The Republican journal., 1885-05-21

| Tue SnOSU not QOZen IeeC away from us.
He was sitting on railing Of the porch,
one leg thrown up before him, the other
dangling down as he leaned against a
post. He was behind Madeline, but al
most in front of me, as | sat facing the
lady. 1t was fortunate that Madeline
was looking out over the landscape, for |
must have appeared very much startled.
The ghost had told me that he would see
me some time this night, but | did not
think h. would make his appearance
when | was in the company of Madeline.
If she should see the spirit of her uncle
could not answer for the consequences.
| made no exclamation, but the ghost
evidently saw that | was troubled.
Don't be afraid he said ; Il shall not
let her see me, and she cannot hear me
speak unless | address myself to her,
which do not intend to do
suppose looked grateful.
SO yon need not trouble yourself about
that the ghost continued, but it seems
to me that you are not getting along
very we'll with your affair. If | were
you, should speak out without waiting
any longer. You are not likely to be
| interrupted, and, so far as | can Judge,
the lady seems disposed to listen to you
| tavOrablv-that is if she ever intends to
do 50. There is DO knowing when John
llnckman will go away again certainly
not this summer. If were in your
place | should never dare to make love
to Hinckman's niece if he were anywhere
about the place. If he should catch
anyone offering himself to Miss Madeline,
he would be a terrible man to encounter
| agreed perfectly to all this.
| Il cannot bear to think of him.. | eiac-
ulated aloud.
Think of whom 2 asked Madeline,
turning quickly towards me.
Here was an awkward situation The
long speech of the ghost to which
Madeline paid no attention, but which
heard with perfect distinctness, had
made me forget myself
1t was necessary to explain quickly.
OF course it would not do to admit that
! it was of her dear uncle that | was
| speaking, and so | mentioned hastily the
first name that | thought OF.
'AIr Nilars', | said.
| This statement was entirely correct !;
| for | never could bear to think of Mr..
| Nilars, who was gentleman who had at
various times, paid much attention to
| Madeline.
1T is wrong for you to speak in that
way of Mr.. Nilars', she said He is a
remarkably well educated and sensible
young man, and has very pleasant man
ners. He expects to be elected to the
legislature this fail, ana should not be
surprised if he made his mark. He will
do well in legislative body for when
ever Mr.. Nilars has anything to say he
knows Just how and when to say it,
This was spoken very quietly, and
without any show of resentment, which
was all very natural, for if Madeline
thought at all favorably Of me she could
not feel displeased that | should have
disagreeable emotions in regard to a
possible rival. The concluding words
contained ID hiut which was not slow
to understand. felt very sure that if
Mr.. Nilars were in my present position
he would speak quickly enough.
i know it is wrong to have such ideas
about a person. | said, 'but | cannot
help it,
The lady did not chide me, and after
this she seemed even in softer mood.
AS for me, | felt considerably annoyed,
for had not wished to admit that any
thought of Mr.. Nilars had ever occupied
my mind.
You should not speak aloud that way
said the ghost, or you may get yourself
into trouble. ! want to see everything
60 well with you, because then you may
be disposed to help me, especially if |
should chance to be of any assistance to
you, which nope | shall be-.
| longed to tell him that there was no
way i'll which he could help me so much
as 10y taking his instant departure. TO
make love to a young lady with ghost
sitting on a railing near by, and that
ghost the apparition Of a much dreaded
uncle, the very idea of whom in such
position and at such a time made me
trembe, was difficult, if not an I'M
possible thing to do but | forbore to
speak, although | may have looked my
mind.
Il suppose continued the ghost, that
you have not heard anything that might
be OF advantage to me. OF course, | am
very anxious to hear; but if you have
anything to tell me can wait until YOU
are alone. | will come to you to night
in your room, or | will stay here until
the lady goes away.
You need not stay here | said Il
have nothing at all to say to YOU
Madeline sprang to her feet; her face
flushed and her eyes abaze.
Wait here she cried What do you
suppose | am waiting for? Nothing to
say to me, indeed Il should think so
What would you have to say to me?
'Madeline,' | exclaimed, stepping
towards her, 'let me explain
But she had gone.
Here was the end Of the world for me-
turned tierceIy to the ghost.
'Wretched existence = | cried. You
have ruined everything. You have
blackened my whole life. Had it not
been for you--'
But here my voice faltered could
say no more.
You wrong me- said the ghost Il
have not injured You. have tried only
to encourage and assist You, and it is
your own folly that you have done this
mischief. But do not despair. Such
mistakes as these can be explained.
Keep up a brave heart. Good bye
And he vanished from the railing like
a bursting soap bubble
went gloomily to bed, but saw no
apparitions that night except those of
despair and misery, which my wretched
thoughts called up. The words had
uttered sounded to Madeline like the
basest insult Of course, there was only
one Interpretation she could put upon
them.
As to explaining my calculations, that
was impossible. thought the matter
over and over again as lay awake that
night, and | determined that would
never tell Madeline the facts of the case.
1t would be better for me to suffer all my
life than for her to know that the ghost
OF her uncle haunted the house. Mr..
Hinckman was away, and if she knew of
his ghost she could not be made to be-
lieve that he was not dead. She might
not survive the shock. No, my heart
could bleed, but | would never tell her.
The next day was fine, neither too cold
or too warm the breezes were gentle,
and nature smiled. But there were no
walks or rides with Madeline. She SEEM
ed to be much engaged during the day,
and saw but little of her. Wnen we
met at meals she was polite, but very
quiet and reserved. She had evidently
determined on a course of conduct, and