Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-07-06

A puff of cold air ran through the
room with such startling rupidity that
the wax candles flared and went out,
leaving only the light Of the full moon
through the lace-draped windows,
mingling with the Pickering freight
in a strange, spectral glare, which was
focused upon the square OF velvet car
pet In front of the portrait they had
been examining that very evening.
But what was this2 Had the picture
come TO life and stepped out Of its
frame? The startled group at the fire
side could see only shadow there that
paled and iiickercd, but stepped bodily
and auduciously into the light. Was IL
the scmblance of the portrait, or was II
really the beautiful form and face Of
that woman of Il century past, wear
ing the same clothes which huttered
noiselcssly, dlifuslng a cold sweet per-
fumc that affected the senses like the
incense of dcath2 Her eyes were fixed
as in the picture, but the red was on
her lips and checks, and her little feet
peeping from the tlounces and laces Of
her wide skirts, wore the clocSed stock.
ago. There she stood before them all
yet never noticing them, and then she
began 10 dance In stately measure n
minuct, as II some unseen cavalier
were treading the mcaturo with her.
and all the time that cold wind was
blowing and strange, quaint melody
was being played by invisible hands,
aside from which there was not aS much
noise as II n hummingbird had iiut-
tered its wings.
Then somebody sore AIMED or fninted,
and In a moment the music ceased; the
dancer was gone. Somebody lighted
all the gas burners, and there was the
portrait Just as II had already been,
and when the four young people, hear
ing the hubbub In the library, came
rushing In they were overwhelmed by
what they missed, nor dared they cast
dlscredit ON the evidence Of their elders.
But youth throws off Impressions
easily, and Helen and Walter and their
friends made such charming Jest and
gaycty ont Of II that with the help OF a
warm supper the elders were finally in
ducod 10 throw OIL the mystery and
solcmnity Of the astral dance, and
looked upon 1t "a mirage, something
quite explainablc by certain laws Of hu-
man occult development. Helen even
declared saucily, that her grcat.grand-
mother must have been giddy girl TO
come back for brief visit 10 earth Just
10 dance that tiresomc old minuct, and
then she looked at Walter and blushed
wildly
You see, you dear old stupids, you
had talked ghosts until you were quite
ready TO see one In every corner. II
great.grandmamma did appear, then.
II was 10 signify that she was quite
willing that | should step into her
shoes"
~ assure you that no power on earth
would persuade me 10 ever allow her
clothes 10 be disturbed in my ife-time,"
said Mrs. King with emphasis.
Helen looked at Walter, and her pref.
ty mouth made distinct shaping OF
the letters "P-h-e-wl"
Walter looked ut Helen and tele.
graphcd the word back again. But
none Of those worldly-wise people ever
came near suspcctlng what might have
been the real truth, not even when they
saw Walters auto-hasp, the most drcary
musical instrument that whs ever con.
celyed, lying on the hall sofa the next
day, or when they alluded, as they oft
en- did, 10 llelens wonderful resen-
blance 10 her Rreat-grandmother's por-
trait.-Dctroit Free Press.