The National tribune., 1884-10-16

peared very much startled. The ghost had
told me that he would see me some time this
night but did not think he would make his
appearance when l was in the company of Mad
cline If she should see the spirit of her un-
| Gle could not answer for the consequences. l
made no exclamation, but the ghost evidently
saw that was troubled.
Don't be afraid" he said; 81 shall not let
her see me, and she cannot hear me speak un-
| less l address myself TO her. which l do not
| intend to do"
suppose / looked grateful
$50 You need not trouble yourself about
| that" the ghost continued; "but it seems to
me that you are not getting along very well
| with your affair. If ] were you, / should
| speak out without waiting any longer. You
| will never have better chance. You are not
| likely to be interrupted, and, SO far as | can
! Judge the lady seems disposed to listen to you
! favorably-that is, if she ever intends to do
! so. There is no knowing when John Hinck-
| man viii go away again; certainly not this
Summer. If ! were in your place, / should
| never dare to make love to Hinckmans niece
| if he were anywhere about the place. If he
| should catch anyone offering himself to Miss
| Madeline he would be a terrible man to en-
counter"
| agreed perfectly to all this.
"I cannot bear to think of him!" ejacu-
| lated aload.
=
| quickly towards me.
| Here was an awkward situation. The
| long speech of the ghost, to which Madeline
paid no attention, but which l heard with
| perfect distinctness, had made me forget my
| self.
1t was necessary to explain quickly. Of
! course. il would not do to admit that it was OF
her dear uncle that l was speaking. and so l
mentioned hastily the first name that thought
| Of
"Mr. vilars," said.
This statement was entirely correct; for /
never could bear to think of Mr.. Vilars, who
was a gentleman who had, at various times,
| paid much attention to Madeline.
at is wrong for you to speak in that way of
| Mr. Vilars" she said. He is a remarkably
well educated and sensible young man, and has
! very pleasant manners. He expects to be
| elected to the Legislature this Fall, and l
| should not be surprised if he made his mark.
| He will do well in legislative body, for when
ever Mr. Vilars has anything to say he knows
| 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 /
should have disagreeable emotions in regard to
possible rival The concluding words con-
tanned hint which was not slow to under
stand. l felt very sure that if MIR. Filars were
in my present position he would speak quickly
enough.
81 know it is wrong to have such ideas about
person." said, but l cannot help it,"
The lady did not chide NE, and after this
she seemed even in a softer mood. As for me,
/ felt considerably annoyed, for l had not
wished to admit that any thought of Mr.. Filars
had ever occupied my mind
"You should not speak aloud that way"
said the ghost, or you may get yourself into
trouble. l want to see everything go well with
you, because then you may be disposed to help
me, especially if should chance to be of any
assistance to you, which hope l shall be-"
longed to tell him that there was no way
in which he could help me so much as by tax
ing his instant departure. To make love to a
young lady with a ghost sitting on a railing
near by, and that ghost the apparition of a
much dreaded uncle, the very idea of whom in
such position and at such time made me
tremble, was a difficult if not an impossible,
thing to do; but forbore to speak, although
may have looked my mind.
Il suppose" continued the ghost that you
have not heard anything that might be of ad
vantage to me. Of course l 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 l will stay here
until the lady goes away"
You need not wait here" said " l have
nothing at all to say to you"
Madeline sprang to her feet, her face flushed
and her eyes abaze.
"Wait herel" she cried "What do you sup
pose l am waiting for? Nothing to say to me-
indeed Il should think SO! What would you
have to say to me?"
Madeline" l exclaimed, stepping toward
her. "let me explain"
But she had gone.
Here was the end of the world for me! l
turned fiercely to the ghost
"Wretched existence!" 1 cried. "You have
ruined everything. You have blackened my
whole life. Had it not been for you -
But here my voice faltered. could say no
more.
"You wrong me-" said the ghost. az 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
despair. 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 went glOomiiy to bed, but saw appari-
tions that night except those of despair and
misery, which my wretched thoughts called
up. The words / had uttered sounded to Made
line like the basest insult OF course, there
was only one Interpretation she could put upon
them.
AS to explaining my calculations that was
impossible. | thought the matter over and
over again as | lay awake that night, and de-
termined that would never tell Madeline the
facts Of the case. 1t would be better for me to
suffer all my life than for her to 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 to 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, neither too cool nor
too warm; the breezes were gentle, and nature
smiled. But there were no walks or rides with
Madeline. She seemed TO be much engaged
during the day, and / saw but little of her.
When we met at meals she was polite, but very
! quiet and reserved. She had evidently deter
mined on course Of conduct, and had resoiv-
ed to assume that, although | had been very
rude TO her, she did not understand the import
OF my words. 1t would be quite proper, of
| course, for her not TO know what l meant by
my expression of the night before.
| / was downcast and wretched, and said but
! little, and the only bright streak across the
black horizon Of my wo was the fact that she
did not appear to be happy. although she af-
| fected an air of unc0ncern. The moonlit porch
was deserted that evening, but wandering about
! the house found Madeline in the library alone.
| She was reading, but went in and sat down
near ner. / felt that, although / could not do
! SO fully, must in a measure explain my con-
| duct of the night before. She listened quietly
to somewhat labored apology made for the
words had used.
fha