Cruel As The Grave

"'Have I said anything wrong? I did not mean to do so. I am sure I beg

pardon, if I have,' faltered the young cousin, looking from the pale

face of Mrs. Dubarry to the troubled countenance of Mr. Dubarry.

"'I am very sorry if I have said anything wrong,' repeated the little

cousin, in dismay.

"'No, no, you have said nothing amiss; but it is a very painful subject;

let us drop it,' replied Mr. Dubarry rather inconsistently. And every

one around the table silently wondered what the matter could be.

"When breakfast was over, and the husband and wife found themselves

alone together, Mrs. Dubarry seized his arm, and whispered: "'Oh, Philip! the spectre has not gone!' "'My dearest Alicia! you have not fancied that you have seen it

lately?' "'No, no; but she has seen it! Kitty has seen it always following

me! She took it for a real girl, as I did at first!' "What could Philip Dubarry say to all this? Only one thing: "'My darling, I cannot have your nerves shaken in this manner. You had

no such visitations as these while we stayed at Williamsburg. And so to

Williamsburg we will return immediately. Tell your maid to pack up this

afternoon, and we will set out to-morrow. No objections, Alicia! for I

tell you we must go.' "She saw that his resolution was fixed, and she made no opposition to

it. She rang for her maid, and gave the necessary directions. And then,

feeling very unwell, she sent down an excuse to her company, and retired

to bed.

"At twelve o'clock that night, while the young people were enjoying

themselves in some round game in the drawing-room, and Mr. Dubarry was

doing all that he could to promote their entertainment, the whole party

was startled by a terrific cry coming from Mrs. Dubarry's chamber. All

paused for a breathless instant, and then rushed tumultuously up the

stairs. At the door of the bed-chamber, Mr. Dubarry turned around and

waved them all back. Then he entered the chamber alone. All seemed quiet

there then. The moonlight came flickering through the vine leaves on the

outside of the open window, and fell fitfully upon the face and form of

Alicia Dubarry, who was sitting up in bed, staring straight before her.

"Mr. Dubarry locked the door before he approached the bed.

"'Alicia,' he said, 'my dear Alicia, what is the matter?' "'It is doom! It is doom!' she answered in an awful voice, without

removing her eyes from some object between the foot of the bed and the

moonlit window.

"'Compose yourself, dear wife, and tell me what has happened.' "'Look! Look! for yourself!' she cried, her finger extended, and

following the direction of her eyes.