Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1896-02-20

she loved the sport and, wrapped in
furs, with her curls floating in the
wind fine picture the country folk
thought her; and that Gaspard was
much admired, too for so the story
has como to us, and their pictures are
in the salon, though some think us not
of the right mind to keep them there.
ut comes soon now, petite-the ira
gedy of those two One night-just
such night as this-they went riding
in gay spirits, and going up the hill for
the second or third time what should
they see but another sleigh coming
down! 1t was coming fast and my
great uncle knew it was death for one
side or the other, since pass they could
not. And he shouted to the other
driver to halt
"Ah, it was too latel On, on came
the other sleigh, fast like the wind,
and my great uncle Gaspard saw that
it would into him crash, and he quick
ly drew a pistol and fred to kill the
horse before it was too late. And his
own horse, he got such a fright he
plunged over the side, throwing him
out, but taking his bride down TO
death!
He lived, but like man in dream,
till some one tell him the truth that on
that night there was no other sleigh
but his own, and what he ,Nw was the
shadow of his own. In some way know
not the exact, the moonlight making
that effect by what you call projecting
the shadow, and when he know that,
he take again the pistol and with it end
his misery and his life"
A long silence succeeded this weird
tale and then Clotilde asked in broken
voice:
"Is it then that the sleigh is
ghost?'
Yes, petite, awhat you call phan-
TOM"
81 am not afraid. I accept and
will pray to give the poor ghosts
peace
1t was not like the Loup-Garou, not
to the mind of Clotilde half as dreadful,
but she was not really afraid of these
because her uncle had much sense, and
he did not believe one of these stories,
although tell them he did, and most
graphically.
Again on the following evening came
the sound of bells, and this time Clio
tide went not near the door, but sat
moving he. sweet lips in prayer. Then
the door was flung violently open and
a brusque, CHEEKY voice called:
"Halloo, there, Victor, Alphonse, you
varlets, where are you hiding?"
Certainly this was no ghost, and the
three womeA--VEo chung about his
neck gave fra eyideiIce OF JOY at his
III 3. Go w was not one Or the
three. A big Fold man in a fox skin
coat had taken her in his arms, and was.
talking to her in gentle burr, the old
uncle who told her the dreadful
stories, and then she slipped one small
hand into her lovers and looked at
him with shy, happy eyes.
1T was SO good of you to come in
stead of the ghosts" she said, when
later they sat cooling in corner, while
with the young Gaspard, was making
himself agreeable to the ladies.
Then you know, dear little one?"
said the young man. And you are not
afraid to make your home in the Cha
teau Frontenac?"
Not with my Gaspard," came the soft
answer, but like it better If the
ghosts came not, and your sisters, they
are sorry, too. But afraid-no!'
What of this so much being afraid?"
asked gruff voice, and the old uncle
of Clotilde hobbled over to the corner
where snatches of their conversation
located the two lovers.
Then he was told the story of the
| ghostly sleigh, and looked wise and
thoughtful for the rest of the evening,
The shrewd French-Canadian was filled
with marvellous stories of ghosts which
he loved to relate, but not one of which
he believed, not even his stock fright
story, the legendary Loup-Garou.
The next morning Uncle Pierre was
missing from the chateau, but no one
was disturbed. He had taken his gun
and would return when he pleased,
which was at nightfall, and simultan-
eously with his coming rang out the
jangling invisible bells.
He found the family shivering around
the great fire, as if it were stricken
with deadly cold. Even Gaspard looked
troubled and the little Clotilde was try
ing to assure him she was not-"Oh,
no, not the least afraid"
Fine is the night he said in salu-
tation, "and the air is clear, SO you
hear-r-r. OH SO far! Heard you not.
my Clotilde, the sleigh bells that came
with me?"
"Oh, no." cried the ladies Of the cha
teau in faint chorus, 'the bells do