Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-04-03

And one day Frank came to my wife
pour into her sympathetic ears wild,
fierce rawlings against his brother. Why
had Kenneth talked all that nonsense
about celibacy and seclusion when he
came and took away the only woman
Frank ever would, ever could love?
And thus we heard of Kenneth's en-
gagement to the beautiful Mrs. Vernay.
All the men in the place envied him;
but never in my life have seen SO grave
and gloomy lover. Yet, like all the
other men who met her, he seemed to
adore her. Inever heard any one ques-
ton his devotion. Perhaps their eyes
were blinde. know we all pitied Frank.
And the time passed merrily by to the
wedding day, Mrs Vernay growing daily
more beautiful.
Once she passed me as I walked with
friend on the esplanade.
'Good heavensv' he exclaimed; ''what
likenessr'
'.Of whom ?'' asked.
"Of peasant girl in the Black Forest
who few years ago created a great stir
in the village. All the young fellows
were in love with her. She married one
of them and a few days later he was
found dead in his bed, the bride having
vanished no one knew where"
IAN unpleasant story, I said, little
pleased to notice Kenneth near me, who
must have heard every word.
"Of course, it is only a chance like
ness" said my friend.
"Litthr' murmured Kenneth as be
passed me.
A week or two later and there was a
fashionable wedding in Torremouth, dis
NAL as are all such festivities. Kenneth
had begged bis might be quiet, but Mrs.
Vernay laughed in his face.
"You ridiculous boyv' she said; 'peo-
pie will think you are ashamed lne. :"
The only member of the family not
present was Frank. He had rejoined bis
regiment.
It was breakfast, speeches and
all-and was refreshing myself by a
walk near the sea.
A total stranger came up and address,
ed me, inquiring about that mornings
wedding. He appeared to have been a
spectator in the church. Among other
things he asked me the brides name.
"She was a Mrs. Vernay," I replied.
"Ah," he said, II thought I knew her
again"
"May ask where you met herr"
In Ceylon. She came out as bride
after three weeks" He paused, but
Ibegged him to go on.
at 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. Vernay
could have explained the matter"
I asked no further questions-a voice
seemed to whisper in my ear, "Lilithp'
and the stranger went on his way.
But I forgot my forebodings as the
days passed bringing nothing but good
news of Kenneth and his wife as they
Travelled in the lake district. We talked
of them, of the weather they must be en-
joying, and speculated as to their future
home, as yet undetermined.
One night after my wife had gone to
bed 1 was lingering over the fire. Care
lessly raised my eyes toward mirror
hung above the mantel piece, and then
my attention was riveted by the reflection
of the room I was in, but faithful pic
ture of Kenneth's retreat at the chapel.
I saw the door open and food of pale
moonlight stream into the room. saw
Kenneth and his wife enter as from a
long journey, and I noticed her passing
around the room looking at his treasures
while he lighted lamp. She had some
thing in her hands cleaning against her
dress, and I noted how she stole behind
him as he bent over the light. Then
cloud of vapor arose from the lamp,
and he turned to face her, stern and I'M
yielding. She threw herself kneeling,
praying at his feet, but he never flinched;
then she rose, changing into tall, thin,
pale figure, with a death-like face and
hollow, cleaning eyes. Still he never
faltered, and with cry this being rushed
through the half open door into the
The vision haunted me,
though in every way possible I tried rea-
sonably to account for it.
The next morning I left Torremouth
by the earliest train, stopping at the sta
ton 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-ike va
por.
I returned to Torrenmouth telling my
self that it was but fancy, and that Ken
meth, with his wife, were in Westmoreland
At home, to my surprise, I found
Frank waiting to see me.
II have seen Kenneth" were his first
words.
"When?'' cried.
HE came to me last night; I have
seen her too," Towering his voice, in
her true form. know all that he did
for me. See-he gave me this"
It was a moose made of thick coil of
woman's golden hair.
From that time to this I have never
seen Kenneth Lambert, nor has any one
else.
Now, perhaps you may call me silly
old fool for thinking anything superna-
tural lay behind these circumstances.
You may call Kenneth mad, as many do,
and find excellent reasons to account for
else.
I have told neither more nor less than
I saw. Put what interpretations you
please upon it, can offer none.