The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-18

% ~. On, " W4g 0qQ np1Y1UioI
Thsss three $efe ny principal lssatees.
II lad only Known sooneri But how was
thHt poesiblei
I knew what would Do. I had made
up my mind--and baSing ho body was al
mind now--I would 60 q once TO my so.
lioitor's and have o oodieil dsawn up while
there was yet time. But stay, there was
no time. 1t was too late. had quite for.
gotten that was only poor ghost, a de.
materialized spirit, and that old idiot
Sharpitlaw was 20 welded to routine and
old fashioned custom that he would GER.
tainly regard . posthumous testament as
informal, and az I was invisible he would
treat my signature as null and decidedly
void.
When next turned toward my amiable
and disinterested family circle, perceived
that tho breakfast things had been re.
moved, and Tom Slowquieker sat in the
armchair, with my will spread out before
him.
"There's some one missing" he said,
looking around him magisterially. "Who
is itp''
"only my sister Minnie" Vernon re-
marked casually. ~ went to her this
morning, but she's SO upset about his death
that she feels quite i'll and could not come
down to breakfast"
"Don't be absurd, !" said Priscilla. "wby,
she never gave him go much as a civil
word. " Then sotto vooe to her brother:
"And that's what has upset her, expect
She Is afraid she has spoiled her chances Of
legacy"
Oh, that spiteful Priscillal II I could
only alter my will But it was too late
for here was my executor standing, Or
rather sitting, In my place. At least there
was one thing could do. Iwould find
my friend the demon and see If arrange
ments could not be made for haunting
them.
But these precious words about Minnie
had sent balm into my tortured spirit, so
that my incorporate heart throbbed, shak-
ing the venstians, and Tom asked where
the draft came from. would go to her
at once; SO I traversed the closed door
again, passing them all as the sigh of
summer breeze, which is we know not
what or whence it comes or whittier it
goes--a breath from-well, no matter
where don't exactly know myself.
Thus went up stairs and into Minnie's
room, where found the poor girl still in
bed, her cheeks pale her eyes red with
weeping, all the signs upon her of Sleep
less night Of sorrow, and pressed close to
her soft bosom she held likeness of my
unworthy self which had given her once
long ago And this was the girl who new
er spoke save to ridicule and poke fun at
me, whose dislike for me was almost pro.
verbal In the family, and yet the girl
whose love-with usual human perversity
would have given all the world to win!
All, this knowledge of her hearts secret
was sweet to mel 1t gave me courage. I
would comfort her. l would pour forth
my love. would tell her--stay What
could tell her? Was not forgetting again
that was only poor ghost-merely the
shadow Of shadep Was I not unseen by
herr And even were 1t possible for me to
make myself visible for q few moments I
should only succeed in terrifying my poor
love out of her senses.
Alas, was this the realization of a here
after, the punishment Of early vanities
and sins; to see things just as they are
and yet to DO so miserably impotent to
alter them; to see, too, what might have
been and to beat out my weary spirit on
into eternity in vain longing for fruition
that can never Gomez
My funeral was appointed to take place
the next day. 1t wasa very grand affair al
together, and cake and wine had been laid
in the parlor to entertain the guests upon
this festive occasion. dare say should
have done the same had been burying a
relation, but somehow 1t hurt mo to see
my best dry sherry being put away.
AS accompanied the mourners down the
steps suddenly perceived my friend, the
demon, by my side. Vainly sought a
coach, but could find no room. turned
to him somewhat angrily and remarked;
II soy, you promised should go to my
own funeral, but don't seem to have been
considered in the arrangement at all.
you forget that corporeally you hold
the place of honor at the head of the pro-
cession, but in the spirit you can get in
here. There's only the doctor and the
Clergyman.
Between the doctor and the parson!
Really, my dear demon, you are remark
able for q most sardonic humor."
Well, the men of medicine and religion
talked politics all the way, which thought
but as they were both Con-
'eryatiycs they did not disagree am
Liberal myself and began vociferously ex-
pounding Mr.. Gladstone's policy, quite OBJ
ivious that my gesticulations were unseen
If my words unheard by them.
GOOD job for yourself you are Dead"
aid the demon. you're just the sort to
get into a jolly row with redhot poll
icians"
The cemetery was soon reached, and l
ooked down and saw my coffin lowered
nto the open grave
Earth to earth'--
A few Jumps were thrown and fell upon
he lid with a grewsome rattle and
awoke with q start, and my eyes met
hose Of my brother Tom, who asked cheer
~, well, how do you do now, old fell
owp" But turned from him, for could
lot help thinking Of him as had seen
i'm last reading my will down in the
away and encountered my
arling little Minnie, who sat unobseryed
a q remote corner of the room, and felt
h, SO grateful and happy at seeing her
here. / felt then that it was not all o
ream.
] have used feigned names in this vera
lous tale because think she would not
Ike to know the strange experience which
ID me to take courage to WOO and by and
= wed her. Exchange.