The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-04-02
"Of course, it is only a chance like.
ness" said my friend.
"Lilith!" murmured Kenneth as he


ness" said my friend.
passed me.
A week or two later and there was
y fashionable wedding in Torremouth,
dismal as are all such festivities.
Kenneth has begged his might be quiet,
but Mrs. Vernay laughed in his face.
"4ou ridiculous boy!" she said;
people will think you are ashamed of
me-"
The only member OF the family not
present was Frank. He had rejoined
his regiment.
1t was over-breakfast, speeches,
and all-and l was refreshing myself
by a walk near the sea.
A total stranger came up and ad-
dressed me, induiring about the
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, II thought knew
her again."
"May ask where you met her?"
"ln Ccylon. She came out as q
VI lliICC WCCkS- IslVlS-
cd, but l begged him to go on.
"lt is an unpleasant story" he said.
"Her husband was found strangled
in his bed. They said one of the Syces
had done it, but some thought Mrs.
Nernay could have explained the mat
ter"
l asked no further questions-a
voice seemed to whisper in my eur.
"Lilith!" and the stranger went on
his way.
But forgot my forebodings as the
days passed bringing nothing but good
news OF Kenneth and his wife rs they
Travelled in the lakedistrict. Wetalk-
Ell OF them, OF the weather they must
he enjoying, and speculated as to their
future home as yet undetermined.
One night after my wife had gone to
bed ! was lingering over the fire. Care
lessly raised my eyes toward a mir.
ror hung above the mantelpiece, and
then my attention was riveted by the
reflection that met my eyes. 1t was
no rcpltltion of the room l was in,
but faithful picture OF kenneth's re-
treat ut the chapel.
saw the door open and n flood of
pale moonlight stream into the room.
saw Kenneth and his wife enter as
from q long journey, and noticed
her passing round the room looking
at his treasures while he lit u lamp.
She had somethingi her hands gleam-
ing against her dress, and noted how
she stole behind him rs he bent over
the light Then a cloud of vapor
arose from the lamp, and he turned
to face her, stern and unyielding. She
threw herself kneellng, praying at his
feet, but he never flinclcd; then she
rose, changing into q tall, thin, pale
figure, with death-lke face and hol-
low, cleaning eyes. Still he never fall
tered, and with cry this being rushed
through the half open door into the
moonlight. The vision haunted me,
though in every way possible l tried
reasonably to account for it.
The next morning left Torremouth
by the earliest train, stopped at the
station nearest kennetll's retreat,
and with some little difficulty found
my way to the chapel All was lone
ly and deserted, yet l seemed tonote
hanging round the room faint traces
OF that smoke-like vapor.
l returned to Torremouth telling
myself that it was but fancy, and
that Kenneth with his wife, was in
Westmoreland.
At home, to my surprise, l found
Frank waiting to SEQ me.
81 have seen Kenneth" were his
first words
"When?" l cried.
Gle came to me last night; l have
seen her, too," lowering his voice,)
Gin her true form. | know now all
that he did for me. See-he gave me
this"
1t was moose made OF thick coil
of woman's golden hair
From that time to this have never
again seen Kenneth Lambert, nor has
any one else.
Now, perhaps, you may call ME q
silly old fool for thinking anything
supernatural lay behind these circum-
stances. You may call Kenneth mad,
as many do, and find excellent reasons
to account Tor everything else.
have told neither more nor less
than saw. Put what Interpretation
you please upon it, can offer none.
Was she Lilith?
l cannot tell. But she cost the life
mo matter how it ended) OF one of
the noblest men l ever knew. And
Frank still suffers from having once
been beneath her erinfuence.-Belgr,