The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1928-03-16
A Ghost at the
Wedding
(Copyright.)
BY H. IRVING KING


hearth while outside the winds OF
winter blew about the old house,
moaning at intervals as IL for the
death of q vanished summer time.
There came tap at her door and
girlish voice asked: "Auntie, may |
come in?"
"Come in," said the old lady in a
strained voice. Fresh and glowing,
her eyes sparkling, her whole face
and form the embodiment of youth
and health, Lucy Camden came In.
what do you think Of him,
auntie?" she asked with an air OF
confidence that no one could help
but think well Of him" The strange,
haggard look which Miss Lizzie
turned upon her niece startled the
girl. "Why, Aunt Lizzie" she cried,
what Is the matter? Are you ill?"
"No, child, I am not III; / was only
thinking" was the reply.
Lucy had recently returned from
stay at one Of the beaches where she
had been the guest Of friends, and
where she had met Albert Longley.
When Lucy had confded in her
aunt that she had met young man
at the beach In whom she had be-
come deeply interested" Miss Lizzie
saw how things were at once. At
the mention Of the name Of the for
tunate youth the old lady gave n
little start. 'Longley? Longleyf
Where is he from, Lucy| Lucy
named distant city and Miss Lizzie
unused awhile and sighed. The Long
ley she was thinking OF was long
since beneath the sod Of grave In
the Philippines. Il am an old fool,
Lucy" said Miss Lizzie at length.
do you really love this young manT
"Oh, yes-that Is, think so,' re-
piled Lucy looking down bashfully.
And then looking up quickly and
smiling brightly, "Oh yes, auntie, l
am sure l do" Her aunt embraced
her, and kissed her, and blessed her !;
and prayed that her love would have
a happier ending than her own.
But when Albert had called, when
she had been brought face to face
with him, she received a shock; he
was so like that Herbert Longley OF
long ago who lay dead in the far
Pacific isles. She had gone TO her
room to sit before the fire alone with
her bitter recollections. Now, when
Lucy came in brimming over with
her enthusiasm and love, Miss Lizzie
looked at her out Of past which
was filled with the tragedy of her
lonely life. She had brought up the
orphaned daughter of her only broth
as those alone can cling and love who
have only one person to love and
cling to in all the world. Lucy,
she said at length, what was the
name OF this young mans father-do
you know"
"Why no, auntie," replied Lucy,
"Albert has told me but / don't re-
member now. Why do you askf"
Nothing. nothing" said Miss Liz
zie. run along to bed now-I want
10 De alOue.
Lucy. wondering at her aunt's
strange mood, went to her bed to
dream of youth and love; and the
older woman turning, her gaze once
more upon the fire, looked back into
the past. She saw youth, of whom
Albert was the very image, youth
bearing the same family name, wor-
SHIPPED by her as Albert was now
progress OF their love-making and the
night Of their engagement; and how
happy they were. Then came the re-
morseful recollection of their quarrel
and their parting In anger, and Her
bert's departure with the flags flying
and the drums beating for the cam
paign In Cuba.
She had never seen him since; hid
den behind the curtain, she had seen
his regiment march by as they de-
parted for the war with Spain. Aft
er Santiago he had gone to the Phil
ippines; he had taken his discharge
there after the war, married and set
tied down as a planter, she had
learned. And there he had died.
After his embarkation for Cuba she
had written him q letter full Of con-
triton, asking him to come back to
her; and he had sent 1t back with
the words "Too late" written across
It, And here was his son in love
with Lucy and Lucy with him. All
night Miss Lizzie lay awake, think
ing the situation over.
Next morning she said to her niece ::
lucy, l suppose you and Albert will
be getting married soon?"
"Yes, auntie," replied Lucy, with
your consent"
The next time Albert called, Miss
Lizzie was more composed when she
met him. did your father die In the
Philippines?" she surprised the young
man by asking suddenly In the midst
of a conversation.
"Oh, no." replied Albert, father
died In California. l had an uncle
who died in the Philippines. Uncle
Herbert. They say l look like him.
Did you know Unc'e Herbert?"
slightly" said Miss Lizzie.
How small this world is" was Al
bert's far from original remark-and
then they began talking Of other
things. Albert and Lucy were mar
ried three months later and Aunt
Lizzie was at the wedding. And for
her there was ghost there, also !;
but still she was happy In the hap
piness of Lucy and Albert.
A school inspector said to pretty