Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1863-10-24

ing his finishing touch!' They all pro.
tested that they had seen no one enter the
Tent, nnd begged for an explanation, but
lchoose to let them remain in their nys.
uhed condition. A mysterious conci.
dence, at least. was 1t not ? Does it por.
tend any,hing?'
TO me il would have been terrible cir.
eums tance. and 50 l told him in nv reply;
but my brave hero knew not the meaning
Of fear.
f. At last after reading the precious epis.
tie over am ashamed to tell how many
times, | sought the bedside Of my uncle,
and endeavored to render the long sum.
mer afternoon less tedious to the dear suf
teter. Lie was aged, and the natural in.
tirm'tes of bis years had been hastened
aud increased by a slow, ncurabe disease.
How my heart went forth toward him as,
with loving hand, l brushed back the
beautiful silver locks from his temples
longing that my touch might heal as we'll
As soothe. Ere long he passed into
tranquil slumber, and carefully adjusting
the sashes so that the soft breeze might
play reireshingly about him, slipped
noiselessly into my chamber.
And now, at this point, must become
minute, and perhaps even tedious in de.
tail, for have strange story to tell and
wish faithfully to relate the strange occur.
rences OF that right.
There was but one other boarder on
the second foor of Mrs. Homes house be-
sides my uncle aud myself This was
stern, unsociable man named Foster, a
bachelor, who always returned my cheer.
full GOOD morning" with an unnoved
face and jerky bow, as though his good
angel had suddenly pulled some invisible
string to prevent him from seeming the
surIcy fellow be really was This grutr
parsonage stalked up the stairs and into
bis room soon after had entered miLe-
! Oar apartments were at the back OF the
house. and adjoining, though his, being
but small chamber at the end of the
hall, had its door standing at Il r: ght angle
with my own. | could hear him moving
hriskly around his room for awhile, aud
finally, as | arose to close my door. saw
him emerge, carpet bag in hand, aud dis
appear at the turn Of The stair way. Soon
after there were other footsteps in his
chamber, apparently those Of two persons,
and could hear my laudlady's vcice say.
ing. in her usual indiscreet over tone,
There is no other way; We will have
to try poison, though dread the eouse.
quences.'
Then there was some muttered reply,
and a discussion ensaed. through which |
could plainly distinguish the words "uo
fail -" children -" horrible -" The
/ a
get out of bed -" no, it better here"
| etc, etc.
just then uncle's hand bell ,inkled out
! It's familiar summons, aud | FASTENED to
his bedside.
Fanny" be sad, "cant you make it
u little lighter hcrc7 I've had one of nv
Ugly dreams, and want to be certain
you re all right
I" To be sure | am uncle dear" re.
! joined, cheerfulIy, at the same time light
ing the gass near the head Of his bed
lis that too bright for you y
No, no; leave it up--so. Now come
tell me what you have been doing this
afternoou.'
Should tell him everything? No
| He would either oe distressed at his own
vous fears. So ! replied, at the same
, time lifting small table nearer his bed,
preparatory to bringing up his supper
Doing, uncle? Why, have been
here with you most of the afternoon, and
before that was reading letter from"
. .Ah understand. Well, it's ell my
own fault for ever letting that fellow with
the buttons have word to say to YOU |
shall have to hire some fat old nurse in
year or two, while you'll be sporting
around with that scamp--hey p
My only answer to this was u laughing
threat to 20 to the young scamp at once
II nncle were not more respectful though,
at heart, felt quite resolved that, mar
ried or single, should never resign my
self imposed duty of nursing him.
"Well, we'll" said uncle. "you've al
ways been such good girl shan't be
hard on sou. See If it's timo for my
mixture
mo, not for an hour yet You must
take your supper first
Very we'll. Don't put any butter on
the toast to night; and if the chicken is
as tough As it was yesterday. bring up
something else
les, uncle.
On nay way from the dining room with
uncle's supper, could not resist the temp
ta,ion Of taking look into Mr. Fosters
apartment. So resting my tray in VA
cant niche at the head of the stair,
turned his knob; but the door would not
open. 1t was locked. and the key had
been taken away. Thrust partly under
my own closed door was pencled note
from one of the lady boarde.s. requesting
that, if my patient were we'll enough, |
would pass the evening ir her room. Well
pleased 1T the prospect Of a cheerful Cos.
sip with Mrs. Grays delightful family, |
resolved to avail myself of the invitation
after my uncle bad fallen into bis usual
| slumber, aud so lost no time in attending
to my evening duties.
1t was nearly half past eight before
found myself in Mrs. Gray's pleasant par.
lor, and by this time the beautiful after.
noon bad passed into chilly, unpleasant
evening. But We s,nn forgot the outside
darkness in the brightness aud comfort