The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-08-22
crime not to have. gone in time to see

her die?
Suddenly | became possessed with a
strange longing TO revisit Crowsnest,
to see again the weird apparition that
had exercised 80 subtle au influence on
my life. With the persistent way
wardness of spoilt child | insisted on
going to Crowsnest. / insisted 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 see
the haunting face. believe then that
my persecution was ended.
On my return TO Paris Mr.. Weston
renewed his offer and l accepted him.
A few months of my marriage happi-
ness effectually dispersed the cloud that
had oversbadowed me.
My mind--warped, weakened, as it
had been by giving away to morbid
fancies-gained tone and vigor daily
by associating with my husbands s
which was emiuently matter of fact
and practical. 1t was, therefore, with
out the slightest foreboding of evil that
we set off for Dashre to spend the
summer months at Crowsnest. George
was much pleased with the old house
above all with the cedar chamber,
which | tound-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 ar
rangements; besides, there seemed no
need, for | believed, as have stated,
that had outlived my fears.
Both George and were tired by
our journey, and on retiring to rest we
soon fell fast asleep. Towards morn.
ing awoke.
A stream of moonlight flooded the
chamber. AS of old, the shadow OF
the pear tree lay along the floor, flick.
ering in the night wind. l watched i,
for awhile, then--this shadow being
closely associated in my mind with
something else--I looked toward the
bay window, and scarcely could sup.
press cry. There, in the old place
between the gaslight and the moon.
light, appeared-the face!
George" I whispered, trembling
"wake! feel so frightened
"What is it, Nina7 Have you seen
a ghost % he inquired lightly.
"Hush Look there"
Raising himself upon his elbow, he
obeyed.
"Why, there is woman in the
room !" he exclaimed, in the greatest
CONSERVATION. Then, after pausing g
few moments, he continued slowly anG
deliberately, as though reading by s
bad light from book, mo; it is on
ly an illusion! seem TO see most dis
tinctly beautiful woman, her head
turned this way, supported by hel
hand. Her hair--a bright auburn
hangs loose about her shoulders. 1t il
a handsome face, but sorrowful--"
"Stay! What are you about to do 2
l asked, as, rising, he made quicl
movement forward.
"To dispel the illusion, darling"
So saying, he shook the curtain VIC
lently.
"May all ghostly visitants be as easi
| ly dispersed y he continued, laughing
as the figure quivered, swayed, became
distorted, then, in a moment, vanished
"But what was it y
| Il will reproduce it, and you shal
see."
He loosed the curtain, and it fell t
the ground in the old folds and creasel
as it was before. There, sure enough
she was again.
Sand is this what scared you OIL
your first visit here ?" he inquired
turning to me suddenly, as though
new light broke on him.
"Yes. thought it was the spiri
of my stepmother, imagined tn,
likeness, of course" Then betweei
laughter and tears, made full confes
sion of all my superstitious folly.
| Next morning we closely interroga
Mrs. Stevens. She expressed her be
lief that the cedar chamber was haunt
ed, and that the communication he
mistress had desired to make to IN,
was to that effect.
| We read of strange results brough
about by the juxtaposition of certain
heavenly bodies. Here was an in
stance, unique in its way, in which {
heavenly body-the moon-aided b,
such commonplace earthly materials a
a modern gas jet and an old faded sill
curtain, produced as perfect specimen
of beautiful female ghost as ever Wis
tied our world