Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-09-17

Mrs. Rhodes, in subdued voice.
"Now it's coming," said Leigh Hunt" Last
night he was more emphatic and determined
than ever. Nothing but the strange tale you so
proyidentially told me yesterday, encouraged me
to deny the request; but, indeed, he was so ter
ribly pcrtinacious, that am afraid | cannot
much longer resist"
What did he want to do" inquired Mrs.
Sherman.
"Why it is so absurd, am half ashamed to
tell you!!'
"Nousensc you should have no secrets from
me; have none from you. What WAS his
request? 3"
He wanted to swaddle me!
"To what?"
"Why, 10 wind an immense quantity of very
broad tape round my limbs. He said it was
fancy of his"
"How very absurd and yet, don't like it."
"He has at least for the last dozen nights,
lust as was in my robe de nuit, and was about
to step into nv bed, implored me to allow him
to wind this immense roll of broad tape, or mar
row bandages, around my limbs; but what
makes me think it so very mysterious Is, that
last night he told me that if ever broached
SYLLABLE of the subject to even my dearest friend,
he would kill me. He said it was fancy OF
his, and that he never would rest till he had
gratified it,"
aGood Heaven said Browning, she must
have been n vampire"
NV dear friend" cried Mrs. Sherman, "a
straDee-horrible suspicion has come over me
but it is so vague, that cannot reduce 1t into
words"
o But what am 1 to do!" asked the poor lady,
| IN n nifoDnc
aLet me consult Mr.. Sherman ;" cried her
friend. -,
"Not for the world" almost shrieked the
wre,ched woman. "He will kill me! Oh he
looked 80 horrible last night, ain afraid of him
all nv love is turned into terror, into hatred.
Would that had died ere lad seen him !" A
flood of tears came 10 her relief.
aAfter long consultation it was at lengI IN
agreed that Mr.. Sherman should be let into the
secret The result of his advice was this: In
the first place he placed the very worst construc-
ton upon the mysterious request OF Mr.. Rhodes
and declared tha. if his counse! was notfollowed
he should acquaint The police with the whole af'
fair: in addition he expressed his conviction
that this strange proceeding Was the key to the
mysterious death of his previous wives ltwas
therefore concluded that Mr.. and Mrs Sherman
should conceal themselves in large closet II
Mrs, Rhodes bedroom, and watch what took
place. Somewhat excited and relieved Mrs
. Rhodes went to her home, and had scarcely fin
isbed her evening toilet, when her husband re
turned. He had brought a handsome present t
her. necklace of pearls, and seemed anxious tt
! eff;,ce the recollection of his threatening tn,
night before, and to ingratiate himself in her at
feclons.
t "They passed pleasant evening, and after
i light supper, Mrs. Rhodes as usual, retired t
), her chamber There she found her two friend
a in the closet, ready for any emergency, MI
8 Sherman having dagger and brace of smal
pistols loaded with balls, in case of terribl
F.; necessity
5. aThere was glass window in the cupboard
which had been whitened over-Mr. Sherma
: had, however, scraped enough away to see wha
o took place in the room. Mrs. Rhodes havin
bid them good night undressed-and was abou
If stepping into bed, when her husband entered he
chamber-he was in high spirits. By provo
s king accident he placed his swinging mirror RICH
+. against the door, so that Mrs. Sherman coul
d not watch his proceeding. They were conse
IS quently obliged to trust to their sense of hcal
o ing"