Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-07-15

4 saeNs anu teN
days later he was found dead in hi
bed. the bride having vanished, n,
one knew whittier"
'"An unpleasant story" I said, litsl.
pleased to notice Kenneth near me
who must have heard every word.
"of conne ID is only chance like
ness, zaid my friend.
.Lilith !" murmured Renneth as n,
paased me.
A week or two later and there VIA,
fashionable wedding in Torremouth
dismal as are all such festivities. Ken,
meth begged his might be quiet, bal
Mrs. vernay laughed in his face.
xou ridirsaazx On s.:zszau~,~.;a,
people van think yon are asha;ned
of me-"
The only member of the family mol
present was Frank. He had reioined
his regiment.
1t was over-breakfast. speeches
and aii--and / was refreshing myself
by a walk by the sea.
A total stranger came up and ad.
dressed me. inquiring about that
mornings wedding. He appeared to
have been a spectator in the church.
Among other things, he asked the
brides name.
"She was Mrs. Vernay,' replied.
"Ah." he said, 81 thought knew
her again"
MAY | ask You where you met
herr"
"1n Ceylon. She came out as a
bride, after three weeks" He paus-
ed, but ! begged him to go on.
at is an unpleasant story" he said.
"Her husband was found stranpled
in his bed. They said one of the Syces
had done it, but some thought Mrs.
Vernay could have explained the
matter"
| asked no further questions-a
voice seemed to whisper in my ear,
"Lilitht' and the stranger went on
his way.
But forgot my forebodings as the
days passed. bringing nothing but
good news from Kenneth and his
wife as they travelled in the lake dis
trict. We talked of them, of the
speculated as to their fatnre home, as
yet undetermined.
One night after my wife had gone
to bed / was lingering over the fire.
Carelessly | raised my eyes toward
mirror hung over the mantelpiece,
and there my attention was rivetted
by the reflection that met my eye.
1t was no repetition of the room was
in, but faithful picture of Kenneth's
retreat at the chapel.
saw the door open and flood of
pale moonlight stream into the room.
| saw Kenneth and his wife enter as
from long journey. and noticed
her passing round the room looking
at his treasures while he lit a lamp.
She had something in her hands gleam-
ing against her dress. and noted how
she stole behind him as he bent over
the light. Then cloud of vapor q
rose from the lamp, and he turned to
face her, stern and unyielding. She
threw herself kneeling, praying at
his feet, but he never hinched; then
she rose, changing into tall, thin,
pale figure, with deathlike face and
hollow, cleaning eyes. Still he never
faltered, and with a cry this being
rushed through the half-Open door
into the moonlight. The vision haunt
ed me, though in every possible way
/ tried reasonably to account for it.
The next morning l left Torremouth
by the earliest train, stopped at the
station nearest Kenneth's retreat. and
with some little difficulty found my
way to the chapel. All was lonely
and deserted, yet / seemed to note
hanging round the room faint traces
of that smoke-like vapor.
returned to Torremouth, telling
myself that it was Int fancy. and that
Kenneth, with his wife, was in West.
moreland.
At home, to my surprise, ! found
Frank waiting to see me.
81 have seen Kenneth" were his
first words.
"Wheref" cried.
He came to me last night; have
seen her. too. Towering his voice. in
her true sorm. / know now all thai
he did for me. See-he gave me this. u
II was q moose made of thick coil
of . womans golden hair.
From that time 10 this have neveI
again seen Kenneth LAMBERT, nor hal
any one else.