Mohave County miner., 1890-03-15
WAS SHE HAUNTED.

l bad been sen. for in great haste,
and had fancicd that I was needed In
IN extremely critical case, for the hour
was nine In the evening and me night
stormy one.
What then was my surprise. when I
had been ushered into q handsome
parlor In one Of the best hotels, to find,
sitting IN large armchair and with no
appearance of ill-health about her, a
very beautiful woman whom knew to
b 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" 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 q glance"
You certainly are looking very well,
madame, y said L
II am feeling WELL" said She THE
question that ! desire to ask you. as
Qpan who has made the brain in some
degree, speciality. Is, am ! madp I
want you TO give me your opinion. Do
you think me insane?"
That Is very difficult question,
madame" said I. "A doubt OF your
nationality never would have occurred
10 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 l.
But illusions of the senses OF sight
and touch and hearing all at once.
Would that not be madness?"
mot II you were aware they were
Illusions" answered.
but they seem real to me- said the
lady, ''oh. 30 real. ! suppose You read
the stories about me In the papersP
You have heard of the man who Killed
himself for love of me?n
The Frenchman?" I 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 / had accorded him an interview.
and refused him as gently as 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 be tried to kill me. He shot
at me. ! had him arrested. and he
committed suicide In prison." She
paused and shuddered. '.It Is he who
comes" she added.
Naturally" said I. "you have been
greatly shocked. You dream Of him.
and your dreams are 80 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 know have been dreaming.
This is different. My ghost --or my
madness-comes TO me upon the stager
Upon the stage?" repeated.
Yes" she answered. He says /
shall not act again. / was playing q
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:
'.I tell you you must retire from the
stage! exact this penalty Of you.
Tho next time you tread the boards /
will kill your"
"Well9" said ].
Il fainted.n said the lady, 'and for
tunately ii was the correct thing to do
at that moment. Only my fellow
actors guessed the swoon to be a real
one. But the next day cancelled my
engagement declared myself iii.
The truth is 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 q case OF disordered nerves.
madame" said /. Il advise you to
take holiday"
Il don't dare to 60 on actingm she
gasped. Don't you see that? Why.
1really believe you do know why am
20 troubled! In the very prime Of life,
with everything value at my hand, /
must sink into obscurity-retire on a
small sum of money. when / might
make an immense fortune-give up the
applause live for, the art I adore
and all because a ghost will have 1t so!'
The tears rose TO her beautiful eyes.
She wiped them away and forced q
laugh.
.'Oh. you know ! had rather think
myself little out Of my mind than to
believe in my ghostr' said she.
so should T." said /. IF you will
take my advice, you will give yourself
. holiday, surround yourself with
friends and forget your hallucination--
il Is one. You are just little upset,
and it viii pass"
wrote prescription.
Take this at night said. II
assure you that science has distinctly
proven the fact that ghosts do not ap-
pear to anyone"
The next day / read in the papers
that Madame-had taken her ply
sician's advice and would spend
tweivemonth 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
fayorite role, and the papers were full
Of paragraphs concerning her.
Az / had my fortune yet TO make !
felt that / was somewhat extrayagant
to attend on the first night but l did
20, nevertheless.
The house was full Of the most ele-