Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 August 1875 — ANASTASIA’S GHOST. [ARTICLE]

ANASTASIA’S GHOST.

How well I remember that dismal November night. Some vague presentiment of evil weighed upon my heart, as I sat alone in the twilight. And yet there was nothing apparently to make me gloomy. On the contrary, I ought to have been more than usually cheerful; had I not received a delicious promise from Kate Nelson that very afternoon ? It seemed odd, to be sure, that a grayhaired old widower like myself was to marry this girl of eighteen. Her mother had been a housekeeper in our family, but died soon after Katie’s birth. So it happened that she was adopted by us, as we had no children of our own. My wife treated her kindly but without much warmth of feeling. Anastasia was of such a peculiar disposition that I actually believe she was jealous of this infant. Poor Anastasia! she warned me solemnly on her death-bed never to marry again, and threatened to rise from her grave in such an event. Katie was in her tenth year when my wife died. I sent her awavto a boardingschool ; and, as business called me abroad, did not see her again until my return, eight years afterward. I was somewhat bewildered to find a lovely woman instead of the little girl I had left in short dresses. Of course you can guess the sequel. I fell in love with this charming adopted daughter. There was something in the frank tenderness of her manner that completely w T on my heart. It was evident that she was deeply attached to me. I could not help seeing how much higher she valued my society than that of my nephew, Charles Raymond, who had accompanied me from abroad. She never addressed him except in monosyllables, and would flush all over with embarrassment if he but entered the room. But with me she was always selfpossessed, and so talkative and sociable that I could not help pitying Charlie. He was really good-looking, and I used to wonder sometimes at her antipathy. Poor fellow! How I dreaded to tell him of my approaching happiness. It would be a great blow to his hopes, for he expected to inherit my fortune. Katies wasn’t a bit like other girls that I had ever known anything about. Instead of blushing at my confession that afternoon she turned pale and shivered as if struck by a sudden chill. I noticed, too, that there was a strange quiver in her voice when she finally consented to be my wife. I was apprehensive that Charlie had told her what Anastasia had said on her death-bed. And yet I could not believe he would be so inconsiderate. Some how I couldn’t forget that warning. Anastasia was a remarkable woman, and would surely keep her word, if ghosts are permitted to walk the earth. Thinking thus, I began to grow frightened at the shadows in my room, and hastily rang the bells for lights. “ Why are you so late, Bridget?” I asked, snarply, as the servant entered the room. “ Indeed, sir, and it’s meself that’s been with Miss Kate every blessed minnit, and she’s almost kilt with a pain in her head.’! Could this be the result of our conversation that afternoon ? Considerably startled, I questioned Bridget eagerly. Charlie came in while we were talking. “ Katie ill ?” he said, with a shadow on his brow? “Is it anything serious, uncle ?” What business had he to take any special interest in Katie ? “ Only a headache,”! answered, coldly. “ She is subject to such attacks. Bring in the tea, Bridget.” “We shall have a lonesome evening,” Charlie sighed. I half believed that he was in love with the girl himself. It was cheerless, though, without Katie. I missed her bright face behind the teatray. Charlie left his cup untasted. My jealousy was aroused ana I watched him keenly. As soon as we were alone I said, halfangrily: “ What is the matter, Charlie ? You look as if you hadn’t a friend on earth. I didn’t know, before, that you liked Katie so well.” The crimson leaped up to his very brow. “ I am glad that you do,” I continued, hastily, “ for you will soon be connected by the ties of relationship. She has promised to be my wife.”

“ You are jesting, uncle,” he said doubtingly. “ I was never more serious in my life,” I answered. Charlie showed evident signs of agitation. “You have no right to sacrifice that oung girl,” he said bitterly. “You are old enough to be her father. Of course she accepted you .from gratitude. How dare you think of such a thing?” “No wonder that you rave,” I replied, with a mocking smile; “ you are disappointed of your inheritance.” At that moment the wind gave a fearful shriek outside, and I thought of Anastasia. “Are you not afraid to marry again?” Charlie inquired maliciously. “ You remember the warning ?” “ Nonsense!” I answered; “ it will take something more than a ghost to frighten me out of this marriage.” I had scarcely finished speaking when there came a gust of wind and a crashing of glass, and the storm actually swept into the room. We glanced around us in dismay. The boughs of a large elm tree that stood in front of the house had fallen against the window. Charlie gave a peculiar look as I cowered over the fire, and then barred the window in such a manner as to keep out the rain. A strange gloom enveloped us both, and we did not return again to the subject we had been discussing. Our conversation was fitful, and it seemed a relief when we separated at bedtime. There is no use denying that I was troubled a little with superstitious fears. I peered anxiously into every corner of the room before retiring, but I found no sign of my mysterious visitant. I had such a fear of the darkness, however, that I left the candle burning. • The fury of the storm had not abated, and I lay awake some time listening tothe wind. At last, however, I fell into an uneasy slumber. How long I had slept I know not, when I was awakened by an icy touch upon my forehead. I started up with a thrill of apprehension. The light emitted a faint, sepulchral gleam. 0 horror! what was that I saw? A figure, robed in white, came gliding toward me from the foot of the bed. The face was hidden from my view, but I knew by the form that it was the ghost of Anastasia. “ William Raymond,” came in a hoarse voice from the figure, “I came here to avenge your infidelity, and to drag you down to the grave in my embrace.” I shrieked with terror as I felt her clutch at my throat, and cried, faintly: “ Mercy! mercy!” “ You would marry Kate Nelson, would you?” whispered the ghost, mockingly. “If you do not wish to die” —and here the icy fingers pressed so tight that I gasped for breath —“promise me that you will not marry Kate Nelson.” “Oh, I promise, I promise!” said I, half dead with terror.

