Year: 1878

"Probably no one appeared and she feels
that she is destined to be an 'old maid"


perhaps you are correct" replied Daisy
"but do tell me, whose spirit did you call up
from its peaceful slumber to answer your ques
tions p


"Oh several said they we're here, but were
unable to reveal much" said Nettie.


The next day Daisy was haunted by the
remembrance of her singular adventure in old
Sanco's house. She endeavored, in every pos
sible way, to unravel the mystery in her mind
She thought at one time that it must have
been spirit, which had wandered thither
atanother, that it was an Italian bandit es
capped to this country, for like an Italian he
appeared. Alas the problem was too deep
for her she could not solve it.


One afternoon, just before the time appoint,
ed for Lizzie's and Daisy's return to school,
the latter reclined upon divan in the libra
ry. She was alone. The Goals glowed in
the CRATE. The sun cast one beam through
the parted damask curtain opposite, which
touched the young girls fair brow and kin
died her hair to shining mass of gold. The
perfume which Aoated through the open door
of the conservatory, filled the room with its
deliciousness, and very much soothed her un-
quiet spirit Daisy had been living over
again the remarkable scenes through which
she had recently passed. She endeavored to
console herself With the thought that she
would soon leave the place, and among other
scenes, and other people, the impression made
upon her would be effaced. Almost imper-
ceptibly the long lashes began to hide the
bright eyes, and soon she slept.


The library and conservatory formed an
IL" to the main building. Three doors open
ed into the library one from the body of the
house, another from the conservatory, and
one from small balcony, which was so COW
cred with ivy as to look, at short distance,
like large, green ball. Suddenly the leaves
in this little retreat began to stir. Sure
ly the wind was not the cause of it, for the
evergreens in the yard were perfectly at rest.
The door begins to open cautiously, and a
dark, handsome face appears in the open por-
tai. Gradually the figure enters and ap
proaches the spot where Daisy dreams. He
knees beside her, and his hands are passed
quickly around her slender neck. Does he
intend to murder her secretly7 Something
sparkles upon her white throat-what is it ?
He now stoops and touches lightly with his
lips, the youthful brow of the sleeper. Not
too lightly, however She moves The long,
black lashes are raised. The kneeling figure
rises hurriedly and essays to leave the room,
but too late With smothered cry, Daisy
springs from the divan. She was, for time,
completely parslyzed with astonishment, and
only looked at the intruder in bewildered
manner. His eyes were riveted upon her
face, as if too fascinated to quit, for mo-
ment, the beauteous countenance. There was
unutterable sadness expressed in their dark
Depths Almost imploringly he looked at
the young girl. A sudden idea struck her.
Probably this was some spirit in trouble, and
wanted her to aid him in some inexplicable
manner. She had read of such things. But,
Oh how awful. She assist ghost Sure.
", this was one; for how could human be-
ing appear at such times, and so mysterious
ly2 Were ghosts dumb? She continued to
return his gaze, scarcely knowing what to do
or say.


Gradually he now began to retreat, his
eyes fixed mournfully upon her face. She
wouH ask him what be wished; comply with
his request, if possible, and thus exercise this
haunting image.


With this determination she crossed the
room and stood in front of her strange visitor.
Her courage nearly forsook her, when she
found herself again face to face with the OBJ
ject that frightened her so in Saucos house.
She looked at him timidly. He had paused
when she started toward him, and now waited
as if to note what she was going to do.


"Will you be 80 good as to tell me what
your design is, in following me thus? Can l,
in any way, assist you? Are you in trouble ?"


He continued to regard her, as before, with
out uttering word.


"Oh do tell me something about yourself.
I am so anxious to know who you are! Are
you mute?"


A smile partially curled his speechless lips,
and Daisy wondered if ghosts ever smiled.
Somehow, her natural timidity had fled, and
curiosity had taken its place.


"Please don't keep me in suspense. l would
do anything in my power to relieve you"


She looked up, pleadingly, as she spoke.
What was there so fascinating about the crea-
ture? She felt irresistibly drawn toward him,
as if by magic. Was he charming her as the
serpent does its prey? He caught her hand
and pressed it reverently to his lips. A ra,
diant smile illumed his face, like sunshine
through the parting of clouds. He stepped
to small centre-table and wrote on sheet of
paper:


"Beuutyul Lady: Do not essay to find me out.
have seen you to-day, perhaps for the last time:
May God, in His wisdom, direct you ever; and
if not again in this world may you, in better
and happier one, meet your


MYSTERIOUS FRIEND


Daisy's eye glanced hurriedly over the pen
ciled lines She looked up almost awe.strick-
en-. Was this some spiritual messenger sent
to warn her of her thoughtlessness and utter
Indifference, as to another world. save the al
Turing one in which she lived?


With one more long, lingering look at her,
he gained the door and was soon concealed
by the dark. green foliage.