Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-02-25
A QUEER GHOST.
BY N. 3. B.


toned parlor sat his daughter Nellie, in
''msiden meditation, fancy free''-that is,
| she thought herself sc; but the following
day her oldest friend and playmate, Malcolm
Macdonald, was to sail for foreign land.
He was q sailor, bonny, blue-eyed lad,
and loved her with all the strength of bis
great honest heart. He had offered that
heart to her the day before and asked her
to marry him and 60 away with him. But
abe would not. Now she almost wished she
had, and she rose-she would get pencil and
paper and write to him, but the door bell
rang long, loud peal, and she waited. The
door was flung open and in came three
merry girls, Margaret, Lue and Blanche.
came in so hurriedly that Nellie stood
speechless and riveted her eyes upon them.
They seemed nervous, half laughing, yet
evidently scared.
''Ohl Nsll,' Lue says with little gasp,
going up TO her and laying her hand on her
arm, Il have seen a ghost"
"a whats" says Nell.
IA ghostl downright, Variable gAostI
Now don't look inersduloas. vas nsYsr
10 frightened in ny lifs-was I. girlss"
''No, neverI' cry Blanche and Margaret
with snch suspicious easernesa that Nellie
laughed outright; then says:
"Bnt tell me all about it," and then such
. ohsttering Is there is until Mrs.. Butter.
worth turns them out into the orchard back
OF the farmhouse, where they al gather
around Nell And mako her tell then al the
stories she knows Of ksIooln's life st sea.
There they stay till the warm July day
has eoHe to o close, and the sound of Farm
or Butterworth bringing the COWS from pas
ture tella them it is time to 60 home. They
start for the gate and Blanche says:
"Renenber, now, $50 at Dew Roek If
you want to sac Lees ghost, and q Nell
answered, "All right" the three sauntered
slowly down the village street.
Suddenly Margaret speaks, and there is 9
note Of anxiety in her voice.
"Will it be just fair, girlse Nell ought
to know her own heart"
sit isn't \ question of fairness, it is Iovs
and war just now, SO We may ss we'll keep
our promise to Malcolm, F." returned Blanche.
At $50 that night, four small, dark
figures crept softly into little old hut, hid
den from sight by huge rock, whose great
shadow oast deep gloom over the place,
sud waited. After few minutAs three of
them moved softly around the rooA. ieav-
ing the fourth alone, aud soon Nsll found
herself alone iu the middle Of the room.
Everything vas so still she could alnost
hear her osa heart beat, when she heard q
sound of footsteps coming-nesr-nsarer.
With little thrill of terror she turned swift
~ and faced the door.
It opened slowly. Nell seemed to feel
cold ohills creeping up and down her back.
Instinctivcly she glanced tovard the one
window the little hat contained, aud with
little Shrek sprang toward it; but the ghost
was before her, . tall, dark figure in long
black dominos and SLOUGH hat pulled low
over his face. Very unghostlike he was,
but Nell did not think Of that.
In deep thrilling tones he cried:
do not attempt to leave the room! You
are Nellie Butterworth
"Yes." The word was whispered, but
he heard it.
"You are engaged?"
'No." Decidedly.
"Want to be?" moving nearest to her.
The absurdity of the question struck Nell
even while she drew back, and she burst
into merry laugh.
There was silence for q moment, then
the ghost spoke again.
II am the bearer of message from NAL
colin Macdonald
She stepped forward quickly. Herlover!
What was it?
HE wished me to say he cannot 60 with
that undecided answer. II 1t be yes he
will remain; il 1t be mo- he will remain in
Australia till he dies. What shall I say to
bim for yod? and the ghost stepped little
nearer.
NelPs eyes we're shining; an amused ex-
preston crossed her face and she replied
just little catch in her voice.
s'You might tell him" then shs stop
ped. "Why didn't be come himself? Oh,
Malcolm" in tone of tender rsproaeh, as
the ghoat threw aside his black cont and
slouoh hat and stood in bis ssilor's auit OF
navy blue her own fond, faithful lover.
MAY We come nowf" cried three merry
voices.
Neil turned In mock anger a abe said:
"Did you do this purposely9" But in
spite of the tcne in which she said it there
was glad look in her eyes, and when ev-
erything had besn explained and she stood
alone with Msicolm, she whispered:
"Ghosts are rather nice sometimes, aren't
they?'