Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1884-01-24
Iaiied and returned

my guardian, prevailed, and returned
to Paris.
There 1 renewed my acquaintance
| with Mr.. Weston. 1t was impossible
to be blind to his feelings, his inten-
tons. Every word and look told me
that lie loved me, and the dav came
when he asked me to be his wife. TIC
his evident surprise, and to my own in.
expressible sorrow, refused to marry
him. Could l join my life-a haunted
l;fe-tO that of the man loved with al.
my soul? True, had had no visitation
from the beautiful, reproachful face
since Left Crowsnest; but might it not
return at any time. at any hour? Oh.
why had my fathers wife cast this
blight upon my life9 Why did she
haunt me? Was it such hcinous
crime not to have gone in time to see
her die?
Suddenly l became possessed with 1;
strange longing to revisit Crowsnest. to
see again the weird apparition that haG
exercised so subtle an influence on my
life. With the persistent waywardnes:
of spo:lt child l insisted on going &c
Crowsnest. / insisted also that no one
but Justine should accompany me. My
;nduigent guard an yieldedt to my wishes.
and l went. But not once during my
month visit did see the haunting face.
l believed then that my persecution was
ended
On nv return to Paris Mr. Weston re-
newed his offer and l accepted him. A
few months of married happiness effect
ually dispersed the cloud that overshad-
owed me.
My mind-warped, weakened, As it
had been by giving way to morbid
fame es gained tone and vigor daily by
associating with my husbands, which
was eminently matter of fact and prac-
teal. 1t was, therefore. without the
slightest forboding of evil that we set
Of for Dashshire to spend the summer
months at Crowsnest. 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 we arrived and there was
not time to alter the arrangement: be-
sides, there seemed no need. for be-
lieved. as have stated, that had out
lived my fears.
Both George and | were tired by our
journey and on retiring to rest we soon
fell fast asleep. Towards morning |
awokc.
A stream OF moonlight flooded the
chamber. AS of old, the shadow of the
pear tree lay along the floor, Pickering
in the night wind. l watched it for
awhile, then-this shadow being close
ly associated in my mind with something
else looked towards the bay window,
and could scarcely suppress a cry.
There, in the Old place, between the
gaslight and the moonlight, appeared =
the face.
GEORGE l whispered, trembling.
wake! feel so frightened"
What is it, Nina? Have you seen
ghost?' he inquired lightly.
Hush! Look there. >
Raising himself upon his elbow he
obeycd.
"Why, there is woman in the
room!" he exclaimed, in the greatest
Then, after pausiDg a
few moments, he continued slowly and
as though reading by a
bad light from book. "No! it is only
an illusion but What an illusion. l
seem to see most distinctly beautiful
woman, her head turned this way, sup
ported by her hand. Her hair-a bright
auburn hangs loose about her shout
ders 1t is a handsome face. but sor-
Stay! what are you about to do?'
asked, as, riS ne, he made a quick
movement forward
Ito dispel the illusion. darling
So saying he shook the curtain vio-
lently.
May all ghostly visitants be As east
ly dispersed! he continued, laughing,
as the figure quivered, swayed. became
then, in a moment, vanished.
But what Was it?''
81 will reproduce it and you shall
see"
He looscd the curtain and it fell to the
ground in the old folds and creases, as
it was before. There. sure enough. she
was again.
land is this what scared you on your
first visit here?' he inquired, turning
20 me suddenly as though new Ii eht
broke on him.
Yes. thought it was the spirit of
my step-mo her. l imagined, the like
ness of course Then, between laugh
er and tears, made full confession of
al my supersti:ious folly.
Next morning we closely interrogated
Mrs. Stevens. She expressed her belief
hat the cedar chamber was haunt d.
md that the communication her mis-
ress had desired to make to me was 70
at effect.
We read of strange results brought
,bou. by the juxtaposition of certain
bodies. Here was an instance,
unique in its way, in which Il heavenly
moon aided by such common
place earthly materials as 4 modern gas
ct and an old faded silk2n curtain. pro-
luced rs perfect specimen of a beauti-
nj female ghost as ever visited our
world - Rr}0r0l.;1 41u,yUI