The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-10-29

AC cAC1dlulSu.
Are you Amelie de Boursons? 2"
Slowly, with admirable grace and
dignity, the lady drew back her man
tie, and her marvellous beauty was
again revealed.
The notary, with distended eyes fixed
upon the vision, sank back in the chair
with a low moan.
'This must be explained, monsieur
l CRED, strldlng to his side and grasp
ing his shoulder. "Is there any rea-
son why l should not marry Mile. de
Boursons?"
mile. de B%oursons," returned the
notary, still regarding her with horror,
mas been dead these forty years."
Dead" [ echoed, staring first at the
notary n then at the girl, while a
OF beWilderment Overcame me.
Mile. de Boursons arose with a
charming smile and came to my side.
See, monsieur" she exclaimed,
mockingly, and giving me her hand.
do you also think me dead?"
The hand was as cold as ice, but it's
touch sent a strange thrill through nv
body.
Come, MONSIEUR" I said to the not
airy, who watched the scene in amaze
ment, "read the ceremony at once: we
are in haste"
Slowly and with trembling voice, the
notary obeyed, and the girl at my side
returned the answers in a sWeet-col-
lected voice that disarmed nv fears
and Gained, to some extent, the notary
himself.
L drew a seal ring from nv finger
and placed it upon her icy hand, and
in it's place she slipped a large ruby
from her own hand upon mine.
The ceremony concluded, I paid the
notary, thanking him briefly for his
services, and, followed by my bride.
walked down the path to my carriage re.
The notary stood in the doorway. light
ing US with the candle.
At the carriage I turned to hand nv
wife to her seat, but she had disap-
peared.
l ran back to the doorway.
Where is my wife," I asked.
she followed you down the path"
said the man.
but she is not there"
Without u word the notary accomp
MED me back to the carriage, No
race Of the girl was to be seen.
Right Inc left among the shrubbery
L searched; 1 called aloud her name.
entreatlng her to come to me, but no
sight of the beautiful face rewarded
my efforts.
returned to the notary's study filed
with vague misgivings.
"Where can she be-" I asked, dis
mally.
I'm her grave was the hoarse an.
swer
"Monsieur-"
II told you before that she was
dead. You have welded a ghost"
The next morning in company with
the notary, I drove down the road I'M
til we came to the brick wall where |
first saw Amelie de B%oursons.
We entered the gates and walked to
the chateau that stood in the neglected
grounds. An old woman admitted us.
the care-taker, and, at the notary's re-,
quest, allowed us to visit the gallery,
Inc notary threw back the shutters.
and the sun came in and flooded tbe
portrait of a beautiful girl whose VIC
let eyes regarded me with the same
sweet expression I had noted in nv
bride of the previous evening.
1T is Amelie de Boursons, said the
notary in a gentle voice. Il have seen
Inis picture often, and heard the girls
pltlful story, and that is why [ knee
her last night to be a mere phantom.
Her father was a stern hard man, who
insisted upon her marrying a person
utterly distasteful to the young girl.
She tried to escape, but was captured
and brought home to confront her
fate. On the wedding morning thew
found her dead in her bed. She had
taken her o&n life. That was forty
years ago., monsieur!!''
AS we left the room I glanced curl
ously at the ruby that sparkled on nv
finger.
l wear it to this day.
1t is the only evidence I have ever
possessed of my phantom bride.4st.
Louis Democrat.
object to being retired from the
field" remarked the Base Ball.
II have a kick coming. too,'' replied
b Foot Ball.-Pittsburg Chronicle