The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-02-07
THE HORROR IN THE HOUSE.

No. 23 Gayland Terrace only differed fror
the other numbers in being larger and NOR
commodious. Some years before my first re
membrauce of the place, it had passed int
the possession of Mr.. Archbold a wealth
merchant and ship holder of Birkenhead, VIII
furnished it in style of surprising magnifi
cence, and adopted il as his regular summer re
sort. The death, however, of a widowed sister
Mrs. Annesley, who resided with him-an ev
ent which occurred in their second season
gave him n distaste for the spot; and placing tn
house, with all it contained, in the hands Of tn,
nearest agent, the merchant returned to his us
ual home. Sumptuous fittings and a moder
ate rent insured a constant occupation; and il
the seven years that succeeded Mr. Archbold,
departure, four families in turn inhabited tht
mansion--two for n seaso each, one for two
and one for three successive years. All these
especially the latest tenant, Mr.. Upton quitteC
it with evident reluctance; that gentleman ev
en- leaving with regret the mansion which hac
witnessed the illness and death of beloved
daughter
No. % was vacant when l first took copni
zance of Gayland Terrace; but the notice to lei
speedily disappeared, the chimneys smoked
the windows opened, flowers blushed in the
balcony, while silver voices and laughter be
trayed the presence of fairer flowers within. A
lady with five daughters had taken the house
Their names was Calender. The husband anC
father was captain and part owner of an Eas
Indiaman, had already realized q handsome
independence, and was at this time on his voy
age home.
| brighter group / never saw. Mother ant
children had all the same clear, dark complex
ion, light-black tresses, and crown luminou,
eyes-gipsy beauty refned-and what can be
loYher? Pleasant voices and silver laughter
hear them still, as linger with my hoop be
meath their window, waiting impatently fol
my chosen lady, of the Band, Bud May
Rose, Lilly, Violet (they were all named af
ter fowers) Poppy and May-each of them wa.
charming, after her particular manner Bud
Violet, think, was the greatest avorite; Lilly
AID Poppy were darlings; but the real queer
OF my affections was, as / have limited, BuC
NAY, vino was, besides, the merriest of the
| band
''What is that on your forehead, my swee,
N1ay!' asked her mamma, suddenly, one morn
ing, as my favorite entered, and sat down te
breakfast
May passed her hand across her brow, and
looked up brightly.
"Ah, its gone" continued her mother, laugh.
ing.
wv hat was it mamma! wasp
"A frown, my love, and such one as new.
er saw on my forehead yet, least of all my
Mays" replied Mrs. Calender, with a rather
puzzled expression.
May, on her part, looked thoughtful and
somewhat troubled, but quickly resumed her
usual demeanor; and nothing occurred for sew
eral days, till, one morning, Nurse Goodies,
while attending on her mistress toilet, hemm-
ed and spoke; 81 beg your pardon, ma am, bur
have you especially noticed Miss May?"
Noticed her? Especially? No. Why do
you enquire, nurse?"
| She grows thin, ma am, that's certain; bnt
sue eats and drinks, and sleeps and plays as us
nal. l can't make out that the dear child is i'll:
| yet, somehow, she's not herself For DAYS to-
gether she will seem much as usual; then agaiu
| III moment--'
Nurse stopped.
What do you mean?'
There comes look upon her that makes
me quiver!" said nurse, with a preceptible
tremor. Il never see such a thing-I never
| did"
Good heavens, nurse!' exclaimed the start
led mother recalling the frown at breakfast.
wv hat car have effected hea?"
"Its odd replied Nurse Goodies, but she
dusenC seem to know it5herseif! l wish ma am,
you would come and look at her sometimes at
night. l see the expression more strongly then;
and sometimes she speaks a word or two | can
not understand"
Her mistress promised to do so, and kept
anxiously watch upon her darling the entire
day besides; but May was gayer than ever, and
gave her no opportunity Tor remark
lpasscd that afternoon, which was wet, in
the house with my young friends, and we had
game at hide-anG seek, during which lime
May contrived the most ingenious hide of the
day, being rooted ont at last in a great apart
meIt on the ground floor, in which there was
q o. aOpII in ciu RI oh
the batied hunters had sat down more than
once in consultation, not dreaming shat the
crafty little maid had removed the bloster, and
substituting for lther own slight person. con.
ceaied herself to perfection with the pillows
and coverlet.
| All the luxurious appointments of this richly
furnished room-known as the Angel Chamber
but more particularly the bed, were objects
of considerable admiration. The bed was OF
foreign manufacture made unusually low, cary.
ed, gilt, and inlaid at the foot with malachite
The canopy was crowned by an angelic figure
Iexqlsitely moulded, from whose arms, extend.
ed IN an attitude of protection, and from whose
Ihaif-opened golden wings, descended the rich
hangings of azure silk, which completed the
drapery, couch worthy of queen.
When that merry day was over, and the tir-
ed children had gone to rest, Mrs. Callendel
stole quietly up to Mays little chamber anC
found Nurse Goodies standing by the bed. Muse
put her fingers to her lips, and looked mourn
FULLY at the tile sleeper. Her mistress eyes
followed hers. There was the same strange
frown she had once already seen. Now, too, the
lips were drawn back, the teeth set, the inno
cent face wholly changed, and wearing an ex
preston OF mingled horror and disgust mex
i pressibly shocking to contemplate. Mrs. Call
ender scarce recognized the child.
Presently she murmured some indistinc
sounds. Mamma put down her ears.
They are rushing at me-rushing, rushing
again! Angel, oh Angel" gasped May.
My child!-my May!-what is it? Wake!'
criedsthe terrified mother, casping her.
May woke, and the expression passed as tho
" mask had fallen She sat up, smiling per
iecIly composed, and kissing her mother, asked
what was the matter
IL thou9ht you were sleeping uneasily
my love-" said mamma half fearing to see th,
look return. WAS it dream?"
AN, remember" said May, lightly.
some creatures came flying at me all round
breaking like black waves against the bed;bu,
he angel stops them always"
Missy slept two nights in the Angel Room
soon after we came, explained nurse, "auc
had the same dream there"
But don't mind it," said May, "Its-itt
that Other-"
l., ASSEA
her face again, but she covered it with he
hands.
Mrs. Calender sat down beside the bed anC
motiened nurse away; she was bent n finding
, out the mystery.
what other" Mayi My little girl, yor
have some trouble or fear. Confde in mama
What i it?',
May was silent for moment, holding he
mothers hand, and mechanically counting he
white fingers. Then she said:
Mamma, cannot tell. Something is wrong
, With me-ibatI know! but indeed, canno
describe it, 1t is sensation so quick. SO sud
Gen, hat, almost before can feel how honibl,
it is, 1t IS gone! It's neither taste, touch, no
smell, yet is something of all three. l should
not mind 1t SO much, however, but for a q sor
Of spasm of sickening horror that comes will
it. II Is as ihough-as thoogh some wicked
thing has touched me- added the little girl, ii
low voice, clasping more tightly the hant
t she held
Mrs. Ca:lender's heart beat faster; but sh
T was firm and sensible woman, and addresses