“ Woe be unto you if you deceive me!” answered the ghost, solemnly. And I heard no more. It was some time before I ventured to cast a glance around the room. The ghost had disappeared. The storm, too, was beginning to subside; but I could not go to sleep again, for I found it impossible to forget that phantom and its deadly clutch upon my throat. U’resolved to say nothing about it. Of course people would ridicule the idea of a ghost. Nevertheless I did not dare to wed Kate Nelson; yet how could I explain the sudden change of purpose? I fervently hoped that she would not die of a broken heart! What should I say to the poor girl? After considerable reflection I resolved to trust this delicate affair to Charlie. The proposed marriage w r as so odious in his eyes that I knew he would justify my apparent treachery to her if possible. Morning came, ana I arose in a feverish state of mind. How I dreaded to meet Katie at the breakfast table ! But, fortunately, she did not make her appearance. Charlie looked so troubled tlrat I almost fancied he, too, had seen the ghost. After breakfast I said to him with an embarrasment that I strove to hide: “ My dear boy, do you remember what we were talking about last evening ? I have been thinking the matter over seriously, and am afraid that a marriage between Katie and myself will result in unhappiness; but I have not the courage to brave her reproaches. Now, Charlie, will you act as mediator, and make known this change in my views?” “ Why, uncle,” he answered, and I was almost sure that I saw a gleam of mischief in his eyes, “something extraordinary musthave happened; you are not usually so fickle.’” “ We won’t discuss the matter,’ said I, in an irritated tone. “ Will you or will you not grant my request?” “Of course I will,” he replied; “but it is a difficult task. The poor child will be so disappointed.” I detected a joyous ring in his voice, and looked at him rather suspiciously. His diplomatic mission was successful, however. Late in the afternoon Katie came down into the library where I was sitting. I had never seen her look so pretty. “ Oh, Mr. Raymond!” she said,eagerly, “ I am so glad that you have changed your mind! It was so unexpected yesterday. I never dreamed before that you loved me in any other way than as a daughter?* Was this acting? Was she trying to deceive me in her pure and sweet unselfishness? “ Then you never loved me ?” “Dear Mr.’Raymond, you know better,only it was not exactly the kind of love one ought to feel toward a husband. You are as dear to me as if you were my own father, but you are so much older than I that—that ” She hesitated and did not finish her sentence. I remembered my gray hairs with a pang of mortified vanity. Was not the ghostly visit enough ? Must Ibe tortured in this manner afterward ? The veil was torn away from the delusion I had cherished. Alas! I had misinterpreted her childish affection. It might be that she loved another. I looked down into the face where a vivid scarlet glowed, and there read her own secret. “My dear child*” I exclaimed, attempting to control my agitation, “ tell me everything.”

“Oh, Mr. Raymond,” she exclaimed, in confusion, “ Charlie has asked me to be his wife.” The rascal! N o wonder he remained with her such a long time that morning; no wonder that he boasted of the satisfactory manner in which everything had been explained. ‘‘The impudent fellow!”I muttered impatiently. “ What do you answeiychild ? Do you love him ?” W \ Low and very softly came the answer: “Yes.” The heart of a woman is a mystery I cannot fathom. I was certainly outwitted by my nephew. He might have been afraid, however, that my conscience would reproach me if Katie showed her disapappointment. I have little doubt that she loved me far better than she would confess. Ah, well! they were married in due course of time, and we are all living together. The dear children do everything they can to add to my happiness. Katie is still a beautiful woman, and Charlie is certainly the staff of my old age. I never saw the ghost again. In fact, I have good reason to think that the mysterious visitant was a certain graceless nephew of mine who had fallen in love with Katie. Of course I forgave the deception long ago, as it saved me from a terrible mistake. I am much happier, probably, than if I had married the young girl whose heart belonged to another. I am not certain, however, that she did not accept Charlie from pique at my rejection. Any way, he has made her a good husband.