The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-03-17
A PHANTOM BRIDE.
BY the Author Of "TnE Ice CAR
NINALN

NIvAL."
And so you were the means second
time. little Grcta, of-Saying a rather
I worthless life said the young man
/ slowly, soliloquising surely rather than
addressing the child, still ON her knees
before him.
AYE. what ave been an DOOM"
she asked deprecatngly, a sudden fear
dawning in her eyes rs she gaZed mp
| open-mOuthed. Yer wur very good g
me afoor."
You've returned loaf for crumb,
child, )" Dick answered. vaguely follow
ing out aloud the tenor of his own
thoughts. verify IL seemeth, even in
these degenerate DAYS, Cast thy bread
upon the waters and 1t shall find thee
vastly improved in quality, too-'be.
fore many days.
"Yer-yer no anger'd wi me, ehp"
questioned Greta timidly, breaking the
pause which had ensued, and stretch
ing her small hand forth until IL rested
beseechingly ON the young mans knee.
"Say yer no fash ii wi meyn
Angry with you for having saved
my life, GretaY Nay, hardly answered
Dick. rs he laid his own warm hand up
on the girls, and clasped that small
half-frozen member tightly. "Why,
but for you. little one, it is more than
probable | should be sleeping now some
feet deep beneath coverlct of frozen
snow, not far from the Durham cross
roads. in which case you-llolloal'
and with this last ejaculation Dick
started hastily to his feet. for the door
was suddenly thrown open. and from
the lighted hall beyond Sir Jasper's
tall spare figure doomed darkly, advanc-
ing into the shadow of the dim fre-lit
library.
"Why, boy. in darkness stillY Ring
for Charles and lights; YOU have surely
been asleep. And" Then he paused.
his eye for the first time resting on the
singular little figure still crouching on
the hearth. "Dick-who-what have
you therey'
"Greta, Sir .Iasper--Greta herself
none otherl The Barnes Common
Ghost, the Cross Roads Wrath, the
child whose eXertions twice within
fOur-aud-twenty hours saved life
which will strive TO grow nOblcr in or
der to prove itself not altogether UNI
worthy of such devotion us this little
one has shown. Look ut her, Sir JAS
per, and then listen to a detailed and
circumstantial account of most as
founded facts!n
But the baronet had suddenly covered
his face with both his hands and sink
ing heavily into the nearest chair, sob
bed aloud--proud strong man though
lie was--like broken-hearted child
The shock had been too sudden, and
ALIAS! too terrible. CHANGING towards
the hcarthrug his eye lighted upon
luddlcd, ragged, nondescript heap, and
this-this he was briefly told was none
other than Greta'S child, in whose veins
ran some drops of that blue Norman
blood which his ancestors throughout
long centuries had kept pure and unde-
filed, his own flesh and blood, fair
haired Saxon Marguerite's innocent
bapless grandchild.
An, IL was terrible-terrible TO con-
templatel Small wonder the baronet
sought to shut out from his sight this
unconscious blameless Nemesis, who
had thus suddenly arisen, as it were, to
confront him in mortal guise, the living
presentment of the half-forgotten fol-
lies of his youth, the sins of his man
hood, the crime and memorable cruelty
Ct his declining years.
Tor some long moments Sir Jasper
vainly strove to master his emotion;
the bitter fearless sobs seemed as
though they would Tend his iron frame;
the spectacle was agonizing. Dick
never recalled it without a shudder
throughout the long lifetime yet
ahead.
Yet with ready sympathy he compre-
hended vaguely something of the tu-
mutt just then raging within the 9TH
er's soul; and the young man crept
-nearer-through the deepening
twilight shadows, until at length he
ventured to place his hand lightly upon
the old mans forehead.
Regrets for the past are unavailing
low, sir, he murmured, in low voice
infinitely tender; sooner rejoice that
time for atonement has been merciful-
ly granted you. Peace upon earth,
goodwill towards menu he added in a
whisper. surely an suspicious mo-
ment this to close for ever the book of
the past, and to begin-strong in hope
and brave resolve-a more satisfactory
vOlumeln
Just at that moment the distant
chime of the village bells, summoning
happy rustics to even-sOng, was dis
tinctly audible throughout the silence
of the dark and gloomy room. 1t
seemed as though silvery chorus from
afar was raised to echo Dicks hopeful
words.
Peace on earth, goodwill towards
men! towards men, towards m-enl
men, m-enln