Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-25

Tort Fortunately she was rich enough
TO continue TO live in the red.brick
house, and the first shock over, she
found some solace in devoting herself to
the care Of her child.
A few months later an event came 10
pass which brought fresh interests and
occupations into her life. Lord Under
croft returned from long course OF
foreign travel aud took up his abode at I'M
dercroit Manor. n fine old mansion stand
ing in large park. the principal gates
of which were within stone's-throw
Of the red-brick house. he was not
only a polished man OF the world, but
he was also something OF On artist and
an amateur photographer. Moreover,
he was rich, good-lookiDg. and unmar-
ried. Soon altor his arrival at Under
croft he learned the tragic story of Man
sells death, ard shared in the general
sympathy felt fer Fanny in her sorrow.
One day be caught n glimpse OF the
pretty gshles OF the red.brick house,
and, seized with "A happy inspiration, re-
QueSted that he might be permitted 10
photograph tho house and grounds.
Needless ~ say the permission was at
once accorded him.
In our sunless climate the accomplish
ment of this feat necessitRted several
visits. Fanny felt bound to offer lunch
con to the enthusiastic photographers
He on his part could do no less than
show her the pictures when they were
finished and request that she and little
Muriel would avail themselves OF the ex-
tenSive grounds at Undercroft whenever
they we're so disposed. Thus an intimacy
speedily sprsng up between them.
Fanny also invested in a camera A small
clubhouse adjoining the conservatory was
turned into a dark room, and Lord I'm.
dercrOft gave her lessons in the art Of
photography.
Iet Fanny was never alone without
her past happiness rising again before
her, causing her TO realize anew how
great had been her loss. She recalled
her husbands bright. handsome face and
tail, manly form. She loved to trace
some resemblance to him in the little
Muriel. She constantly regretted that
she possessed 40 portrait of him with
which to refresh her memory. Never
had she succeeded in prevailing upon
him 10 have his likeness taken. In reply
to her entreaties be would tell her laugh
ingly that he had once been photo
Rraphed when boy, but that the per
Torrance was too similar 10 visit 70 the
dentist to be repeated. SO even that
small consolation was denied to her.
One morning she and Lord Undercroft
were seated in her pretty little drawing
room looking at some so-called spirit
which he had brought for
her inspection. They had been sent to
him by believer in Spiritushsm who
WAS eager for his conversion.
"Who took them?" demanded Fan
nv. with much curiosity.
IAN ardent spiritualist who finds the
trade lucrative replied Lord Under
croft. His theory is that we are con-
s;antly surrounded by spirits. invisible
10 the naked eye, yet sufficiently sub
stantial to affect the highly sensitized
Photographic plate. The photographer.
Is q medium, whose in
duence brings the shadowy vIsitant at the
right moment The bereaved sitter then
sees in the completed picture the spirit
whose presence he was unconscious of
when the likeness was being taken, and
even recognizes the face as
that Of q deceased relation or friend.
"You don't believe in them, do you?"
asked Fanny.
"No more than 90 in flying pigs"
he REPLIED with a light laugh. 81 dare
say they are easy enough to manufac-
uTe. We viii have trial one day if
YOU like. | have often obtained very
funny results 10y taking two pictures, one
over the other on the same plate. "
But you say that the sitters sometimes
recognize the spirit as that of dead re-
latiye," said Fanny, taking up the
photograph Of a sad-loOking man seated
in an armchair, over the back Of which
leaned a white form. cone cannot see
much of this spirits face at any rate"
"No; l suspect the sitter makes up
his mind that he is going to see the shade
Of some particular detunct individual,
and then he recognizes the apparition, no
matter whether it is recognizable or not.
However, it may he possible to produce
even the required resemblance in the
spirit by making use OF likeness OF the
deceased person. / am not experienced
enough to Judge. l suppose you have
not taken the house for me yet? You
would have light enough this afternoon.
But mind. this attempt IS to be made all
by yourself"
- must wait till you are gone, then,
or you will not he able TO refrain from
giving me hints, " replied Fanny
She was still young and pretty, and
suited her well. Lord Under
.roit had noticed this very often of late.
Poor old red-brick house she
continued, with n sigh. alt is not such
a bright, happy place as it used to be. D"
cit is lonely for you" said Lord I'm
lercroit, sympatheticslly.
lie had risen to bid her farewell, and
had already taken her hand in his.
SO There is another house waiting to wei
como you" he went on TREMENDOUSLY. eff
only dared hope
ooh, no." cried Fanny, in alarm.
And then there came a great temptation.
The red-brick house had indeed been
onely; Lord Undercroft's society had
Deen very pleasant Ii she refused him
heir intimacy must be interrupted. She
md NIuriel could no longer wander at
aill in the lovely grounds OF Under
,roft there would be an end to her
photography lessons ; the old dreary ex-
stence must again be hers.
"Is that your answer" asked Lord
almost reproachfully.
. There is love and happiness waiting for
,ou If Won would but tell me-"
"Not now, not now cried Fanny,
"Come again tomorrow.
will tell you then
CHAPTER III.
When Lord Undercroft was gone Fan