The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-02-27

visitation came; after that for two or three
weeks the visits ceased then once more
were resumed. Before L had been two
months at Crowsnest all my vaunted
courage fed; my entire nature under
went a change. Though / spoke of what
l had seen to no one, was, nevertheless,
sensitively conscious that Mrs Stevens
remarked something amiss with me. |
was even morbibly fearful that she had
suspicion of the cause. was convinced
of this one morning when she said-not
by any means unkindly:
Justine tells me you have not been
sleeping WELL Miss Northcote. Indeed,
/ am concerned to see how i'll you look.
Do you not find the cedar chamber com
fortable2"
Perfectly comfortable, delightful
would not change it for the world, " re.
piled, evasively.
Comfortable, and with that haunt
ing presence2 Heaven forgive me for the
subterfuge! As to Justine, she was con-
t.nually urging me to quit, what she
termed, Gee villain pays" attributing my
depression to the climate, to the dull life
/ led, to anything rather than to the true
cause. But at length her persistency,
added to beseeching letters from my
guardian, prevailed, and returned to
Paris.
There renewed nay acquaintance with
Mr.. Weston. 1t was impossible to be
blind to his feelings, bis intentions.
Every word and look told me that he
loved me, and the dav came when he
asked me to be his wife. To his evident
surprise, and to my own inexpressible sor-
row, l refused to marry him. Could l
join my life-a haunted life-to that of
the man loved with all my soul2 True,
had had no visitation from this beauti-
full, reproachful face since / left Crows
nest; but might it not return at any time
at any hour2 Oh, why had my fathers
wife cast this blight upon my lifel Why
did she haunt met Was it such heinous
crime not TO have gone in time to see her
die2
Suddenly became possessed with 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 waywardness of
spoilt child | insisted on going to
Crowsnest. l insisted also that no one
but Justine should accompany me. My
indulgent guardian yielded to my wishes,
and went. But not once during my
months visit did l see the haunting face.
believed then that my persecution was
ended.
On my return to Paris Mr.. Weston re-
newed his offer and l accepted him. A
few months of married happiness eff
fectually dispersed the cloud that had
overshadowed me.
My mind-warped, weakened, as it
had been by giving way to morbid fan
cies-gained tone and vigor daily by as
sociating with my husbands, which was
cminently matter of fact and practical.
1t was, therefore, without the slightest
foreboding of evil that we set off for
Dashshire to spend the summer months at
Crowsnest. George was much pleased
with the old house; above all with the
cedar chamber, which l found-without
any orders to that etfect-had been pre-
pared for us. 1t was late at night when
we arrived and there was not time to
altar the arrangement; beside, there
seemed no need, for ! believed, as have
stated, that l had outlived my fears.
Both George and l were tired by our
journey and on retiring to rest we soon
fell fast asleep. Toward morning 1
awoke
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. watched it for awhile,
thep-this shadow being closely associ-
ated in my mind with something else-I
looked toward 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,
"wakel feel SO frightened"
"What is it, Ninal Have you seen a
ghost!n he inquired, lightly.
"Hushl Look there.
Raising himself upon his elbow he
obeyed
"Why, there is woman in the room ~
he exclaimed, in the greatest consterna-
tion. Then, after pausing few mo-
ments, he continued slowly and deliber-
ately, as though reading by bad light
from book "Nol it is only an illu-
sion-but what an illusion! seem to
see most distinctly beautiful woman,
her head turned this way, supported by
her hand. Her hair, bright auburn
hangs loose about her shoulders. 1t is a
handsome face, but sorrowful-"
"Stay! what are you about to do?" ]
asked, as, rising, he made a quick move
ment forward.
"To dispel the illusion, darling"
So saying he shook the curtain vic.
lently.
MAY all ghostly visltants be as easily
dispersedw he continued, laughing, as
the figure quivered, swayed, became dis
torted, then, in moment, vanished.
II will reproduce it and you shall
see."
He loosed the curtain and it fell to the
ground in the old folds and creases, as il
was before. There, sure enough, she was
again.
"And is this what scared you on YOU