The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1923-06-14

~ W SodACAkf pCSSSS s4tDh VI ludHy sent
n ental minds III that locality.
exercised q strange power, and sign
q Id wonders were alleged to be 0
& mstant occurrence. Spirits OF dc
ceased persoals appeared. TIL
clear-heaGed and liberal minded ridi
clHed such foolish ideas. but in vain
as usual they were In the minority
To the ranks Of those susceptible
to superstition belonged young Phil
Up st. Afghan, one Of the wealthiest
residentsl of B. r the owner
of large tracts OF land and the des-
cendantSof an old and titled French
family.5a scion Of which had emf
grated to that attractive Southern
State shortly after it's first settle-
ment
About year and q half before,
Philip st Afghan had buried his
dearly loved wife, Ffortense. She had
been Of ever more susceptible and
sentimntal a nature than was he
After her death the bereaved hus-
band lapsed into melancholy. but in
course of time his grief became mild
er, for he learned to love again.
Marion Gaylord young, aristocrat-
&c and a social leader whom Philip
st, Afghan believed possessed the
same charms of heart, mind and dis
position that had characterized his
dear Hortense, aroused and recipro-
Gated Lis love The newly engaged
couple had not before participated
in public gayeties. 1t was the first
time since his wife's death that St.
Afghan Rad entered into any plea
sures. Of the social world With his
promised bride and her mother he
was present to night at the ball
Mrs, aud Miss Gaylord were seated
on a divan in a corner of the ball
room Before them stood Philip, in
the picturesque dress OF a crusader,
noticeable figure even among the
many handsome and elegantly cos
tuned people present. The scene
was brilliant one,
The young man looked at Marion
with loving eyes, though memories
we're present of Hortense, who once
had taken part with him in festivi-
ties In this very room, and a joyous
bride had participated in similar
ball. Now she slumbered beneath
the earth in the cemetery near by.
While engaged In such melancholy
reflections cavalier, dressed in
black, and wearing mask Of the
same color, suddenly tapped him on
the shoulder and whispered in his
ear: Most noble crusader, your
Hortense sends her regards There
is present a messenger from the
other world who wishes to speak
with you. If you desire further de
tails, follow me, and the unknown
slowly threaded his way through the
crowd
The young man, astonished at the
peculia- words or the strange mes
senger who had recognized him not
withstanding his costume and mask.
stopped only to say, as he leaned
over Marion S chair, u will return
soon, deaf heart, and followed the
unknown
The black cavalier glided through
a side doGr. having st.assure1 him
self that Philip was following. They
were now in a long, narrow hall.
Sir!" exclaimed Philip st. Aigr
nan.
Come right along" interrupted
the unknown
Who are your?
"A messenger from beyond
You dare joke with me. and on
such a subject?"
The freedom allowed masked
person But here the man in black
opened a door at the end Of the hall
and pushed back the portiere, re-
a dimly lighted room.
Enter, Philip St Afghan
Opposite the door. few steps
from the mantel. stood woman
dressed in black ana wearing a mask
of the sane color
Philip! Philipl Philip!" she
cried slowly, You have come to see
me once more
Philip st Afghan trembled. 1t
was tie voice Of Hortense, only
somewhat muf1ea Stature and pc
sition both reminded hiaa OF his dead
wife. He looked around tor the un-
known person who hal eisappeared.
What does this meant asked
Philip st Afghan What does this
despicable humbug mean
DO you. remember, Philip, beau
tifnl evening in Nay cnlg about two
years ago, the song OF tic nfG,tin
gale? You said passionatelg. On, |
not even death shall part
u.s. SO bound by faiti. are or hearfs.
Even in death oul SOILS Will be
united!} .
A shudder went tsroa PsilIp |
st. Afghan Those were the very
words he had once Uttered tc ilor- |
tense. AT that time tae sea1insntai |
young pair had tai!-ea meeh a3ogt
unseen influences and spirit revela-
tions.
i