ts knees, sometimes again drawing itself upon
its feet; but holding ever on with the pale shroud floating backward in
the wind.[B]

[Footnote B: A well authenticated fact.]

Suddenly, in turning a corner at a slightly relaxed speed, the cartman
felt the hold upon his waist loosed, and turning, he found that his
frightful passenger had vanished, when or how he knew not, but then and
there he drew up his horse, and vowed never to take another cholera
subject to the grave-yard, and so run the risk of having the ghost ride
home with him; and he kept his vow.

Guly lay upon the bed in the gloomy room up stairs, himself suddenly
smitten with the fearful disease. He was alone, his only attendant
having gone out to procure medicine. His thoughts were dwelling upon the
sad events of the day, when suddenly the door opening into the alley was
swept back with a hasty hand, and the pale figure of Arthur, robed in a
dampened shroud, sank down at Guly's bedside. The boy started wildly up
in bed, with a natural pang of terror darting through his heart. But the
next instant, the panting voice of Arthur, faint, but in its old
accustomed tones, fell upon his ear, and Guly listened in mute wonder.

"Oh, Guly, oh, my brother, behold me thus strangely cast back from the
grave which was yawning to receive me. I thank God I was spared the
fearful doom of being buried alive! The coffin burst, the shock, the
sudden rush of air restored me, and I found myself awakened from a
fearful trance, sent back to life and earth. The lesson has been
fearful. But my close approach to death may yet prove my salvation. Give
me my clothes to robe myself while I talk to you."

Guly pointed silently to the clothes which hung upon a chair, where they
had been placed never to be worn more. He also extended a bottle of
cordial to Arthur, bidding him drink and be strengthened.

"Now, Guly," said the elder brother, as, once more robed, he bent above
him, "Let me remain as one dead to you, I am going far from you; but I
am a changed being; fear not for me, I shall commence a new life, and
when I return, I shall not cause you to blush for me. Guly, farewell!"

Guly threw himself into the extended arms, completely overcome with his
emotions.

"Oh! Arthur, I can scarcely realize this strange and sudden restoration;
but now that God has given you back to me, do not leave me, do not
desert me, stay with me; let us learn to be happy in our old love and
our old ways.