The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-07-30
THE WHITE SHAPE
A Weird and Fascinating
Story.
THE GHOSTLY PROr1ISE.
Paul and His Fiancee-Strange Talk.
The Spirits Presence-The Low.
er's Prayer-Reunited.

until autumn. Marie Therese, very far
from getting cured of the cough which
she had caught the other winter, had, on
the contrary, grown worse. aud the doc
tor advised her father to take her TO the
South. The Comte de Berne, whose wife
had died Of consumption after they had
been married three years, took her i'm
mediately to Cannes.
The fist few days a slight amtlioration.
due no doubt to the change of air. took
place in the young girls condition.; but
soon the oppression returned. more per-
sistent than ever; WEAKNESS seized upon
her at the slightest effort and walk Oh
few steps wore her out with fatigue Tier
cheeks now grew hollow and her large
eyes, become brilliant and OF more H.
tense black, seemed to be still larger.
They alone were seen amid the palior OF
her poor thin face.
sPaul ad followed his fiancee. He came
to see her daily and accompanied heE
everywhere. striving, but IN vain. 10 con-
ceal the anguish which tortured him on
discovering each time in her some new
svmptOms of the terrible disease for
which there is no remedy. And he began
tn love still more the girl whom he had
adored so full OF laughter aud so sweet in
the budding Joy of her eighteen years. In
her needless Iowa of existence; he felt
himself thoroughly impregnated with
tenderness on seeing her SO courageous
and resigned.
Often. indeed. she seemed to realize her
condition.
Once when her father wished to prevent
her from guing out through fear of 8
storm:
bah" said she, laughing, IL must en-
iov the time left to me-"
Then. noticing that her fathers coun-
tcnance had grown sad:
Come. papa, don't grieve!" she cried.
throwing her arms around his neck. Il
don't want TO leave you. you both love me
too mUchW
But. in spite of heriassumption of gayety.
she had frequent fits of melancholy. grow
ing still more gentle, still more affection
ale.
One day they were sitting, at twilight.
4 little above La CrOiSette, almost OppO-
site the Chateau de Sainte- Marguerite.
The dusty highway was covered with
pr0menaders slowly returning toward the
town amid the long idleness of summer
evenings. The bright costumes of the
women, whose open parasols seemed like
huge red and white flowers, threw here
and there light tones amid the confused
groups, scattered each instant by the VIC
torias and basket carriages which sped by,
raising dust as fine and white as vapor.
In the distance the sea spread out its
mighty surface, luminous and polished,
with a dazzling metallic brllliancy. The
DrgS and schooners, OF which they saw
only the wind-tilled sails. gIided slowly
along at tho horizon. The sun, at that
moment of setting, impaired to the waves
an extraordinary cOloring. composed OF
green, light gray and pink; then. when 1t
lad vanished. light swell arose. break
ing tie shining surface SO that one might
have safG IN immense net with silver
meshaS had fallen over the sea.
CalmneSS followed. The air was loaded
with vague perfumes of roses and orange
blossoms, which penetrated to the soul.
Marie Therese, with her chin in her hand
and her eyes vague, lost in the dreamy dis
lance, sat motionless. as if benumbed by
the balmy warmth.
Suddenly breaking the silence and ut
tering, as it were, conclusion to her
thoughts:
III it were only true" said she. in a
slow voice, "if souls could return to visit
those they have loved have read about
that, know not where, of friends who
had exchanged that promise. would
come 10 see you, Paul!'
'Maria-The," said ne in a tone OF re-
d
gloomy ideas"
IAN, they don't Kill. my friendw
fortunately" exclaimed he with forced
gayety.
She gently shrugged her shoulders. as if
10 say that she knew what to think about
that subject, and. taking his arm, they re-
turned silently 20 the villa.
That was the last time she went out.
She died when autumn had scarcely COM
menced TO turn the leaves yellow.
But when the Comte de BeEne returned
10 Paris Paul would not quit the district
In which she had spent her final days, nor
especially the little tomb lying on the
slope of the hill upon which the caprice of
the sculptor had caused TO bloom in the
wilderness of the marble whole clump OF
pale roses. the corollas of which were
scarcely broken.
Then he became the prey of a strange
possession. She had said 20 him. Il would
come to see you, PAUL" and that voice.
that single phrase. tcrme nted his brain.
haunted him necessarily.
Yes, his loved one would return, since
she had so promised him; she would re-
turn to console him, TO give him final
kiss. which would calm the burn of that
which he had taken from her rigid lips
already so cold
He waited patiently and soon he knew
without seeing her-that she was near
him. She was constantly at his side.
Thus, when he was reading, with his head
bent over his book he very plainly felt the
caress of her visage leaning upon his
shoulder; then he turned very quickly to
surprise her, but she had already vanished.
Paul avoided everybody; seeking the
solitary spots. where he felt himself in
closer association with her. he remained
LOT whole days shut up in his room, with
All MS blinds closed, the prey Of an indie
Unable anguish Of an uneasiness impossi-
bic to depict. lie no longer slept, save for
few hours, when his feverlsh slumber
was broken by sudden awakenings il
which he found himself oppressed and all
flesh qulvering. Very often now lie strove
to surprise her and exhibited much cum
ming in his attempts; he placed him self in
front Of mirror and, when he felt her be-
hind him he merely raised his eyelids with
ont moving his head. But that instant
brief as it was. sufficed for her disappear.
aDce.
Wearied at last by so many efforts he re-
nounced these useless essays: motionless
lie spoke to her very softly, in caressing
voice, supnlicating her.
"Marie-The, my adored one. you see that
do not forget You; you see how much l
love you. l pray you to let me see You
Ior an lns;ant-a single little instant!
Marie-The. supplicate you TO do sop
lie remained with his hands over his