The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-08-08

of ono glrl-thc most daring Of them all
dwelt u purpose ever growing in plan and
desire. Miss Fitzhugh was ut once tho
beauty and life of every gathering.
With all her love of lifo and pleasure
she was sngularly FREQ from boldncss or
unrcscrve. OF fine family, with much
pride of tho highest type, n lady to tho tips
OF her dainty feet, sho yet possessed n
longing for adventure, u delight in some
thing outside tho quiet propricty of her life.
Perhaps some old piratical ancestor had
bequeathed his rebellion to her in q mild
degree. Whatever it was, before the party
reached their homes that lSicly evening
Patty Fitzhugh had made up her mind to
spend that night in the haunted house.
Her health and nerves wcro robust, sho
argued. She had from child boon us FREQ
from fear rs her brave brothers. and why
should this bit of adventure in this tame
unevcntful life DO denied herr
Sho hated not being open with her par
ents-sho was singularly FREQ from Sc
crecy and deceit-but sho quoted her con-
science as she bado them good night. Sho
had often saddled and bridlcd her own
spirited yet gentle mare and after tho
house was still she crept down to the sta
blcs in her riding habit, feeling like q
thief in tho night. Horse and rider stolo
Oio WIZ NIiNcndS, cNcry lOOUlull Oh ZcnOnl
sounding loud and ringing in the still
ness. Miles aid miles the two traversed,
coming ut last to the woods For tho first
time Miss Patty thought of tramps She
did not fear spectral foe, but she did not
fancy an encounter alone and unprotected
with lawless men. Still she went on,
grasping her dagger, prepared to use it if
necessary. The house stood before her like
weird specter. She rode her horse into
tho front room. 1t was safer, and there
Zenoni was company. So the two-beast
and maid-kept their lonely vigil. Hours
passed. The wind moaned and uttered
strange sounds. Sometimes it seemed as
though footsteps wero nearing tho house
Then the stiffness grew insupportablc.
Miss Fitzhugh Strengthened her still,
cramped limbs and began to call herself
names for her uncanny, uneventful expo
dition. Sho was very tired. How could
She keep awake?
Then came something that made every
sense alert Sobbing, mournful cries came
from the west. There was strange sense
of the supernatural in the atmosphere.
Miss FitZhugh sat erect and full of antici-
patton. A girls form in soft white wool
stood before her
A sweet, sad voice said clearly and dis
tinctly: MY time is short You alon,
have braved tho danger. You alone hay
cared to hear tho truth. l did grow
hate my husband. 1 was so desperate.
SO cravcd tho air, tho beautiful outer
world-my freedom. A stranger camc one
day to know tho truth of the rumors ailoat
in the county. Ho bribcd old Dinah to
let him SEQ me. He camo under my win
dow, and begged him to take me away,
to free me from my prison. 1 would have
dono tho same if he had been old and hid
eous. l never loved him. 1 only looked
upon him as my dclivercr from my terri
bic life. He planned my escape. madc
no promises. nevor intended to marry
him. He never limited at love, only com
passion. Flo appeared Mt tho time appoint
cd. My husband camo upon us. He shot
at the man, but l Sprang between them
and received the ball in my heart. 1 do
love my husband. I know now that his
brain was diseased. He has never known
moments peace since. Poor, unhappy
man! Oh, girl, as you value your own
happiness, never, never marry q jealous
man."
Miss Fitzhugh shook herself roughly
There was no longer the vision of the
sweet faced maiden. Only Zenoni paved
tho floor impaticntly. Miss Fitzhugh
walled, then shivercd with excitement.
She sprang ON her horse and dashed rcck-
lessly out and on toward home, her
thoughts in whirl, her heart beating
like trip hammer.
She vcntured to tell the story to her in
timate friend, who laughed at her creduli-
ty. Your dreams always were SO tragic
al and interesting she said. "Of course
you slept, and the vision was dream of
all you had pictured
But Patty Fitzhugh shook hor head
She firmly believes i'll her vision, and she
never wants to repeat her adventure She
prefers the monotony Of her existence
Rhodes Campbell in Philadelphia Times.