The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-09-10


whole thing q mere flirtation; he had
enjoyed her society very much, espec-
tally the kisses and caresses she had
bestowed upon him; he was to marry
wealthy and accomplished young la
dy of New York during the coming
winter. and hoped she would find a
suitable life companion among the ru-
raj beaus of the country.
That letter broke her heart. She
burned beneath it as some tender
plant wits beneath the too fierce rays
OF a midday sun. Her parents guard
Ell her with tender care, but to no
avail. To their entreaties to arouse
from her deep despair and forget her
false and treacherous lover she replied
only with a mournful smile.
THE young gentlemen-her former
suitors-were furious at her treatment
and vowed vengeance on the scoundrel
who had so tritled with her pure alfec-
tions. Woe betide the lieutenant had
he ever returned to the scene of his
dallying. He would have been torn
limb from limb.
''As time progressed her mind SEEM
ed to give way, and often in the tender
twilight she would steal away from her
family and betake her to that little
grove you see there to the right. This
had been their favOrite trysting-place,
and through this she had been seen to
walk swiftly, wringing her hands and
utterlng low, moaning sounds, like a
wounded dove. One bright, beautiful
morning IN early November she seemed
to become entirely rational, aud order
ed one of the negroes to saddle her
horse, as she desired to visit one of the
neighbors. Her brother asked her if
she did not want some one to accom-
pany her, but she declined the offer
and rode away. Her horse came home
at noon, riderlesS, iiccked with foam
and trembling with terror. a search
ing party was at once organized and
started out, the agonized father lead
inc it, while some of the kindly wo-
men tried to comfort the frantic moth
Ell. About five miles from home they
found her under a tall oak tree, prone
upon the ground, her body cruelty
crushed, her golden hair dabbled with
blood, her sweet blue eyes fast taking
on the gray shadows of death. Ten
derl Y her father gathered her in his
arms. Her mind was entirely restor-
ed. ''Do you know me, darling?" he
said, while the others gathered around.
Yes, dear papa" she replied; e m
happy now; am going up there, ]"
pointing to the sky, aud then in a low,
plaintive, scarce audible voice she
sang:
There's nae sorrow there Jean,
There's
Tho day is aye fair
In the land o thc lea
Then in broken accents she told
them how her bride had broken. her
horse run away, and how she was
thrown against the tree whose sturdy
trunk was made sacred By her blood.
'Ienderl y her pure young body was
born back to the house of mourning
and buried under the great trees she
loved so we'll. They say that her ghost
haunts these parts, and that often on
moonlight nights parties have seen her
slender figure clothed in spotless white
passing swiftly through the grove
moaning and wringing its hands. l
have never seen it myself, for | have
no partiality for spirits. Is there any
wine left in that bottle?'
There was mist in my eyes-it
might have been the cigar smoke, as |
replied kindly but firmly: mo. doc
tor. there is not, and it is now 1880. !"
The doctor retired to his own room.
lit another cigar and took seat by
the open window. [ could not sleep;
restless and moved out of my usual
cynicism by the doctors story, [ iuvol-
unfairly glanced toward the grove.
Surely something was moving there.
There was a CLEAN of white through
the svaying vista of the trees. My
heart almost stood still. Could it be
possible that departed spirits were al
lowed at such uucanny hours to revisit
the scene of their SORROWS and distress?
At any rate would investigate Has
tily throwing on my clothes | stole
down the steps and out of the door.
1t was a beautiful night. The air
was soft with the languor and glory of
summer. The beautiful river ripplcd
along, the moonlight sleeping on its
bosom like babe upon its mother S
breast. A soft breeze family stirred
the trees, but our bird or insect life
was still. Through the grove the
ghastly shadow was still fitting. Soft
ly creeping near, L entered its somber
depths. turned back to the house
disgusted In the morning the doctor
came to my room for his morning
cocktail. | hailed him with derisive
tones, doctor, I've seen your famous
ghost"
What was it?" said he.
"Why, old Browns white mule" |
replied. -HGmtitoR Jay IN Philadelphia
ItlReS