Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-04-13

ing at the threshold. shall come in
and disturb you?"
NO" said Yvette." scrambling hur-
riedly to her feet. almost stumbling in
her eagerness Il was just coming
down
She passed her arm beneath that
OF the intruder. but her heart was
1uitering still as they descended the
stairs Surprising he had been dis.
covered? She needn't have troubled.
dad 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 Yvotie.
CHANGING 10 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 10 let her rummage in an old attic
at the top OF the house. where all such
treasure trove was TO be found.
Yveite was repaid by the rare spoils
brought TO light. Yvette's laughter
and chatter filled 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 dusty
photograph TO the staring housekeep-
er. the photograph OF tall young
man in tweed, with an exceedingly
merry smile.
keeper. III 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 remember"
How long ago was this?" asked
Yvette duly.
Let me see." said the housekeeper.
bordering; "a matter OF 90 years or
more. | should say. was 'iweeny'
maid in those days in this very house.
Many and many time have ! seen
him come riding up to this door He
was engaged TO our young lady-a fine
young lady abe was, too--he was fair
set on her. 1t seemed as II he was fair
keep away from the house. She took
on terrible when he died"
Els she dead, too, them" queried
Yvette. still In that pale. small
voice.
She married a London gentleman
afterward.' said the housekeepers 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 II necessary to
lie TO me?" asked Yvetie very coldly
OF the ghost that evening.
The ghost. who was lounging com.
fortably In his favori,e arm chair. sud.
denly sat upright. His dark eyes lin.
| gered long on her white face.
so. little Yvette. you've found me
out at last" he said quickly. We'll,
had meant TO ring down the curtain
myself on the little comedy long be.
fore this: but was a coward. Yyette.
afraid 10 face the dark, for shall be
very lonely. little Yvette. out there. all
alone in the cold and the never ending
night
But II wasn't me you came TO see.'
said Yyette, standing before him. slim
and dropping. in her white apron: II
was that other girl--ihe one you were
engaged to-"
The chose rose suddenly and came
and stood beside her.
Il came TO see you always after the
first time, he said softly. This first
time admit II was TO revisit the spot
where | had spent my happiest days,
bur afterward-- All. Yveite. no one
has eyes so blue as you. They make
II hard for me to say goodby."
But why should 1, be goodbye"
cried Yvette. sharply. and moved TO.
ward him with extended arms. Ghost
or no ghost. love you!" She strove
to clasp him. but gently he eluded
her.
No one may love the dead" he told
her gently. The dead are beyond love.
they are beyong life. My little yvette.
| II must be goodby."
Then II that is So" cried Yvette.
weeping, "ah. kiss me once before you
go. Only TO feel your arms around
me. only to feel your lips on mine. will
comfort me in all the empty years"
She stopped. A strangled cry broke
from her. a great gulf Of cold air seem.
ed suddenly 10 enyeiop her. She was
frozen. frozen TO the bone: then mer.
ciful darkness came upon her. and she
fell forward on her face.
In after years Yyette married. and
was happy in her choice, but she
never loved her husband as she had
loved the ghost--The Sketch.
Snowstorm In London.