The Dickinson press., 1896-11-07

W. u Stuuy.
My companion at once seated herself
In an armchair, but without removing
the muffiings from her face.
The notary snuffed the candle. ar
ranged his books, and, turning to me
with penetrating look. said:
1 must know your naE}e, monsieur"
''lticilarl Harrington"
"four residcncey'
II am an American"
He wrote the answers in his book.
Then. glancing toward the armchair,
he continues:
''The lady's name?"
waited for her to reply, but as she
remained silent, answered.:
'.Amelic de Roursons.''
'WhO?" cried the notary, in a loud
voice, springing to his feet, while a
look of fear oversprcad his wrinkletl
face.
"Amelie de Boursons," repeated,
slowly. infected by the mans agitation
in spite of myself.
The notary stared wildly at the muf-
fed form of the lady. Then he drew
out his handkerchief and wiped the
heads Of perspiration from his FORE
head.
What does this mean, monsieur:"
demanded, angrily.
The man needed me not the slight
est. but, clutching the edge of the ta-
ble to steady himself, and extending
his long, bony finger toward the girl,
he cXclaimcd:
care you Amelie dc BOursons?"
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 he explained, monsieur"
cried, striding to his side and grasp
ing his shoulder. "Is there any rea-
son why should not marry Mile. de
BoursOns?''
Mile. lie Boursons." returned the
notary, still regarding her with horror,
''has been dead these forty years"
Dead" echoed, staring first ut the
notary and then at the girl, while
sense of bewildcrment overcane me.
Mile. de BOursons arose with n
charming smile and came to my side.
"Sec, 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 strange thrill through my
body.
"Comc, monsieur" l said to the not
ary. 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 swect-cOl-
lected voice that disarmed my fears
aid calmed, to some extent, the notary
himself.
l drew seal ring from my finger
and placed it upon her icy hand, and
in its place she slipped a large ruby
from her own hand upon mine.
The ceremony concluded, paid the
notary. thanking him briefly for his
services. and. followed by my bride,
walked down tho path to my carriage.
The notary stood in the doorway. light
ing us With the candle.
At the carriage l turned to hand my
wife to her seat, but she had disap-
peared.
l ran back to the doorway.
"Where is my wife," asked.
"She followed you down the path"
said the man.
But she is not there"
Without word the notary accompa-
MED me back to the carriage. No
trace of tile girl was to be seen.
Right aId left among the shrubbery
l searched; l called aloud her name,
cntreating her to come to me, but no
sight of the beautiful face rewarded
my charts.
returned to the notary's study filled
with vague misgivings.
''Whele can she beg asked, dis
mally.
I'm her grave" was the hoarse an
swer.
"Monsieur-"
Il told you before that she was
dead. You have welded ghost"
The next morning in company with
the notary, l drove down the road un-
til we came to the brick wall where I
first saw Amelie de Boursons.
We entered the gates and walked to
the chateau that stood in the neglected
grounds. An old woman admitted us,
the carc-taker. and, at the notary's re-
quest, allowed us to visit the gallery.
The notary threw back the shutters,
and the sun came in and flooded the
portrait of beautiful girl whose vio-
let eyes regarded ME with the same
sweet expression I had noted in my
bride Of the previous evening.
ut is Amelie dc Boursons." said the
notary in gentle voice. Il have seen
this picture often. and heard the girls
pitiful story. and that is why l knew
her last night to be mere phantom.
Her father was 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 they
found her dead in her bed. She had
taken her own life. That was forty
years ago, monsieurw
AS we left the room I glanced curl
ously at the ruby that sparkled on my
finger.
l wear it to this day.
1t is the only evidence nave ever
possessed of my phantom bride.-St.
Louis Democrat.