El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-15
The Auburn Hair
A Short Story.

EANY years had passed since I
M had heard from my old friend
@N@ and college chum Jacques Oar
vile. One day, however. Unexpectedly
received a letter from him in which he
told me that he had just been married,
had bought a chateau in Brittany and
now wanted me to visit him and meet
his wife.
Not very long afterwards I called on
friend
he said and slapped me heartily on the
back. Come inside and I will introduce
you to Angelique."
He had changed since saw him last,
though he was a little more dignified.
We passed through a magnificent hall
to a tasteful furnished salon, where we
found Nine. DarvilIe waiting for US
She was a beautiful woman with q
wealth Of golden hair and big gray
eyes, and she received me in the most
charming manner.
The chateau was a very large and
very old building. but remarkably well
preserved and an ideal country home
for man with money enough to keep
it in order. My own room was very
large and coy and a bright fire was
blazing IN the immense fire place. The
furniture was very Oh and would have
delighted a connoisseur. An antique
dresser Of solid mahogany particularly
At the dinner table I asked Jacques
where he got it and he told me he had
found II in one of the rooms in the
Oldest part of the castle and had it
polished up and repaired.
After dinner we sat down in front of
the big fire place in the hall and talked
Of our college days Jacques asked me
if remembered how we had PLAYED
ghosts and scared timid fellow stu-
dent out Of his wits.
I am sorry to say that I don't think
We have any ghosts here to amuse you
during the night" he continued. 'aThe
castle is old and full of historic in
terest so it ought to be haunted. but
we have never noticed anything su-
As he said this happened to look at
his wife. who looked pale and scared
so 1 began to talk of other things.
A little later Nine Darville arose and
Il believe Ange1ique is a little nerv-
ouss said Jacques when she had left
US, put really there is nothing to
frighten her here. 1 never heard of
this place being haunted
We talked together until nearly mid
nlght and then went upstairs.
II was blowing gale outside and
threw some more wood on the fire. I
was half undressed when 1 heard a
IaAat rustic and turned my head to see
what 1t was. I had a peculiar feeling
OF not Delng alone In the room and
was not mistaken, for at the old dresser
stood a beautiful woman dressed ac-
cording to the fashion of the 18th
century IN pale blue gown trimmed
win lace She wore a small lace can
bald
She took no notice of my presence
Whatever, but examined the dresser
very carefully, evidently without find
Ing WnaI she was looking for and
tnen she suddenly disappeared through
the locked door. The apparition made
very strong impression on 1ra bIIt
ness decided not to say anything
ABOUT 1t remained at the chateau
several nights without seeing her again !
dAu Wuen L returned to Paris I had al
most forgotten the strange incident
ABOUT q year later Jacques wrote
me Inat he had made up his mind to
sen the castle and asked me if he might !
tIleAS me q present OF the old mahogany
dresser had admired so much. he and |
MIne- DarV1lle had intended TO travel ]
Tor year or two.
" course I accepted the Gift sUitb
thanks and few days later the Sresse go |
stOOq IN my bedroom. That first night
ne ne Dd4Q woman appeared once more /
I = -e,- ssaln opened all the drawers of the |
dresser and seemed greatly agitsfed |
When she did not find what she was
looking Ior. went Up to her and eT |
ahmed the dresser very carefully hon |
ing 10 lind a secret drawer 7 IISss - /
disappointed. A cleYerly hidden S9riSos !
opened a compartment and SUI jda5 /
expression Of relief came into nv faj-
Visitors face. lar
sod, put my hand inside and drew out a
sealed parcel, yellow with ave Ttis
l opened and found within a Tic. % ms ms
Durn hair I stood for some time stI,d d
ing TINS object, and when I glanced nm
Iouno the ghost looking at me with
an expression of reproach In a r,oo,n1St
1 understood the object of her sesrob
ana returned the parcel to her. she -
Warded me with a sweet smile and 5iS-
appeared nave never seen her since.
md every convenience possible is nro
,lded Tor the health and comfort of
he animals that occupy it. u
IomorroW-Needles and Pins.