Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-02-14
THE CROWSNRST GHOST.

cover any one more devoid of superstition
than myself. Nevertheless, when | was
Il years old an event happened which
caused me to believe mine a haunted life
/ was staying in Paris at the house of my
guardian, Sir Charles c., and dressing
for my first ball-a ball of the English en-
bassy. Ny dress, triumph of Partisan
taste, had been fastened, and l stood before
the glass while my maid arranged the
flowers in my hair. A splendid bouquet
lay beside my gloves and fan upon the
toilet table.
"Ah, now, mademoiselle is beautiful p
exclaimed my maid Justine, in French, as
she stepped back to survey her work adj
miringiy.
a wonder who sent me these flowers p
| said, taking up the bouquet preparatory
to leaving the room.
Mademoiselle will doubtless discover
her admirer among the partners tonight,
was the girls reply.
At this moment there was knock at
the door A telegram was handed to me.
Mrs. Northcote is dangerously i'll and wishes
TO zee her step-daughter before she dies.
Startled, dismayed, but beyond ali meas
ure vexed at receiving such an untimely
message, dropped the paper upon the
floor.
Bring me a railway guide-quick,' !
said to Justine.
Mrs Northcote was nv stepmother, but
, II 10
mesalliance out in India, by taking half
caste for his second wife, and when he
died he left to his widow for her life the
estate of Crowsnest," to which he had
only Just succeeded. | found by the rail
way guide that if changed my dress with
speed there was time to catch the last
train that night from Paris. BY noon
next day should reach Dashire, in which
county Crowsnest is situated.
Justine" cried, excitedly, bring me
my travelling dress You must go with me
tonight to England"
Mon dieu, mademoiselle Would you
take off that rayishing dress that suits You
to such marvel? Would you give up the
ball"
Once more I looked at my reflection in
the glass. Once more ! took up the rail
way timetable 10 study It's contents. AT
o'clock next morning there was another
train. < < Mcditatiyely | raised the
bouquet to my face Who was it said
{" The woman who hesitates is lost ?" The
sweet perfume of the flowers permeated my
senses. Who had sent them? Curiosity
prevailed. | would wait till the morrow,
20 to the bali and solve the mystery Sir
nae when descended the stairs did not
say anything about the telegram; we ell
tered the carriage, and were driven to the
Embassy.
The ball was brilliant to the extreme ]
was completely intoxicated with the adu-
lation ] received ola Jolie Anglaise ~
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-namely,
90 discover the sender Of the flowers.
"Of what were you thinking so pro-
foundlv, Miss Northcote?" asked a gentle
man in way that made me start. The
speaker was Mr.. Weston. He had been
introduced to me few days before at my
guardians house.
| was thinking Of the sender of this
lovely bouquet, and wondering who he is.
See, nay name Nina, is spelled out in
white yiolets," ! answered, holding the
flowers toward him.
Il hope YOU were thinking kindly of the
donor"
Indeed ] was
" Thank you. viii you always so think
Of hin-of me-"
Ny surprise was too great TO frame an
immediate reply Besides, his manner
embarrassed me It inferred 50 much more
than the mere words. | danced with him
more frequently than with any one else,
and found new and strange attraction in
his presence. On returning from the ball
| told my kind host and hostess Of the tel
cgram, and of my determination to start
for England on the morrow.
Lady c. looked grave when she read
the message.
You might have saved It few hours
dear" she said.
Only very few, and then I should
have missed the most delightful experience
Of all my life / answered fervently.
But it was a case of life and death, my
child" she added gently and | felt she had
given me 4 reproof.
My trunks were soon packed by Justine,
who accompanied me to England. Sir
Charles c., as my legal guardian, also
insisted on going with me, and late on the
following night we were driven through
the moonleSs darkness Of country roads TO
Crowsnest. A stately housekeeper met us
in the hail
Miss Northcote, You come too late,
she said, aud there was more aUsterity
than sadness in her tone NV dear mis-
tress died three hours ago. If you had left
Paris last night you would have been here
IN time. Ny lady had communication
she desired to make to you"
What was it?' | asked in much dis
tress.
That no one will ever know in this
world, was the answer. And | felt from
that moment as though Mrs. Stevens was
my enemy.
Sir Charles c. remained at Crows
nest until after the funeral Then in vain
lie urged me to return with him 10 Paris.
! was bent on remaining a few weeks
longer In the quaint old-flshioned house,
which now to all intentS and purposes was
mine. With the exception of one bed
room in IT, description of Crowsnest Is
not necessary to the development of my
tale, but to describe that is imperative.
This room had taken my fancy from the
first 1t was long and large and low; the
walls paneled with cedar wood. On the
panels hung framed tapestry pictures, the
work of past generations of Northeotes.
The ceilings Of cedar wood, with curiously
carved rafters, made the walls look even
lower than they were. A time-mellowed
square Of Indian carpet covered the center
of the cedar floor, on which stood the bed
of the same wood and richly carved
raised ON 4 dais. There were two win
dows that nearest the bed hay with dia-
mond panes, the hangings similar to those
Of the bed, of old-tashioned rich brocade
with faded pink satin Innings. On the
side of the bay window nearest the bed was
fixed modern gas bracket, which struck
-