The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-10-30
THE PHANTOM HAG.

one OF the party telling a story. As the
accounts grew more horrible the young
ladies drew closer together.
''Haye you ever had an adventure with
a ghost2'' said they to me fDO you not
know story to make US shiverY Come,
tell US something"
81 am quite willing to do so, - replied
at viii tell you of an incident that hap
pened to myself.
Toward the close of the autumn Of 1883
I visited one Of my friends subprefect Of
little city in the center of France. Albert
was an old companion of my youth, and
had been present at his wedding. His
charming wife was full of goodness and
grace. My friend wished to show me his
happy home, and, moreover, to Introduce
me to his two pretty little daughters.
was feted and taken great care of. Three
days after my arrival I knew the entire
city, curiosities, old castles, ruins, etc.
Every day about 4 o'clock Albert would
order the phaeton, and we would take
long ride, returning home in the evening.
One evening my friend said to me:
8 Tomorrow we will 20 farther than
usual want to take you to the Black
rocks. They are curious old Druidical
stones on a wild and desolate plain. They
will interest you. My wife has not seen
them yet So we will take her.
The following day we drove out at the
occupied the back seat alone. The wealth
er was gray and somber that afternoon,
and the journey was not very pleasant.
When we arrived at the Black rocks, the
sun was setting. We got out of the phae-
ton, and Albert took care of the horses
eve walked some little distance through
the fields before reaching the giant re-
mains of the old Druid religion. Albert 8
wife wished to climb to the summit of thu
altar, and / assisted her. I can still see
her graceful figure as she stood draped in
a red shawl, her veil floating around her
" How beautiful it is But does it not
make you feel a little melancholy said
she, extending her hand toward the dark
horizon, which was lighted little by the
last rays of the sun.
The afternoon wind blew violently and
sighed through the stunted trees that grew
around the stone cromlechs; not a dwell
ing or human being was in sight We
fastened to get down, and silently retraced
out steps to the carriage.
" We must hurry said Albert 1.-THE
sky is threatening, and we shall have
scarcely time to reach home before night.
I'VE carefully wrapped the robes around
his wife. She tied the veil around her
face, and the horses started into rapid
trot. 1t was growing dark; the scenery
around US was bare and desolate; cIumps
of FIR trees here and there and furze bushes
formed the only vegetation. We began to
feel the Geld, for the wind blew with fury.
The only sound we heard was the steady
trot of the horses and the sharp, clear tin
kle of their bells.
Suddenly felt the heavy grasp Of a
hand upon my shoulder. I turned my
head quickly. A horrible apparition pre-
sented itself before my eyes In the empty
place at my side sat a hideous woman. ]
tried to cry out. The phantom placed her
fingers upon her lips to impose silence up
on me. l could not utter sound. The
woman wss clothed in white linen Her
head was cowled. Her face was overspread
with a eorpselike pallor, and in place Of
eyes were ghasUly black cavities.
81 sat nobionless, overcome by terror.
-" The ghost suddenly stood up and leaned
over the young wife. She enoircled her
with her arms and lowered her hideOus
head as if to kiss her forehead.
g What windr cried Mime. Albert,
turning preoipitate1y toward me. My
veil is torn
AS she turned felt the same internal
pressure on my shoulder, and the place oc-
cupied by the phantom was empty. I
looked out to the right and left-the road
was deserted; not an object in sight.
p" What dreadful galel' said Nine. Al
bert Did you feel it2 I cannot explain
the terror that seized me. My veil was
torn by the wind as if by invisible
hand. I am trembling still.
8 Never mind, said Albert, smiling.
Wrap yourself up, my dear. We will soon
be warming ourselves by a good fire at
home. l am starving
81 cold perspiration covered my fore
head a shiver ran through me, my tongue
Glove to the roof of my mouth, and I could
not articulate a sound. A sharp pain IN
my shoulder was the only sensible evidence
that was not the victim of a haIlucina-
ton. Putting my hand upon my aching
q in - clc k hat
wrapped around me. I looked at it. Five
perfectly distinct holes-visible traces of
the grip of the horrible phantom I
thought for moment that 1 should die OF
that my reason should leave me. 1t was,
think, the most dreadful moment of my
life.
Finally I became more calm This
nameless agony had lasted for some min
utes, and I do not think it is possible for
human being to suffer more than I did
during that time. As soon anI had recov-
cred my senses I thought at first I would
tell my friends all that had passed, but
hesitated, and finally did not, fearing that
my story would brighten Nine. Albert and
feeling sure my friend would not believe
me. The lights of the little city revived
me- and gradually the oppression Of terror
that overw helmed me became lighter.
So soon as we reached home Mime. Al
bert united her veil 1t was literally in
SnESQs ADPeu TO IIQ my c1ObneS WnOA8
and prove to myself that it was all imag-
nation. But no, the cloth was torn ia
five places just where the fingers had
seized my shoulder. There was no mark,
however, upon my flesh, only dull pain.
Il returned to Paris the next day, where
1 endeayored to forget the strange adYen-
ture, or at least when I thought Of it I
would force myself to think it a halluci=
nation.
1.-The day after my return received q
letter from my friend Albert. It was edged
with black. I opened it with a vague fear
. His wife had died the day Of my re-
turn. Exchange.
A Story of Scott.