The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-08

across the cross, and hiding the inscrlp-
ton from a casual glance, chung a wild
rose. which also covered the mound of
the grave itself. Close behind it, form
ing a background of darkness, grew a
yew tree, whose dense foliage seemed
| to fall round the cross like curtain,
and throw it into holder relief But
what caught the eye first was none of
these thingS-though have mentioned
them first-but face that looked at YOU
from over one of the arms of the cross.
The face | have just attempted to de-
scribe. The body must have been hid
den by the cross and creepers. The face
alone was visible. and in the deep shade
thrown by the tree the effect was start
ling and ghostly in the extreme.
'.Why, [ said. what a grisly sort of
place for lady to choose for sitting"'
Or was it really spirit, for which your
instantaneous process was a bit too
quick?'
There 5 nothing 'grisly' in woman 5
grave. replied Barry, little stiffiy.
"but," he added, more in his usual
tone, THAT was an occidental portrait
at least, suppose Host people would
call it so-though am inclined to be-
leve in special providences.
..Ah, yes l said, lust so-a sort of
sweet little cherub' to keep watch over
poor amateur photographers and bring
beautiful young ladies into the focus OF
their camerasi'
NO. but seriously, think the story
of that picture would interest you, and
| intended telling it to YOU in any case.
Shall | have time before" Cooking at
the little clock on the mantelshelf.)
20, yes. plenty, think
Il am all attention" | said: .'but one
question first. Is there anything super
natural about it? Is this face that OF
4 denizen of churchyardS or of drawing
rooms?'
wait and hear" he said, and keep
inc the picture on my knee | settled
down in my chair, and my friend began:
about two Years ago | was taking
an intense interest in Saxon churches,
about which my friend Norton (yOu
know him) was intending to bring out
a book-an edition de Iurc, with pho
Geographic illustrations. | had nothing
particular to do, and he gave me a list
of churches he wanted taken in the
Midlands. and so / devoted one June 10
the pleasant task.
II had been pretty busy knocking
about in Worcestershire for a fortnight
when | saw that the next job on my list
was porch and two windows Of the
church of Bringley. quite a small town
il the next county. Consulting the
train arrangements | found | should
have to spend at least five hours at the
4 place. though nay work there would not
take much more than half an hour, and
my next hating place was sixty miles
of. However, | thought it would not
do to miss it. rs the name was marked
on nv list with star, which meant inn
portant, and the next morning | packed
my traps and left by the first train. 1t
did not take me long to finish the porch
and windows. the only piece Of Saxon
work that had escaped the destructive
! hands of time and the Restoration So
! cicty." Then | had nothing to do for
three or four hours; so | cast about for
anv picturesque graves that might be
worth amusing ones self with. The
graves in Bringley are singularly unin-
teresting, and | was inst about shaking
the dust of my feet when. right in the
corner of the churchyard. and quite by
| itself. | saw the cross and beautiful ce-
dar that make up that picture. walked
over and arranged my camera, put on
one of the dry plates, and finished the
whole business in three minutes.
But what about the young lady-or
young spirit?' struck in. Didn't it
take more than three minutes TO ar
range that piece OF grouping?'
We'll. wait 4 minute, " was the ans
wer given. rather impatiently.
The whole story centerS round that
same Young spirit. The mystery had
ONLY Just begun. When | took the
photo | saw no face near the grave and
heard no sound, and believed most
firmly that | was the only human being
(above ground) in the place. Suisse
quent Investigations strengthened this
idea up to the point of certainty, rs You
will hear. OF course YOU know that
the new process is much simpler and
less troublesome than the old. The I'M
preston is taken literally instantly. and
then there is no more bother until YOU
develop the plate, which may be days
afterward. or even weeks if You like.
am extremely sorry to have to bother
You with all these technical details, but
in this case they are necessary
Oh! don't mention it, l said. 81
always did love amateur photography. "
Yes. know - he went on. ''All
the plates | was doing for Norman S
book | developed as soon rs possible,
but those l took for my own amusement
| let bide until had spare time on my
hands. OF course that picture was one
of them, and l did not touch it until |
again got back to my studio at Ham
stead. Now. please to get yourself into
proper state of mind, or You won
appreciate what | am going to tell you.
That YOU will hardly do in any case,
though, as You have only seen the pic
ture as it is now. | had, or believed ]
had. photographed it as it is now.
Judge then, if YOU can, of my over
whelming wonderment, my immense
surprise. when | developed the plate, to
find that face, which think YOU have
been good enough to admire, looking at
me from over the cross"
The most natural explanation" !
began.
Yes" he interrupted. Il know all
about that. You are a philosopher, l am
only an artist, and my first feeling was
not a demand for eXplanation-natural
otherwiSe-but one OF simple admiration.
Ridiculous as it may seem to you. great
traveller and physicist, Ito put the
matter shortly-fell in love with my Ia
1v OF rs tcmbS there and then, and
held the picture in my hands in a rap
ture. for | don't know how long. before