The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-05-20

less address myself 10 ner, WHICH 10 not in
tend to do"
$50 YOU need not trouble yourself about
that - the ghost continued; but it seems N.
me that YOU are not getting along very well
with YOUR affair. If were you should speak
out without waiting any longer. You win
never have better chance. You are not
likely to be in errupted; and, SO far as | can
iudge. the lady seems disposed to listen to Won
favorably: that is, If she ever intends to do So
There is no knowing when John Hinckman
will go away again; certainly not this sum-
mer. If | were in your place, should never
dare to make love to Hinclkman's niece if he
were anywhere about the place. If he should
catch any one offering himself to Miss Mad
cline. be would then be terrible man to en-
counter"
Iagreed perfectly to all this.
&c cannot bear to think OF MIN" l ejaeu-
lated aloud.
quickly toward me.
Here was an awkward situation. The long
sneech of the ghost, to which Madeline paid
no attention, but which l heard with perfect
distinctness, had made me forget myself.
1t was necessary to explain quickly. Of
course, it would not do to admit that it was
of her dear uncle that | was speaking; and
so mentioned hastily the first nameI thought
of.
''Mr. Vilars, p" l said
This statement was entirely correct, for I
never could bear to think of Mr.. Vilars, who
was a gentlemUn who had, at various times
paid much attention to Madeline
g 1t is wrong for you to speak in that way
of Mr.. Vilars," she said. Gle is remarkable
well educated and sensible young man, and
has very pleasant manners. He expects TO be
elected to the legislature this fall, and |
should not be surprised if he made his mark.
He will do well in legislative body, for when
ever Mr.. Vlars has anything to say he know
Just how and when to say it."
This was spoken very quietly, and without
any show of resentment, which was all very
natural, for if Madeline thought at all favor
ably of me she could not feel displeased that |
sh uld have disagreeable emotions in regard
to a possible rival. The concluding words
contained hint which was not slow to I'M
derstand. l felt very sure that if Mr.. Vilars
were in my present position he would speak
quickly enough.
g know it is wrong to have sucl ideas
about person." said, ''but cannot telp il. !"
The lady did not chide me, and after this
she seemed even in asofter mood. A; for me,
| felt considerably annoyed, for had not
wished to admit that any thought of Mr.. Vilars
had ever occupied my mind.
You should not speak aloud that way"
said the ghost, Tor you may get Yourself into
trouble | want to see everything go well
with you, because then you may be disposed
to help me, espec tally if l should chance TO be
ofany assistance to you, which l hope | shall
be-"
/ longed to tell him that there was no way
in which he could help Inc so much as by TAX
ing his instant departure. To make love to a
young lady with ghost sitting on the railing
near by, and that ghost the apparition of a
much-dreaded uncle, the very idea of whom in
such a position and at such a time made me
tremble, was difficult, if not an impossible,
thing to do; but forbore 10 speak, although
| may have looked my mind.
I" | suppose" continued the ghost, " that
you have not heard anyth ng that might be of
advantage to me- OF course, am very anxious
to hear, but if you have anything to tell me, |
can wait until YOU are alone. | will come to
you tonight in your room, or will stay here
un il the lady goes away.'
"You need not wait here,n | said; 81 have
nothing at all to say o you"
Madeline sprang to her feet, her face flushed
and her eyes ablaZe.
''Wait here!n she cried. "What do you
suppose am waiting for! Nothing to say to
me, indeed II should think So What should
you have to say to meH'
'Madeline,"I exclaimed, stepping toward
h er, ''let me explain"
But she had gone.
Here was the end of the world for me!
turned fiercely to the ghost.
"Wretched existence ~ | cried. "You have
ruined everything. You have blackened my
whole life. Had it not been for you"
But here my voice faltered. 1 could say no
more.
"You wrong me-" said the ghost. 81 have
not injured you. | have tried only to encour-
age and assist you, and it is your own folly
that has done this mischief. But do not de-
spair Such mistakes as these can be ex-
planned. Keep up brave heart. Good-by."
And he vanished from the railing like a
bursting soap bubble.
I plnnnily 70 had lint leo p;
tions that night except those of despair and
misery which my wretched thoughts called up.
The words | had uttered had sounded to
Madeline like the basest insult. OF course,
there was only one Interpretation she could
put upon them.
As to explaining my calculations, that was
impossible. l thought the matter over and
over again as | lay awake that night, and
determined that would never tell Madeline the
facts of the case. 1t would be better for me
to suffer all my life than for her know that
the ghost OF her uncle haunted the house. Mr..
Hinckman was away, and if she knew Of his
ghost she could not be made 10 believe that
he was not dead. She might not survive the
shock! No, my heart could bleed but | would
never tell her.
The next day was fine, nei her too cool nor
too warm; the breeZes We're gentle, and nature
smiled. But there were no walks or rides with
Madeline. She seemed to be much engaged
uuiuS 'nc ud1, anu saw Du llGJle OF her.
When we met at meals she was polite, but very
quiet and reserved She had evidently de
termined on course of conduct, and had re-
solved to assume that, although had been
very rude to her, she did not understand
tn; import Of my words. 1t would be
quite proper of course, for her not to know
what meant by my expressions of the night
before.
was downcast and wretched, and said but
little, and the only bright streak across the
black horizon of my woe was the fact that she
did not appear to be happy although she af-
fected an air of unconcern. The moonlit
porch was deserted that evening, but wander.
ing about the house found Madeline in the
library alone. She was reading, but | went in
and sat down near her. felt that, although
| could not do so fully, 1 must in a measure
explain my conduct of The night before She
listened quietly to a somewhat labored apology
| made for the words had used
" have not the slightest idea what you
meant" she said, "but you were very rude ~
earnestly dsclaimed any intention OF rude
ness, and assured her, with warmth of speech
that must have made some impression upon
her. that r0Iieress to her would be an action
impossible TO me. l said a great deal upon
the subject, and implored her to believe that
II 1t were not for certain obstacle | could
speak to her SO plainly that she would under
stand everything.
She was silent for time, aud then she said.
rather more kindly, thought, than she had
spoken before -
" Is that obstacle in any way connected with
my uncler'
Yes / answered, after a little hesitation