The Forrest City times., 1893-06-23
A GHOSTLY EPISODE.
1t Might Have Been Explained by
 Helen and Her Lover.

AASA
 They were very comfortable party of ten or a dozen adults visiting in an old ancestral house. and all nearly or remotely connected or related. And it often happened that the conversation took turn to include those deceased ancestors whose portraits hung on the walls. and whose possessions were un- der the same roof with themselves.
 ''lt seems like sacrilege," their host ess was saying, as they sat in the twi- light glimmer, between hearthlight and daylight, in the old-fashioned draw ing room, but Helen has about per- suaded me to let her have her great grandmother's wardrobe. 1 could never think myself of disturbing those things which my mother gave me as sacred bequest. But Helen declares that the time has come when those old gowns can be worn without remOdeling, and fancy she would be rather proud of them as heirlooms."
 Il should be afraid the ghost of the owner would look over my shoulder, remarked one of the cousins present, in an awesome tone.
 ''Oh, if it comes to that, we are all ghosts,'' said another one; we carry our ghosts with us, But as the good danes cannot, even as ghosts, wear their old garments, why should we be denied that privilege?"
 q tell Helen she will only have the clothes, not the air of one born to them. My grandmother was belle and a beauty. She had-well, there she is; you can all see her and judge for your selves:" and Mrs. King led the way down the long room into the vista of faint darkness to the portrait. can della brum was lighted, and in tat pale Rlimmer they saw the beautiful face of d girl of nineteen, with the shoulders and waist of an ideal figure. Her fair cheeks and rosy lips, her naughty chm with dimpie set in it, her large, lus- trous eyes, were framed in mass of such curls as were worn in that day. They hung oyer her lovely shoulders down to her small vast.
 "There," said Helen, in an eager voice, Hook at that peach-colored silk flounce to the waist; see the puffed sleeves and the capes-oh. isn't It de- licious, just as they are wearing them now, and it's upstairs in an old mahog- any trunk, packed in camphor! Great rrandmamma wore it as bride. And those lace mitts and the dear little handkerchief bag on her arm, and the medallion picture of great-grandpa with his hair in queue - oh! 1t would be too lovely! And |. she con cluded, with pardonablc pride, am said to resemble her"
 You do," said her mother; ''at least we think you look like her picture. but you need not imagine, you presumptu- ous child. that you will ever be half so beautiful"
 Not even in that dress?" queried Helen, with an alluring smile.
 'I have not fully decided that you shall wear that dress. I have often thought that there may be something in the suggestion that people do re- turn"
 Not as entities?.a suggested Helen's aunt.
 q do not know. All my traditions teach me 10 respect that Which Sah not understand. I have often been shocked by the unkind haste with which the living appropriate the pos sessions of the dead as if they were eager to obtain the spells"
 I've brought notbing into this world -" began the aunt.
 Don't" interrupted Helen; ''l take quite another view of it. As my great grandmother had her day, why should she object to me having mine? She does not need these gowns of hers in her present condition. and should be pleased to know that after lying in state for so many years they are to be brought out by one of her descendants. | l am quite willing to run the risk of in- curing her wrath, if you will let me