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

history. Years ago handsome, wealthy
young man appeared on tho scono and
bought acres of land in II beautiful wood
There he built an ordinary looking yet
comfortable house. A stray farmer hap
pening through the wood exclaimed,
what on airth does man want to build
in this outlandish place fer, IN what was
ho puttcrin SO long inside now that no had
the outside donef' But the builder was
not troubled with much criticism, for no
was too remote from all human habitation.
Ho toilcd on. and then ono dreary day no
brought to the house q beautiful young
girl. But to her nothing was dreary nor
uncanny, for she imagined no greater hap
piness on earth than to be always with
her handsome lover husband. No one
knows whether sho was an orphan or left
loving family circle, but it was known
that tho demon of the husbands heart
was mad unnecessary jealousy. He
married her with the understanding that
she was to live far from the haunts of men
only for him was her beauty to shine
and her smiles to charm. 1t was nothing
to him that her sweet. innocent youth was
to be buried alive in this lonely spot. But
he did not look upon it as sacrifice Was
not he willing to give up his pursuits
his intercourse with mon? And would
ever knight of old devote time, thought
would to his beautiful young wifeP
Tho girl started with surprise when sho
entered her home. The plain exterior gave
no hint of the luxury within. The deli
catcly tinted walls wero almost covered
with frcscocS of celebrated old world paint
ings. In one room was Da Vinci's Last
SUPPER" which filled one side, while 9th
CT sacred subjects, notably in our Lords
life, were elsewhere.
Up stairs her bedroom was tho picture
of comfort and even elegance, handsome
rugs, easy chairs and divans filled the
small yet complete space, whilo the walls
held frcscocs of tho Madonna and Child
and other smaller representations
Throughout the house everything spoke of
taste and wealth, and, above all, love and
forcthought for the brides comfort and
welfare. An old colored woman accom-
panied tho young girl. She seemed do
voted to her charge and would not allow
her to stoop to mental tasks. Books, mu-
sic and delicate nccdlework were the occu-
pations of tho girls life. Her husband
read aloud to her, sang with her in his
cultivated tenor voice and seemed to
think only of her. Never was such aban-
don of happiness rs the bride, radiant and
winning, gavo herself up to the delight
OF congcnial companionship. But evon
paradise has it's drawbacks-an earthly
paradise. Tho young girl had been used
to al opon air life of perfect freedom
Hero she was mistress of all within her
little domain, but beyond the threshold
she must not pass. Tho immense tract of
woods lay about her yet she dare not VEN
ture to penetrate it's mysteries The wild
flowers were brought to her in profusion,
yet she could not gather one of them her.
self. Her husband rode away on his spir-
tied horses to buy necessary provisions,
but she could mover accompany him. She
had no idea where she was even, she and
her table attendant having been blindfold-
ed during their long drive. And SO time
passed. Sane on every other point, on this
alone tho jealous husband insistcd-no one
must over set eyes upon the woman he had
chosen. Perhaps he may have had some
bitter experience Of woman's treachcry or
mans faithlcssness, which warped his
otherwise noble nature.
Perhaps he was insane OH this ono sub
Ject, yet had escaped an asylum. What
ever tho cause, tho feet was that after
awhile the young wife dropped and pinned.
Like rare bird beating its life out against
the bars of q gildcd cage so was this
healthy young life fading for want of OK
ercise and freedom, Still tho arbiter of
her destiny would not admit the truth
His hand loving, adoring as it was, never
leSsened its iron grasp.
And then one day tho lonely house was
descrtcd-the occupants were gone never
to return. Explorers found the grave
which is there today-the grave of tho
young wife. Some say that she died a
natural death, brought on by her unwont-
ed confinement and inconsistencies. Others
think that her love gradually turned to
hate for her jailer and that this fastened
her death. Others again say that the old
colored woman limited at q young man
haunting tho vicinity-whether q former
lover or merely an adventuror attracted by
tho mysterious rumors of the place she
did not say, and that, whether with cause
or without, the enraged husband chose to
think the worst and put his wife to DEATH
The mystery remains as well rs the
ruined house, and pieces of tho frescocs
perfect in themselves are still evidences of
past glory
One charming day in early summer
party of gay young people started forth ON
| pleasure intent in the form Of n rural pic
mic. Baskets of all manner of good things
to tempt the appetite were in the care of
dudish young man of color of varied
accomplishments. After some waycriup
| it was decided that the only spot for their
| outing was near the haunted house. They
| examined the small building with keen
| and shuddcring interest. They climbed
into the ruined rooms above, where only
patches of n Madonna here q laughing
oherub there, gave hint at what might
have been. The girls, their gay laughter
| subdued, wondered over the fate of this
other girl and denounced her tyrant hus-
band, even while the romance of his at
tachment pleased their fancy
Her spirit will appear to any ono bravo
enough to spend night in her old home,
| and to such one she will reveal the Sc
| Crot of her death % Snil ono of tho 1nnn