Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1884-01-24
THE CROWSNEST GHOST.
A True Story.

Ii would be almost Impossible to dis
cover any one more entirely devoid OF
superstition than myself. Neverthe-
less, when | was seventeen wears old
an event happened which caused me to
believe mine a haunted life. | was
staying in Paris at the house of nv
guardian, Sir Charles c.. and dress
ing for my first ball--a ball at The En-
glish Embassy. Nv dress. triumph
of Partisan taste, had been fastened,
and | stood before the glass while my
maid arranged the flowers in my hair
A splendid bouquet lay besi.ic my
gloves aud fan upon the loIet-tablc.
"Ah, now mademoiselle is beauti-
full exclaimed my maid Justine. in
French. as she stepped back to survey
her work admiringly
blushcd with pleasure 1t was the
first compliment that had been paid
me, and my glass told me it was true
I" wonder who sent me these flow
ers:'' / said, taking up the bouquet
preparatory to leaving tie room.
- Mademoiselle will doubtless dis
cover her admirer among her partner,
tonight" was the girls reply.
AT this moment there was knock
ut the door. A telegram was handed
10 me-
Mrs. Northcotc is dangerously i'll,
and WISHES to see her step-daughter be-
fore she dies
Startled, dismaycd, but beyond all
measure We Scd at receiving such an I'M
timely message. 1 dropped the paper
upon the floor. - Bring me railway
guide quick said 10 Justine
Mrs. Nor;hcoIe was my step-mother.
but we had never met. My father had
made mesaliiance out in india by tax
ing hal!-caSte for his second wife. and
when he died he left To his widow. for
her life, The family estate of Grows
nest" 10 which he had on'y just sue
ceeded. l found by the railway guide
that If | changed my dress with speed
there was time to catch the last train
that night from Paris. BY noon next
day l should reach Da. h>hire, in which
county CrOwSneSt is stua, ed.
Justine, | cried. eXcltedly, bring
me my travelling dress. You must go
with me tonight TO England -
"Mon dicu, mademoiselle. Would
.sou take on that ravishing dress that
suits you to such marvel? Would YOU
give up he ball --?'
Once more looked 1T my reflection
in the glass. Once more took up the
railway Timetable TO studv its contents.
At nine o clock next morning there was
another train. Meditatively l
III sed the bouquet t, my face. Who
was 1t said: The woman who hesitates
is lost? The sweet perfume of the
flowers permeated my senses. Who
had sent them? Curiosity prevailed. l
would wait till the morrow. go to the
ball. and solve the mystery. sirCharles
and Lady c. were wa ting for nee
when l descended the stairs. | did not
say anything about the telegram; we
entered the carriage and were driven to
the En- bassy.
The ball was brilliant in the extreme,
and completely intoxicated with the
adulat.on | received. LA jolie An
glaise!" The new debutanter' was
on everybody's lips. The night was
half over before even remembered the
avowed object of my deferred departure
for England-nameiy. to discover the
Sender of the flowers
"Of what were YOU thinking so pro-
foundry, Miss Northcote?' asked gem
tleman, in n way that made me start.
The speaker was Mr.. Weston. He had
been introduced to me few DAYS he
fore at my guardians Rouse
81 was think ny If the sender of this
lovely bouquet. and wondering who he
is. Zee, my name. Nina is spelt cut
in white violets, answered. holding
the flowers toward him.
.! hope You were thinking kindly of
the donor?"
Indeed | was
Thank you. Will you always so
think of h.m-of meg
My surprise was too great to frame
an immediate reply. Besides. his
mann, embarrassed me. 1t inferred
so much more than the mere words.
danced with him more frequently than
with any one else, and found a new
and strange attraction in his presence.
On returning from the ball / told nv
kind host and hostess of the telegram,
and of my determination tc start for
England on the morrow.
Lady c. looked grave when she
read the message
You might have saved few hours
dear, - she said.
Only very few. And tsen should
have missed the most delightful expert
ence Of all my life"' I answered, fer
vently.
but it was case of life and death,
my child. she added, gently. And 1
lett she had given me a reproof.
NY trunks We're soon packed by JUS
tine, who accompanied me to England.
Sir Charles c.. as my legal guardi-
en-. also ;psisfed on ooin1 with -. Ga