Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-04-04
WAS SHE HAUNTED.

was nine in the evening and the night
a stormy one.
What then was my surprise. when l
had been ushered into n handsome
parlor i'm one of the best hotels. to find,
sitting in large armchair and with no
appearance of ill-health about her,
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 a smile up
on my entrance.
You look surprised. DOCTOR" the
lady began, motioning me to seat.
"You will be more so before you leave
me. / am not i'll, and can see that
you know that ut n glance"
You certainly are looking very we'll,
madame" said |.
Il am feeling we'll" said she. "The
question that desire to ask You, as a
man who has made the BRAIN in some
degree, speciality. is, am / madp
want you TO give me your opinion. Do
you think me insanep"
That is a very difficult question,
madame" said |. "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:"
~ very grave one, she answered.
Either am out of my mind or there
are such things as ghosts"
There are optical illusions. madame
said l..
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.
Il was not. was kind at first; but he
logged my footsteps and threatened
my life. Not at first. of course, but
after had accorded him an interview,
and refused him rs gently rs 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 |, how
could l love strangerP And he was
ugly a great, savage-looking creature.
After tina: he tried to kill me. He shot
ut me. had him arrested. and he
committed suicide in prison." She
paused and shuddered. at 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 l
awake l know l have been dreaming.
This is different. My ghost or my
madness-cOmes to me upon the stagew
Upon the stagePn l repeated.
Yes" she answered. He says /
shall not act agan. | was playing a
week ago when he came. He often
comes but never before did he touch
me. This time he laid his hand upon
my arm. and whispered
81 tell you you must retire from the
stage! | exact this penalty of you.
The next time you tread the boards l
will kill you!'"
"WellP" said /.
IL tainted" said the lady, land for
tunately it was the correct thing TO do
at that moment. Only my fellow
actors guessed the swoon to be real
one. But the next day cancelled my
engagement. | declared myself i'll.
The truth is l was very much frightened.
had grown used TO his staring and
pointing to his throat, but when it
came to touching me and speaking"
She paused, shuddering violently.
Yours is Il case of disordered nerves.
madame" said /. Il advise you to
take holiday"
Il don't dare to go on actingw she
gasped. Don't you see thatp Why,
/ really believe you do know why am
so troubled! In the very prime of Ike,
with everything value at my hand. l
must sink into obscurity-retire on q
small sum of money. when l might
make an immense fortune-give up the
applause live for, the art l adore
and all because ghost will have it sol"
The tears rose to her beautiful eyes.
She wiped them away and forced q
laugh.
''ph, Jou know l had rather think
myself little out of my mind than to
believe in my ghost!" said she.
$50 should l." said l.. IF you will
take my advice, you will give yourself
holiday, surround yourself with
friends and forget your halluci alton
it is one. You are just little upset,
and it will pass"
wrote prescription.
take this at night" l said. II
assure you that science has distinctly
proven the fact that ghosts do not APP
pear to anyone"
The next day read in the papers
that Madame-had taken her ply
sician's advice and would spend a
twelvemonth abroad.
1t was more than year, however,
before / saw upon the walls OF the city
the announcement of Madam IS re-
appearance. She was to play her