Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-11-02

In the gaycst mood, for the little note SAIL
that it's beautiful writer would be pleased
to accompany me to the grand ball at the
tavern.
Do you remember that few days before
the ball you were taken i'll with q feveri
When heard that my lovely partner was
sick, called at once. You told me how
disappointed you were, because although
you felt well enough to CO. your mother,
you feared, would not allow you to attend
the ball. 1 was sorry enough to give up
the idea Of appearing there with the gov.
ernor's beautiful daughter, but agreed
with your mother that it would be dam
gerous to your health to go. cheered yom
sad spirits all that l could, while secretly
resolved that, instead of attending the
ball myself, would spend the evening
with you, and if the chance appeared that
would ask you to be my partner forever,
whether you were sick or well.
The night of the ball was later than
expected in departing for town. Tho
tavern was gayly lit up, and its roof wal
shining in the moonlight. / was so eager
to see you that 1 did not even stop to OBJ
tain a glimpse OF the assemblagc, but
rode rapidly away beyond the sound of the
music. When l arrived at the gate Of tht
governors mansion, was surprised at the
gloomy appearance of the house. Not a
light could see. I dismounted, hurried
to the door and rang the bell. There was
an appalling silence. Twice more L rang
the bell and waited. No one came to thu
door. Almost paralyzed with astonish.
ment and wonder, turned, and slowly
HAVING tho hn1cn Ton1nta1 bnrcn and
started back on the road to the tavern.
felt certain that you would not have been
left sick and alone in the house.
Horrible suspicious tortured my heart
as 1 rode along faster and faster till
reached the tavern. rushed into thu
building and took one glance into the ball.
room. The brilliant assemblage and
bright light dazcd me for q second. A
dance had just ended, and all were prom.
enading in confusion. Suddenly, directly
before me, in full uniform, 1 saw tho
young officer, with you leaning on his arm.
He was bending his smiling face to yours.
Your checks were flushed, and your eyeI
as bright as fire. You were dressed i'll
purest white. When / saw you, felt my
heart turn icy cold. Sharp pains crossed
my chest. Beads of perspiration stood on
my brow. The shock of your treachery
was very cruel. 1 turned, staggered out
Of the tavern, and mounting my horse
rode away, feeling as though Iwere in the
midst of frightful dream.
And now you say that they made you
believe that was glad you were sick, 50
that 1 could be free to escort the bankers
daughterl You say that you loved me,
and that, stung by jealousy, you insisted
on your parents taking you to the ball;
that there you were joined by the officer.
You say that when you saw me at tho
ballroom door alone, dusty, pale and dis
tracted, you realized how terribly you had
been mistaken; that, leaving the captain,
you ran to dctain me, but it was too late.
No; never heard of all that crossed
the seas and fought in foreign armies and
reared family in foreign lands. 1 heard
but once from home They said that you
were to marry the officer. l tried to forget
you. 1 became rich and honOrcd, but
never happy. have lived that night over
q million times, bitterly regretting that
/ did not wait to hear your explanation.
/ am old, feeble, white haired to the world,
but in my soul am still the hot headed
lad Of so years ago, and you are the gov
ernor's beautiful daughter. 1t will always
be so. What, are you weeping? Never
mind. We can't understand these things.
l must go now. Your husband-I hopo
he is we'll? What is that? You say that
you never married? And 1t has been so
years. All, ,ne! We can't understand.
must go back to my hotel. 1t seems ex-
actly like that night The lilacs are in
bloom, and the moon shines on the river,
but these buildings and streets are strange,
and the tavern is old and ruined They
say-and it is true, know-that it is
haunted.-Lincoln Moore in Romance.