The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-02-27

| icsuHicu. DcioTe L Hdu Detn IWC
months at Crowsnest all my vaunted
courage fled ; my entire nature un-
derwent change. Though l spoke
of what / had seen to no one, | was,
nevertheless, sensitively conscious
that Mrs. Stevens remarked some
thing amiss with me. | was even
morbidly fearful that she had sus-
picion of the cause. | was convinc-
ed 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
Ill you look. Do you not find the
cedar chamber comfortable ?"
Perfectly comfortable, delightful
| would not change it for the world, .
| replied, evasively.
Comfortable" and with that
haunting presence? Heaven forgive
me for the subterfugel As for JUS
tine, she was continually urging me
to quit, what she termed, zee 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 impossi-
bic to be blind to his feelings, his in
tentions. Every word and look told
me that he loved me, and the day
came when ne asked me to be his
wife. To his eyidont surprise, and
to my own inexpressible sorrow, |
refused to marry him. Could |
join my life-a haunted life-to that
Of the man | loved with all my
soul? True, / had had no visitation
from this beautiful, reproachful face
since | left Crowsnest but might it
not return at any time, at any hour =?
Oh, why had my fathers wife east
this blight upon my life? Why did
she haunt me? Was it such a helm
Gus 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 APP
partition that had exercised SO sub
tie an influence on my life. With
the persistent waywardness of a
spoilt child | insisted on going to
Crowsnest. | insisted also that no
one but Justine should accompany
NE. Ny indulgent guardian yielded
to my wishes. and went. But not
once during nav months visit did |
see the haunting face. | believed
then that my persecution was end
cd.
On nv return to Paris Mr.. Weston
renewed his offer and | accepted
him. A few months of married hap
piness effeetually dispersed the cloud
that overshadowed me.
Nv mind-warped, weakened, as
it had been by giving way to morbid
fancies gained tone and vigor daily
by associating with my husbands,
which was eminently 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 Crows
nest. George was much pleased
with the old house above all with
the cedar chamber, which | found
without any order to that effect
had been prepared for US. 1t was
late at night when we arrived and
there was no time to alter the ar
rangement, beside, there seemed no
need, for | believe, 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. Toward
morning | awoke.
A stream Of moonlight flooded
the chamber As of old, the shadow
of the pear tree lay along the floor
fiickering in the night wind. |
watched it for awhile, then-this
shadow being closely associated in
my mind with something else-I
looked toward the bay window, and
could scarcely suppress cry. There,
in the old place, between the gas
light and the moonlight, appeared
the face
George" whispered, trembling,
wake. | feel so frightened"
What is it, Nina? Have you
seen a ghost p he inquired, lightly.
"Hush Look there.
Raising himself upon his elbow
he obeyed.
"Why, there is a woman in the
room !" he exclaimed, in the great
est CONSERVATION. Then, after paus-
ing few momeuts, he continued
slowly and deliberately, as though
reading by bad light from a book.
Mo- it is only an illusion-but
what an illusion | seem to see
most distinctly a beautiful woman,
her head turned this way, supported
by her hand. Her haiy, a bright
auburn, hangs loose about her
1t is q handsome face,
but sorrowful."
STAY What are you about to
do?n | asked, as. rising, he made a
quick movement forward.
ITO dispel the illusion, darling,
So saving he shook the curtain
violently.
MAY all ghostly visitations be as
easily dispersed !" he continued.
as the figure quivsred,
swayed. became distorted. then, in a
moment, vanished.
II will reproduce it and you shall
see."
He loosened the curtain and it
fell to the ground in the old folds |
and creases, as it was before. There,
sure enough, she was again.
And is this what scared you on 1
your first visit here?' he inquired, /
turning to me suddenly as though /
new light broke on him.
Yes: / thought it was the spirit /
Of my step-nother. l imagined the I
likeness of course" Then between /
laughter and tears l made a full |
of all my superstitious /