The National tribune., 1891-04-16

looked too III to stand. The unwelcome visitor
had seen no one but her mothers cousin and
his wife. She was glad to 20 unseen OF the
otherS In bidding farewell 10 her grand
fathers heir sho had thanked him sadly, like
one who has been generously treated.
The young girl went straight, TO the railway
station at which she had only arrived that
morning Here she inquired the time of the
west bound train, and purchased through
ticket 10 California. She seemed TO have
money in her purse; at least they bad not sent
the hcifess 20 half a million from their doors
pcnnileSs.
Just as long rs you protect your poor moth
cr'S name you shall DC cared for, and when you
marry you shall have neat sum for your
trousscau and house furnishing"
This, from Siias, was thcoccasion Of the girls 5
pathetic thanks. She WAS too young to reason
the matter out.
Alice Lyle left her relatives presence Just
rs the sun was sinking. aud when she had
gone, and his wife had quilted him, Silas Ber-
trand, ir., sat down before tho bright CRATE fire
and stared into the bed Of fame. His face
WAS white, and fixed. and miserable. He did
not look like man who had just saved half a
million.
Surrounded by the gathering shadows his
mind lost in unwclcone thoughts the rich
man was unconscious Of his surroundings until
a sudden cold blast swept through the room.
Starting up in his chair, hc gazed about fear
fully. lie was chilled TO the heart. lie felt
his flesh creep with a uamelcs5 fear.
In angry a-touishment the strong man es-
sayed IL leave his chair, but his limbs refused
TO bear his weight
Like his uncle before him. Slas. ir was q
prompt paying and consistent Episc0palian, the
sort Of a believer in hereafter who declares
that beings 81 superior organism cannot signal
70 those Of more limited capacities. The man
who pTdcd himself on his common sense, and
heartily dcspisCd all rcpntcd seefs Of ghosts,
now raised his eyes and saw what bIs reason
refused 10 admit.
Almost opposite. but o IitlIe to the right, and
perfectly distinct in the freight from the
CRATE, stood his uncle Silss Bertrand, sr
There was no mistakiug the tall. spare figure,
the hooked nose, the thin, harsh lips and beet
ling brOws The figure rescmbled the conven-
tonal ghost only IN a certain mistlncss Of tex
ture and outline. He was clothed exactly as
in life, even 10 the queer, old-fashioned stock
about his neck. Both clothing ana man, how
ever, displayed a transparency that was, to say
the least, unusual. The nephew shiyeTed as
with ague when he saw the corner OF the
mantle before which the old man stood.
The shape was motiouess. the deathly white
face was rigid; only tho cold eyes seemed slive,
and they pierced through the inhcriter Of the
ghosts hard earned million. There was no
mistaking the look in those terrible eyes 1t
was anger, deep and implacable.
The man in the chair tried to speak, but his
tongue was paralyzed, aud even while he
strove 10 utter sound tie vision or illusion
faded into thin air. The cold draft was
shut OF lie felt the warmth Of the fire.
pTsc ical man, however. does not yield
snpincly 10 such flmy assaults upon his reason.
ia less than al hour the worthy successor Of
his uncle was sneerIug at his own wcakue ;,
an Illusion horne Of temporary conscience.
When Sias Bertrand wakeuei in tho gray
OF the next morning with sudden start, he was
conscious Of cold draft Of air passing over
the hca. Then his flesh chilled with terror.
lie tried 10 rise. 20 call out when. glaring at
him with the same angry. threatening, awful
gaze was his visitor Of the night before.
am asleep. thought the millionaire, trying
10 reason the thing from his sight, but lao saw
tho open door Of his wife, room, the window
Cmpcgics, and even tho dim outlines Of his
own clothing on a chair.
The gaunt, familiar figure stood clearly ro-
vealed against the back ground OF a dark plush
hanging. The long thin arms were extended,
both bony hands rested upon the brass foot
rail Of Slas Bcitrand's bed The thin lips
never moved, but the shivtring host knew that
his feaTsome guest was repeating, and repeating,
Migrate" liar " thief"
When the thing faded With the broadening
light the released victim found himself bathed
ia cold respiratoH.
Within month from the day Alice Lyle
started 10 the Pacific Slope the proud. self reli-
ant, hard headed silas Bertrand looked as if
lac were cOutcutiHg with some mental disease.
His family were amazed at the change, not
only IN his physical appearance but in MS
conduct and habits. All at once he became
nervous. silent, restless, tim.d, they said won
deriHRiy among themselves, for he would no
longer sleep or sit alone In any room. The
light was kept burning brightly ali night.
The house was illuminated 40 the first approach
Of twilight The man who had served with
mint and cnmin for over forty years, now
became afraid Of his own shadow. He would
start al the sudden bang Of a door. would avoid
passing through dim rooms aud unlighted halls,
and was seen rushing madly through the dusky
streets. The enyied millionaire would have
become an object Of pity had he not resOlutely
borne his experience in secret. The wretched
man was conscious Of a neveT-depaTting pres
ence n fearful shadow Of the dead filmy
man with angry eyes, a terrible face and figure
that faded in the light. but grew into horri-
bic distnctness with the shadows Of return
ing and departing night at every sudden turn
into an unexpected, dimiy-lighted room he
would catch the shadow OF the thing.
6 Is father losing his mind?"
Hush"
"Mcll, mother. what does 10 mean?"
"Time will tell"
"WOuld you send him 10 an asylum?"
"Certainly; insane people are dangerous"
Havo you consulted the DoctOr4"
"Ok, yes, indeed; several times"
"And what does he say?
" lie tells me to wait little; but read hi:
mind"
Silas Bertrand, about 10 enter his wife's
boudoir. stood ss if petrifed. He had over.
heard a confidential family chat. He looked
dazei-crushed. Twice over a millionaire
aud yet between the forces of the seen and the
unseen he was being ground into nothingness
Was he, then, insane-was this all deusiOn
Then turning, he saw the shadowdy tips of q
huge bOny hand, and covered his eyes, groan-
Ing. Slowly the master Of the house retraccd
his steps TO his fayOrite hauut-the library
Here he sat for hours under the brilliant gas.
jets, imm0yable aud silent. II twas nearly mid.
night when the man rose suddenly from hi:
chair, passed into the hail. and putting on hi.
hat aud coat left the silent house.
For the first time in weeks he neither saw
the shape in the darkness nor felt its presence
at his SIDE
Walking rapidly, rs IL fearing a change oi
purpose. he soon reached a branch telegraph
1,