The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-01-28
ANASTASIA'S GHOST.

Poor AnRstssial She warned me solemn.
ly on her desth.bed never to marry again,
and threatened to rise from her grave in
case Of such an event.
Katie was in her tenth year when my
wife died. l sent her away to a boarding
school, and, as business called me abroad,
did not see her again until my return
eight years afterwards. was somewhat
bewildered to find a lovely woman instead
Of the little girl had left in short dresses.
OF course, you can guess the sequel. / fell
in lovaHith this charming adopted dRugh-
ter. There was something in the frank
tenderness OF her manner that completely
won my hesrt.
It was evident that che was deeply at
tached to me- l could not help seeing
how much higher she valued my society
than that Of my nephew, Charles Ray
mond, who had accompanied me from
shYosd. She never addressed him except
In monosyllables, and would flush al over
with embarrassment II he but entered the
room. But with me she was always self
possessed and 30 laxative and sociable
that could not help plying Charlie.
Katie wasn't q bit like other girls that l
had ever known anything about, Instead
Of bluBhing at my confession she turned
pale and shiVered as II struck by q sudden
chill. I noticed, too, that there was q
strange culver in her voics when she
finally consented to be my wife. was
sppreheneiye that Charlie had told her
what Ansstssis had said on her desth.bed.
And yet couldn't believe he would be 60
inconsidsrate. Somehow couldn't forget
that warning. AnsstBsis IVES 8 remarka-
BILE woman, and would surely keep her
word If ghosts are permitted to walk the
earth.
That afternoon Katie kept to her room,
with a headache. missed her bright face
behind the teE-trAy. Charlie left his cup
uutRsted My jealousy was aroused, and
said, hall augily: "Whst is the matter,
CbsrlieP You look SO il you hadn't q
friend on earth. I didn't know before
that you liked Katie 30 we'll" BE flushed.
81 am glad that You DO" l continued,
hastily, "for you will soon be connected
by lies Of relationship. She has promised
to he my WIFE,"
Charlie showed evident signs Of sgitR-
ton.
"You have no right TO Sacrifices that
young girl" he said bitterly. "You are
old enough to be her grandfather. OF
course she accepted you from gratitude.
How dare you think Of such q thiDg?"
At that moment the wind gave a fear
iul shrek outside, and l thought Of An
sstasia.
"Are you not afraid to marry sgain ~
Charlie inquired, mallciously. "You re-
member the wsrniDgW
There Is no use in denying that was
troubled little with auperslitious fears
What II Anastasia would rice from her
grave as she had promised? l peered
round snxiously in every corner Of the
room before retiring, but found no sign Of
any mysterious visitanE. had such a
fear Of the darkness, however, that l left
the candle bnrning.
The fury Of the etorm had not abated,
and lay awake sometims listening TO the
wind. Al lRat, however, | fell into an I'M
esey slumDer How lopg | slept / know
not, when YES awakened by an icy
touch upon my forehead. A figure robad
in white came glijiug towards me.
started up with a thrill Oi apprehension
The light emitted faint, sspuchrsl
CLEAN. On, horror what was that saw ?
| 4 figure robed In white came gliding 10.
wards me from the foot OF tho bsd The
face was hidden from my view, but knew
from the form that II Wss the ghost OF
| ADastasiS.
"William Raymond" came in a hoarss
voice from the figure; ~ sm here to
i .unnnn ,o,w tn6dalilv and IN dFan 70 >,
down to the grave In my embrace"
I shrieksd with terror, and cried faint.
lily: "Mercy! mercy !"
"You would marry Kate Nelson, would
your" whispered the ghost, mockingly,
eff you do not wish to die"-and here the
icy fingers pressed 60 tight that / sasped
for breAth-"promige me that you will moi
taks a second wife"
"0h, Ipromlse!" said I, half dead with
fright.
"Woe be unto you II you deceive me n
answered the ghost solemnly. And
heard no more.
It was some time, however, before
ventured to csst timid glance around the
room. The ghost had disappeared. The
storm, too, was beginning TO Bubside; but
| could not go to Aleep Sgain, for found
II impossible to forget that phantom and
Its deadly clutch upon my throat. re-
solved 10 say nothing about 1t. 0fcourse
people would ridiCule the idea Of ghost
Nevertheless, did not dare to wed Kate
Nelson yet, how could l explain this sud.
den change Of purposeP l fervently hoped
that she would not die Of broken heart,
the poor child! What should l say to
herr
After considerable reflection, l resolved
to trust this delicate affair TO the tact Of
Charlie. The proposed marriage was 50
odious in his eyes that l knew he, would
justify my apparent treachery to her, II
possible.
Morning came, and 1 arose In 9 fsveriHh
state OF mind. How dreaded to meet
Kate at the breakfast tablet but, iortun-
stely, she did not make her appearance.
Charlie looked 60 troubled that almost
iancied be, too, had seen the ghost.
After breakfast, said to him, with an
embarrassment that l stroye to hide:
"My dear boy, do you remember what We
were talking about last EVENING" l have
been thinking oyer the matter Heriously,
and / am afraid that marriage between
Kate and myself will result In unhappl-
ness; but hBve not the courage TO brave
her reproaches. Now. Charlie, will you
act ss mediator, and make known 10 her
this change in my viewsS" -
"Ol course, will, he replied; "but II
| is difficult tack. The poor child will bt
60 dissppuintedW
detected joyous ring In his voice
and looked at him rather suspiciouBly.
His diplomatic mission was successful
however. Late in the afternoon KRti'
came down into the library where ! wa
sitting. l had nsVer seen her look pref
aoh, Mr.. Raymond" she said eagerly
81 am 90 glad that you changed you
mind It was all so unexpected yester
day. 1 never dreamed before that yoI
loved me in any other way than -