Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-12-22

wanted him to study law. to es, .blish
himself well before settling down.
Then his uncle sent for him to come
to California-it was such good
chance for him-he would come back
in two years and claim me. You know
how l waited. Anna. Just before
father died I tried to tell him, but he
was too Ill. SO, having no mother. I
kept my own counsel and no one ever
knew. Then, when Howard wrote that
he was coming home and that we
would be married on Christmas Eve, I
made my preparations. sent out my In
vitations and looked forward to very
happy Christmas. Christmas came and
went. but no bridegroom! Weeks
later letter came. saying he had been
injured. had fallen from his horse; he
had also lost his position-he had
given up the law-he would wait
year. perhaps. then he would have
home for me. AS time passed. people
whispered that my lover had tiltea ne.
never told them 1t was worse than
that-that my husband had deserted
was no one to sympathize. except you.
dear, and I was too proud to tell you
all. left the little town that had
known my humiliation and went to
Radville. where have liv' a ever since,
where they know me as .diss Rollins.
the little old maid, and they don't
know l ever had romance in my llfe
Tonight 1t all comes over me till
I am angry with my own weakness
In the room where l am writing is a
trunk with his initials on one end-a
mere coincidence. of course, but
would like to blot out those letters
my eyes keep turning to them and"
Miss Rollins laid her pen down
moment; her hand was tired and she
stopped to rub 1t little. Then she
heard slight noise was It the closet
door? Oh. how foolish! 1t was nearly
one o'clock and she vas tired and
nervous-she would let the letter go
for tonight and finish 1t in the morn
ing.
She took the paper from the desk
and started to rise, then sank back
with a little scream and the paper
fell from her hand. P:Iore her stood
a tall man with smooth shaven face
und iron-gray hair: he was very pale
and stream of blood trickied down
one side OF his face! He was stand
ing perfectly still. looking at her; he
made no move. and after that one lit
tie scream she could not have uttered
sound. How she reached the door
shc never knew, but she managed to
get to her room and lock herself in.
"The ghost!" she whispered to her
self, "have I seen the ghost, or was
1t imagination? My nerves must be
| in terrible state-I cught to have
gone to bed: no. It was not imagination
Il surely saw something, white
faced. bleeding man! Oh. 1t was
dreadful! He never movcd-just stood
there looking at me with piercing eyes
and the blood trickling slowly down
his face. ] shall never forget IT."
She lay awake for hours and was
too Ill to rise In the morning. Kate
brought her some breakfast and. see
Ing her white face. exclaimed:
"Lor', Miss Rollins, you look like
you'd seen the ghost!"
IT have!"
The words came OF themselves al
most, but she went on:
II was nervous and tired and I
thought l saw something last night,
but OF course It was all a mistake
don't say anything. Kate. I wouldn't
have any one know I could be SO fool
ish. Now. go to my trunk. will you
Katie. and bring my gray flannel wrap
per; I think I will sit up here in the
rocker a little while before dress. l
shall be all right at dinner time"
Kate went for the wrapper. but. to
her surprise. the door Of the third
story back" was locked. Thinking
Miss Rollins must have locked 1t and
taken the key. she was about to start
back toward the little hall room. when
she heard groan. With scream she
ran into Miss Rollins room and shut
the door.
"what is the matter, Katie!"
1.-THE ghost. ma'am-he's in there
now. heard him groaning!"
"oh. what an old simpleton was to
frighten you with what said! Come,
I'll go with YOU"
But the doors locked. ma,am; we
can't get in. and l know heard some
thin in there"
Here there was light tar on
and the poor girl fairly ,shiv-
... until she heard Mrs. Bowen's
voice. then the door was pushed open.
What is the matter up here?
was on the floor below and heard a
scream"
"This foolish girl says she heard
some one groaning In the back room.
She is afraid to go in there for me-"
"The doors locked; l can't get in,"
the girl muttered.
"who could have locked It? I'll go