.
thought for moment that | should die OF
that my reason would leave me, think n
l was tho most dreadful moment of my life.
Finally became more calm; this name.
D less agony had lasted some minutes, and
! don't think 1t possible for a human being
;, to suffer mo.e than did during th 1t time.
AS soon as | had recovered my senses. |
Q thought at first would tell my friends all
3 that had passed, but hesitated, aud finally
e did not, fearing my story would trigh,en
y Madame Albert aud feeling sure my friend
would not believe. and gradually the on
preston OF terror that overwhelmed me
became lighter.
q AS soon as we reached home, Madam,
{ Albert united her veil; II was literally Ii
shreds. hoped to find my clothes whole
and prove TO myself 1t was all imagination
Bul no; The cloth was torn in FIVE place.
: Just where the fingers had seized m,
i shoulder. There was no mark, however
. OF my flesh, only dull pam.
a returned 10 Paris on the next day
where endeavored 10 forget the strang,
adventure, or at least when thought OF i
| would force myself to think 1t an hallu
| cinatiOl