The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-01-18
THE CROWSNEST GHOST.
A True Story.

1t would be almost impossible to dis
cover any one more entirely devoid of
superstition than myself. Neverthe-
less, when ! was seventeen years old
an event happened which caused me to
believe mine haunted life. was
staying in Paris at the house of my
guardian, Sir Charles c., and dress
ing for my first ball--a ball at the En-
glish Embassy. My dress, a triumph
of Partisan taste, had been fastened,
and stood before the glass while my
maid arranged the flowers in my hair.
A splendid bouquet lay beside my
gloves aud fan upon the toilet-table.
"Ah, now mademoiselle is beauti-
fuln' exclaimed my maid Justine, in
French, as she stepped back to survey
her work admiringly.
blushed with pleasure. 1t was the
first compliment that had been paid
me, and my glass told me it was true.
wonder who sent me these flow
ersP' said, taking up the bouquet
preparatory to leaving the room.
Mademoiselle will doubtless dis
cover her admirer among her partners
tonight, y was the girls reply.
AT this moment there was q knock
at the door. A telegram was handed
TO me. "a
Mrs. Northcote is dangerously i'll,
and wishes to see her step-daughter be-
fore she dies.'
Startled, dismayed, but beyond all
measure veXed at receiving such an un-
timely message, dropped the paper
upon the floor. g Bring me a railway
guide quickp' / said to Justine.
Mrs. Northcote was my step-mother,
but we had never met. My father had
made a mesalliance out in India by tax
ing a half-caste for his second wife, and
when he died he left to his widow, for
her life, the family estate of "Crows-
nest, " to which he had only Just sue
ceeded. found by the railway guide
that if | changed my dress with speed
there was time to catch the last train
that night from Paris. By noon next
day | should reach Dashshire, in which
county Crowsnest is situated,
Justine, | cried, excitedly, ''bring
me my travelling dress. You must 90
with me tonight to England ''
"Mon dieu, mademoiselle! Would
you take off that rayishing dress that
suits you to such marvelp Would YOU
give up the ball -"
Once more looked at my reflection
in the glass. Once more | took up the
railway timetable to study its contents.
At nine o clock next morning there was
another train. Meditatively I
ia sed the bouquet to my face. Who
was 1t said: ''The woman who hesitates
is lostP" The sweet perfume of the
flowers permeated my senses. Who
had sent themP Curiosity prevailed. /
would wait till the morrow, 90 to the
ball, and solve the mystery. Sir Charles
and Lady c. were waiting for me
when descended the stairs. / did not
say anything about the telegram; we
entered the carriage and were driven to
the Embassy.
The ball was brilliant in the extreme
and | completely intoxicated with the
adulation l received. La iolie An
glaise!" "The new debutantep' was
on everybody's lips. The night was
half over before l even remembered the
avowed object of my deferred departure
for Overwhelmingly, to discover the
sender of the flowers.
"Of what were you thinking so pro-
foundly, Miss Northcote?" asked oen-
tleman, in way that made me start
The speaker was Mr.. Weston. He had
been introduced to me few DAYS be-
fore at my guardians house,
" was thinking Of the sender of this
lovely bouquet, and wondering who he
is. See, my name, Nina, is spelt out
IN white violets, | answered, holding
the flowers toward him.
Il hope you were thinking kindly of
the donorP'
Indeed was"
Thank you. VIII you always so
think of him-of me?''
My surprise was too great to frame
an immediate reply. Besides. his
manner embarrassed me. 1t inferred
so much more than the mere words.
danced with him more frequently than
with any one else, and found a new
and strange attraction in his presence.
On returning from the ball / told nv
kind host and hostess of the telegram,
and Of my determination to start for
England on the morrow.
Lady C. looked grave when she
read the message.
You might have saved few hours
dear, - she said.
''Only very few. And then should
have missed the most delightful expert
ence of all my life!" l answered, fer
vently.
but it was case of life and death.
my child" she added, gently. And
felt she had given me reproof.
My trunks were soon packed by JUS
tine, who accompanied me to England.
Sir Charles c., as my legal guardi-
an, also insisted on going with me, and
late on the following night we were
driving through the moonless darkness
OF country roads to Crowsnest A
stately housekeeper met us in the hall.
Miss Northcote, you come too late, y
she said, and there was more austeritv
than sadness in her tone. s.My dear
mistress died three hours ago. If You
had left Paris last night you would have
been in time. My lady had a commu-
nication she desired to make to vou.''
'Whatw was itP" asked, in much dis
tress.
That no one will ever know in this
world, " was the answer. And l felt
from thatmoment as though Mrs. Ste
Yens WAS my enemy.