The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-03-12
WAS SHE HAUNTED.

| and had fancied that was needed in
an extremely critical case, for the hour
was nine in the evening and the night
a stormy one.
What then was my surprise, when
| had been ushered into a handsome
| parlor in one of the best hotels, to find,
| sitting in a large armchair and with no
appearance of ill-health about her. a
| very beautiful woman whom / knew to
| be an actress of position, and had
often admired upon the stage.
| She was dressed in the most becom-
| ing fashion, and arose with smile up
on my entrance.
You look surprised, doctor,n the
lady began, motioning me to seat.
''You will be more SO before you leave
me. | am not ill, and can see that
you know that at glance"
You certainly are looking very well,
madame said |.
Il am feeling WE'LL" said she. The
question that | desire to ask you, as
man who has made the brain, in some
degree, speciality, is, am l mad? I
want you to give me your opinion. Do
you think me insane?n
That is very difficult question,
madame" said l. "A doubt of your
nationality never would have occurred
to me. Besides, insane people seldom
guess their condition. However, YOU
must have some reason for asking the
question:"
"a very grave one, she answered.
EITHER am out of my mind or there
are such things as ghosts
There are optical illusions, madame"
said I.
But illusions of the senses of sight
and touch and hearing all at once.
Would that not be madness?"
Not if you were aware they were
Illusions" | answered.
But they seem real to me- said the
lady, "oh, so real. | suppose you read
the stories about me in the papers?
You have heard of the man who killed
himself for love of me?"
The Frenchman?" | asked. ITO
tell the truth | have read it."
They said l was cruel to him." said
the lady, growing somewhat excited.
II was not. | was kind at first; but he
dogged my footsteps and threatened
my life. Not at first, of course, but
after l had accorded him an interview,
and refused him as gently as a woman
could refuse man. He wanted me to
marry him. He was rich, of good
family; he was honorable and very.
very much in love. But I, how
| could | love stranger? And he was
ugly, great, savage-looking creature.
After that he tried to kill me. He shot
at me. | had him arrested, and he
| committed suicide in prison." She
paused and shuddered 1T is he who
comes,'' she added.
Naturally" said I, you have been
greatly shocked. You dream of him,
and your dreams are SO vivid that you
fancy them actual occurrences
Il knew you would say that" she
sighed, but [ have very vivid dreams,
for in them friends who have been
dead for years come to me. They speak
and move and touch me. But when
awake l know I have been dreaming
This is different. My ghost--or my
madness-comes to me upon the stage!
Upon the stage?" I repeated.
Yes" she answered. He says
shall not act again. I was playing +;
week ago when he came. He Otter
comes, but never before did he toucl
me- This time he laid his hand upor
my arm, and whispered:
81 tell you you must retire from the
stage! 1 exact this penalty of you
The next time you tread the boards
will kill you!''
"Well?" said I.
Il tainted" said the lady, ''and- for
tunately it was the correct thing to dc
at that moment. Only my fellow
actors guessed the swoon to be a rea
one But the next day cancelled m,
engagement. l declared myself i'll
The truth is 1 was very much frightened
1 had grown used to his staring ant
pointing to his throat but when i
came to touching me and speaking"
She paused, shuddering violently.
yours is a case of disordered nerves
madame" said l. Il advise you tt
take holiday"
Il don't dare to go on acting!'' sh
gasped. Don't you see that? Why
/ really believe you do know why an
so troubled! In the very prime of life
with everything l value at my hand,
must sink into obscurity-retire on
small sum of money, when | Nigh
make an immense fortune-give up th
applause l live for, the art | adore
and all because ghost will have it so!
The tears rose to her beautiful eyes
She wiped them away and forced
laugh.
''Oh, you know I had rather thinl
myself a little out of my mind than t.
believe in my ghostr' said she.
so should l." said l. IF you vii
take my advice, you will give yoursel
a holiday, surround yourself wit
friends and forget your hallucination-
it is one You are just little upset
and it will pass
l wrote a prescription.
Take this at night" l said. "
assure you that science has distinct
2 proven the fact that ghosts do not al
I pear to anyone
The next day 1 read in the paper
that Madame-hadt taken her ply
sician's advice and would spend
twelvemonth abroad.
1t was more than year, howeve
before I saw upon the walls of the cit
the announcement of Madam IS r