Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-02-29

strange longing to revisit Crowsnest. TO
sec again the weird apparition that had
exercised so subtle an influence on nv
life. With the persistent waywardncss Of
II spollt child [ insisted on going TO
Crowsncst. ] insisted also that no one
but Justine should accompany me. My
indulgent guardian yielded to my wishes,
and | went But not once during my
month visit did | see the haunting face.
l believed then that my persecution was
ended
On my return to Paris Mr.. Weston re-
newed his offer and / accepted him. A
few months of married happiness elfectu-
ally dispersed the cloud that had over
Swallowed me.
My mind-warped, weakened, Ms it had
been by giving way to morbid facies-
gained tone and vigor daily by associu-
ting with my husbands, which was emil
nently matter of fact aud practical. 1t
was, therefore, without the slightest fore
boiling of evil that we set off for Dash
shire to spend the summer months at
Crowsnest. George was much pleased
with the old house above oil with the
cedar chamber, which [ f0uud-without
any orders to that cflect-had been pre-
| pnrcd for us 1t was late at night when
we arrived and there was not time to alter
the arrangements besides, there seemed
| no need, for | believed, rs | have stated,
that had outlivcd my fears.
Both George and J wero 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, Pickering in
| the night wind. ! watched it for a while,
| then-this shadow being closely nssocin-
ted in my mind with something else
| looked toward the bay window, and could
scarcely suppress Il cry. There, III the
old place, between the gaslight and the
moonlight, appeared the face
George [ whispered, trembling,
wake ] feel so frightened"
"What is it, Nina? Have you seen n
ghost p he inquired lightly.
Hush Look there. "
Rising himself upon his elbow he
obeyed.
"Why, there's woman in the room +"
lie exclaimed in the greatest consterna-
ton. Then, after pausing a few moments,
he continued slowly and deliberately, as
though reading by bad light from II
book. "No ! it is only an illusion--but
what nh illusion ! L seem to see most
distinctly IL beautiful woman, her he nd
turned this way, supported by her hand
Her hair--a bright auburu--hangs loose
about her shoulders. 1t is a handsome
face, but surrowful-"
"Stay what are you about to do ?" l
asked, rs, rising, he made quick move
ment forward,
'To dispel the illusion, darling"
So saying be shook the curtain violent
| ly.
May all ghostly visitants be as easily
dispersed = he continued, laughing, as
the figure quivered, swayed, became dis
| torted, then, IN moment, vanished.
But what t0as it p
Il will reproduce it and You shall see. So
He-loused the curtain and it fell to the
ground in the old folds and creascs as it
was before. There, sure enough, She WIS
again.
And is this what scared You on your
first visit here p lie inquired, turning to-
me suddenly us though new light broke
on him.
"Yes. l thought it was the spirit Of
my stepmother. | imagined the likeness.
of course" Them between laughter ana
tears, | made full confession of al! my
snperstitious folly.
Next morning we closely interrogated
Mrs. Stevens. She expressed her belief
that the cedar chamber was haunted, and
that the communication her mistress had
desired TO make me was to that effect.
We read of strange results brought
about by the iuxtaposition of certain
heavenly bodies. Here was an instance,
unique IN its way, in which a heavenly
body--the moon--aided by such common
ri"eo S"Athi, i!"teli'ls us modern gas
jet and an old faded silken curtain. nro
duced as perfect a specimen of beauti.
inl female ghost rs ever visited our
world.