Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-05-30
white with crimson stain at its pallid

throat
The house was aroused into instantane
GUS connections. lights flashed into bright
ness at the various doors, and an eager
circle of inquirers surrounded Aunt Re.
becca, who evinced strong symptoms of
an intention to 60 into Mysteries.
sit glided past me like gust Of wind?'
she shrieked, replying at hazard to the
questions rained upon her-''all in white
with that dreadful mark of blood upon Its
throat! It's warning--I know it's a
warning that haven't long to live! Oh,
what shall do-what shall do?''
"But don't understand what you were
! doing out in the Ghosts Corridor at this
time of night" interrupted Col. Orme,
staring at his sister as if not quite certain
whether this were an actual occurrence
| in real life or merely fragme ntary part
of his last dream.
"Well, if you must know" said Miss
Rebecca, with little hysteric sob, II
dropped my false teeth there, just at dusk
and didn't like to look for them there
with Violet and Capt. Lakewood stand
Ing by, and so-and SOL
"Ohol that's it, eh2" said Col. Orme,
laughing. upon my word, Sister Becky
you are rather particular for wo-
man fifty years DID,"
'Only forty nine, James," interrupted
Miss Rebecca, with shrilI accent of in
dignation.
"But the ghost2" inquired young Halle
wood, who had just arrived on the scene
of action, with rather flushed brow and
embarrassed air.
Upon which Aunt Rebecea gave way to
the confined influences Of her brothers un-
kind remark and the fright Of ghost-see-
ing. and fairly tainted without further
notice. According to the usual custom
of womankind on such occasions, Colonel
Orme and and all the other gentleman
were hustled out into the hall. while the
victim of the female officials was deluged
with eau de cologne. stjfied with burnt
feathers, and vigorously treated with hot
flannel.
s'She's coming to, poor dear creature ~
was the final verdict hurled at Col. Orme
through crack in the door.
"Well, Pm glad of it, Pm sure, said the
Colonel dolorously, rubbing his hands.
'for it's cold out here in the hall. Why,
halloa! is that you, my little Violet !?
What S the matter? You haven't seen a
ghost, hope ?"
"No, papa, faltered Violet, "but"-
''Suppose we three adjourn into the Ii
brary, Col. Orme, and will undertake
the task of EXPLAINING" interposed Chas.
Lakewood, while Violet's cheeks grew
like flame.
"Well, may I venture to inquire what
dered colonel when the library door was
| safely closed.
ut means, sir" said Charles, laughing.
yet little puzzled how to proceed, "that
Violet, your daughter, and 1 we're just
looking out at the stars, In the embrasure
of the great hall window, when we saw
some one approaching with light. Vio-
let went to see what the apparition meant,
/ when Miss Rebecca (whom it proved to
be) dropped her candle and ran shrieking
away"
$50 Violet was the ghost, eh ?" said the
colonel, REFRESHING very strong inclina
ton to laugh.
| "You see, papa" interposed that young
lady.'I wore my long cashmere mantle,
for was afraid of colds, and it was tied
at the throat with red ribbons, and"
"And Aunt Rebecca took it for granted
that you were the murdered heroine of our
family ghost story" said the colonel arch
iy. but allow me to ask, young peple,
what you were so much interested in ?"
"Well, sir" said Lakewood, II had
just asked her If she would marry me-
don It run away Violet-and she said Y es,
that is, If could win her fathers con-
SENT"
"And 1 would like to know what her
father says to the proposition ?" added
the young officer, laughingly, OBTAINING
Violet, who was struggling to escape"
"He says" answered Col. Orme, "that
your intrepdity in facing the ghost de-
serves some reward, and he like wise, sup
poses that his daughter must be allowed to
have her own way. Take her. Charley
and don It spoil her No thanks now, but
let me 90 and see after your Aunt Re-
becca."
"Papa!" she whispered, as he arose,
with his hand on the door.
"Well, my dear ?"
"Don't tell Aunt Becky that-that --''
"That you were the ghost Just as you
please"
And he went, chuckling, to inquire after
his sisters health. There is no evidence
that he ever did batray Violet'5 secret;
but two things may be regarded as settled
facts in the record of Alnwick Pace-one
is that Aunt Rebecca strenuously denies
the existence of ghosts, and abhors the
verp sight of her niece's white mantle
with cherry trimmings; the other is, that
she is particularly careful never to pass
through the solemn haunted hall after
sunset.-Boau Bells.
How1o RAISE CHILDREN.-Tre them
kindly.
Don't preach politeness and propriety to
them, and violate these laws yourself. In
other words, let the example you set them
be good one.
Never quarrel in their presence. If you
want to quarrel, wait till the children are