Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-10-27

grew 30 dark that could not see the words
Then my friend said to me, clay down besid,
me, Greystock, and rest q little while; yor
must be weary, and need no watching now
1t will do me good to see you quietly asleep. .
was very weary, and in my happy conf
dence of his safety, I obeyed, and had scarcely
flung myself upon the pillow ere slumber over.
took me- How long slept know not, but
was awakened by q low moan, and lifting my
head saw Robert sitting upright, gazing through
the window
"Bob, dear Bob >" calculated, ''what is ths
matter?" = -"
~ committed sacrilege," moaned my friend
s'and this is my punishment. Robert, she hat
been here again. Put your arm about me- and
let me die upon your shoulder"
Horror-stricken, supported him upon my
breast called to God for aid, and prayed fol
one smile, for one more word from those pale
lips, but all in vain. The voice was hushed
forever; the eyes grew CLASSY, the cold hand
stiHened in my own, and the white moopligh,
fell upon dead mans face, as / pressed my
last kiss upon his lips.
Have you ever watched beside the dead, dear
reader? Do you know what it is to see form
which once was full of life and mirth lay like
marble block before you? All sweet emo.
tions frozen within its sunken eyes, and those
chaDgeful and well-loved expressions which
charmed you so in life settling into that fixed
and rigid smile which, even in its beauty, seems
to forbid your gaze, and tell you that your past
in what lies there, is blOtted out forever Oh
if you know the grief Of such a scene 1 need
not tell you what felt as the hours of the mex,
sad night wore on towards the morning
His watch lay on the mantelpiecc, ticking as
busily as ever. Oh how strange it seemed, to
think its masters hand would never rest upon
it more! looked upon it; the hands were
pointing to the hour of three-the night was
over, and the miserable day was close at hand
l turned away and walked toward the win
dow. l was alone, for would not permit an
other to share that vigil, and the tears trickled
slowly down my checks as paced the floor
just then, heard once more that low mel
ancholy moan, apparently just without the
easement, and starting back, held my breath
to listen. BY the faint light of shaded taper
upon the table saw the window open. 1t was
French window, and turned upon its hinges
like door, and, as it unfOlded, a figure crossed
the sill and stepped softly in. 1t was that o!
woman, dressed in white garments, and /
saw, as she erept stealthily towards me, that
spirits ever came to mortal man one stood be-
fore me now.
The apparition advanced, and 80 did T.
Horror gave me courage, and / grappled with
it. held it in firm, unshrinking grasp, and
found that it was solid as thing of flesh and
blood, and that it mOaned and trembled as in
terror. Should 1 call for aid This thing,
living or dead, had killed my poor young
friend. No fevered imagination conjured up
the form and face, which he believed was OF
the other world. Here it was, powerless in my
hands, and would exercise it or die. While
stood irresolute, the light of a taper cleaned
from out the darkness, and saw a man stand
ing by the open sash. He looked upon the bed
and the still thing beneath its snowy covering,
md ba ha;p r II
then whispered:
"For Gods sake, don't hurt her, sir! She
does not know what she is doing-she has lost
her senses 20
"Who and what is this being 7'' asked ;
land why does she come to the chamber of
death at this silent hour9 You must tell me,
for she is already murderess.''
" She is my wife," said the man; 1--WE have
lived In the next house for ten years, and all
that time she has been mad. She has not had
her senses since her only child was burned to
death in the same fire in which she lost her
hand. She was always fond of peeping through
this window, and had not the heart to hinder
her. But one night she saw the doctor, poor
fellow, doing something with hand, which,
suppose, he had brought from the dissecting
room, and has been wild ever since. l have
not been able to keep her from the window. or
even from this room for, you see, she thought
the hand was her own, and wanted il back
Three times I've followed her and brought her
back-once when she had the jar in her arms
and was bringing it away. God help her she
would not harm any one give her to mo, and
let me take her away"
l let the wretched creature 60, and he took
her about the waist very tenderly
"Do you know what she has done ?" asked
No." replied the man. +" To my knowledge
she has done nothing"
"Nothing Is that nothing ?" I asked
pointing to the white couch. That is her
handiwork She killed him. Her presence
frightened him to death"
g hope not, sir, ;" said the man. -.
81 speak the TRUTH" muttered, bitterly.
Take her from my sight. oh. why did not
"Why did tarry on the roadside while my
dwelling was in flames, and my wife and child
enveloped in their midst? Why is this woman ,
once 80 good and beautiful, senseless ma
niac!" said the strange man, sadly. at was
Gods will sir. and we cannot alter it, Good
night May He comfort you
And thus speaking. he led the wretched wo-
man through the window, and away over the
sloping roof, with the soft, caressng kindness
OF lover; while l, sinking upon the floor, gave
way to wild and bitter burst Of grief
Enough. my tale is done. In lonely grave
yard, far from the city's hustle, white stone
marks the grave Of Robert Redlaw, the victim
OF one OF the strangest condolences which ever
yet has been recorded upon the book of fate.