Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-03-13
New Sel,ies-Vol. "a. No. IL

seeching letters from my guardian, pre-
vailed, and returned to Paris.
| There | renewed my acquaintance with
Mr.. Weston IT, was impossible to he
blind to his feelings, his intentions. Ev-
cry word and every look told me that he
loved NE, and the day came when he ask
ed me to be his wife.
To his evident surprise, and to my in
expressible sorrow, refused to marry
him. Could join my life-haunted life
to that of the man loved with all my
heart? True. | had no visitation from
the beautiful, reproachful face since l
left Crowsnest. but might it not return
at any time. at any hour? Oh. why had
my fathers wife cast this blight upon my
life? Why did she haunt me? Was it
heinous crime mott have gone in time
to see her die?
Suddenly became possessed by a
strange longing to revisit Crowsnest, to
see again the weird apparitiOn that had
exercised so subtle an influence on my
life. With the persistent way ywarhDess
of a spoilt child, insisted on going to
CroWsnest. insisted also that no one
but Justine should accompany me. My
indignant guardian yielded to my wish
es. and l went. But not once during
my months visit did l see the haunting
face.
l believed then that my ersecution
was ended.
On my return to Paris Mr.. Weston
renewed his offer and accepted him. A
few months of married happiness effee-
tually dispersed the cloud that bad over
shaGOwed me.
My mind warped, weakened as it had
Oeen giving way to morbid fancies-
gained tone and daily by assOciating
with my husbands. which was eminent
ly matter-of-fact and practical. 1t was,
therefore, without the slightest forebo-
ding of evil that we set out for Deyen-
shire to spend the summer months at
CrowsneSC.
George was much pleased with the
old house; above all with the cedar
chamber. which / found-withOut any
orders to that effect-had been prepared
for US. 1t was late at night when Ne
arrived, and there was nOS time TO alter
The arrangements; besides, there seemed
no need, tor believed, as | have stated,
that had ou,lIyed my fears.
We were tired uy our journey and soon
fell fast asleep.
Toward morning I awOke.
A stream of moonlight flooded the
chamber, As of old, the shadow of the
pear tree lay along the floor fickering in
the night wind. | watched it for a
while, then-this shadow being closely
associated in my mind with something
else-1 looked toward the window, and
could scarcely suppress acry. There, in
the old place, between the gaslight and
moonlight. appeared-Lhe face!
"George," L whispered, trembling,
"wakel feel so frightened"
What is it Nina? Have you seen
ghost?" he inquired lightly.
"Hushi Look there~
Raising himself upon his elbow he
obeyed.
why, there is woman in the roomp
he exclaimed, in the greatest consterna-
tiOn. Then, after pausing few mo-
msnts, he continued slowly and deliber-
ately, as though reading by bad light
from book: mol it is only an illusion
but what an illusioni l seem to see
most distinctly a beautiful woman. Her
head turned this way is supported by
her hand. Her hair-a bright auburn
hangs loose about her shoulders. 1t isa
handsome face but sorrowful-"
"Stay, what are you about to dO?" l
aeked. as rising, he made d quick move
ment forward.
"To dispel the illusion, darling.
So saying be shook the curtain vio-
lently.
MAY all ghostE visitsnts be as easily
lie continued, laughing, as
the figure quivered, swayed, became
then, in moment, vanished.
But what was it?
81 will reproduce it, and you shall
see."
He loosened the curtain and it fell to
the ground in the old folds and creases,
As it was before. There, sure enough,
she was again.
"And is that what scared you on your
first visit here?" he inquired, turning 10
me suddenly, as though new light
broke on him.
Yes, thought it was the spirit of
my stepmother. l imagined the like
ness, of course" Then, between laugh
;er and tears, l made full confession
Of all my supersTitiOus folly.
Next morning we closely interrOga-
led Mrs. Stevens. She expressed her be-
lief that the cedar chamber was haunt
ed, aud that the communication her
mistress had desired to make to me was
10 that effect.
We read of strange results brought
about by the juxtapositiOn of certain
bodies. Here was an instance.
Unique in its way, in which heavenly
,ody-the moon-aided by such COM
earthly materials as modern
,as Jet and AN old faded silken curtain.
produced as perfect specimen Of a
female ghost as ever visited
)ur world.