Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-29

Dreaming in the dark, as usual" 1t
called, while its owner stood hover
ing at the threshold. Shall I come in
and disturb you?"
NO." said Yvette,' scrambling hur-
riedly to her feet, almost stumbling IN
her eagerness. II was just coming
down."
She passed her arm beneath that
of the intruder, but her heart was
futtering still as they descended the
stairs. Surprising he had been dis
covered? She needn't have troubled.
Had she glanced back into the room
as she came out she would have seen
that. anybody entering would have
found nothing but the twilight and
emptiness.
Some few days afterward Yvette,
CHANGING to be in need of some quaint
garments to help in, the dressing OF
some quaint characters she was get
ting up. persuaded the old housekeep-
er to let her rummage in an old attic
at the top of the house, where all such
treasure trove was to be found.
Yvette was repaid by the rare spoi!s
brought to light. Yyette's laughter
and chatter filed the somber room
and deadened the sound of the rain
outside. But presently the laughter
stopped, and only the rain beat loudly
on the sill"
"Who-who Is that?" asked Yvette,
white Tipped as she held out a dusty
photograph to the staring housekcep-
err. the photograph Of a tall young
man In tweed, with an exceedingly
merry smile.
why, bless me-" said the house
keeper, IF it isn't the picture of the
young squire-him who owned Fox
Craft manor. He was killed out hunt
ing-a terrible stir it caused in the
countryside, l remember"
How long ago was this?" asked
Yvette duly.
Let me see," said the housekeeper.
pondering; "a matter OF 20 years or
more, | should say. l was 'tWeeny
maid in those days in this very house
Many and many a time have ] seen
him come riding up to this door. He
was engaged to our young lady-a fine
young lady she was, too--he was fair
set on her. 1t seemed as If he was fair
keep away from the house. She TOOK
on terrible when he died"
rs she dead, too, them" queried
Yvette, still In that pale, small
voice
She married London gentleman
afterTerd, said the housekeeper. and
had seven children. But have heard
she wasn't happy. She's been dead
these four years or more" she added.
"Why did you think 1t necessary to
lie to me?" asked Yyette very coldlS
Of tie ghost thai evening.
The ghost. who was lounging com
fortably in his favorite arm chair, sud
denly sat upright. His dark eyes lin
gered long on her white face.
so, little Yvette. you've found ME
ont at last" he said quickly. We'll, ]
had meant 10 ring down the curtain
myself on The little comedy long be-
fore this; but was coward. Irette
afraid 10 face the dark. for l shall be
very lonely, little Yyette. out there. al
alone in the cold and the never ending
night"
But it wasn't me You came to see,
said Yvctte, standing before him, slim
and dropping, in her white apron: II
was that other girl-the one you were
engaged to-"
Tie chose rose suddenly and came
and stood beside her.
81 came to see you always after the
first time" he said softly. This frs
time | admit it was 10 revisit the spot
where | had spent my happiest days
but afterward- All. Yvette, no one
| has eyes so blue as you. They make
! it hard for ME to say goodby."
But why should it be goodby?'
cried Yrette. sharply, and moved to
ward him with extended arms. "Ghos'
or no ghost, love you!" She stroye
! TO clasp him, but gently he eludet
/ her.
NO one may love the dead" he tolt
/ her gently. The dead are beyond love
they are beyong life. My little Yvette
it must be goodby."
! Then if that Is So cried Yvette
weeping, "ah, kiss me once before yot
! so. Only 10 feel your arms around
me, only 10 feel your lips on mine. viii
comfort me in all the empty years.
She stopped. A. strangled cry broke
from her, great gulf OF cold air seem
cd suddenly to envelop her. She va;
/ frozen. frozen to the bone: then mer
! ciful darkness came upon her, and SHE
fell forward on her face.
In after years Yvelts married. anf
vas happy in her choice, but she
never loved her husband az she hat
loved the ghost.-Tbs Sketch.
Snowstorn1 In London.