The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1863-09-25


pity at my misfortune, and regrets that he
consented to my going to Smokieton alone.
But the longer | thought, and the more
tried to go to sleep, the more restless
grew. l turned over and over, but could
not lie comfortably. The top of my head
felt cold, and it seemed as though there
was something terrible near me, which
made my hair stand oi end, and opened
my eyes the moment tn sy were closed.
raised myself, and looked at the head of
the bed, but saw only the white curtain.
1 tossed about for sonol2 time longer, but
still the dread horror ss5ntiaued, and the
fearful cold kept creeping more pereepti-
bly, over me.
At length jumped Up, thinking it was
draught of wind which chilled me, as
the bed was standing So he little way from
the wall. attempted d push it nearer,
but it only moved LITTLE way and then
stood fast. 1 made another effort, it NOV
ed again, and the outlines of human
form were discernable behind the curtain.
1 stood motionless, with starting ewes
gazing at it. / could ndt distinguish the
whole figure--it was moi there. could
not see the head-the Shoulders were even
with the top OF the bdtdstead; then the
arms and body were iasily traced the
feet must be below the curtain, but surely
they could not touch Il floor
1 gazed, fascinated BY that strange sight
until great dread carad lover me, and with
a piercing shrek tut1ed to the door, my
only thought, my only wish being to get
away from the place lpushed against it
with my whole strength but it only sunk
lower and lower in thd mud, below the
step. could not raisdit. NY arm was
nerveless all power hs Il left me. / could
do nothing, but remain where was, shut
up with that spectre bdhind the bed, till
some one came to releaI Ie me. / shrieked
again and again, but nobne could hear me,
| knew, the rain patterH on the roof, the
wind howled mournfullt around the cor
ners, the fire sunk Lowell and blazed more
fitfully, and it grew col der all the time
| turned wildly around land then sank on
my knees in abject h rror, as I saw, by
the Pickering Eight of the dying embers,
human face-purple And swollen, with
starting, blood-shot eJes-4staring at me
over the top of the beds8ad. Above. the
head was a. beam, whii4 ran across the
house, and from the 81 ID a rope came
dals15 5asiaa -.lsdse' siss,se fs-.as vi
1 contemplated the sick ckening sight till
the bursting eye-balls seemed forcing their
way into my 5;,s;a; 5s::;.. end the discolored
face made fearful grimaces, laughing end
at me, as l knelt there, crouch
ing like some abject petitioner before it.
Soon change seemed to come over
everything. | was no longer in this de-
serted house in the far west, but in
bright pleasant room, in some gentleman's
think it was library
for there were shelves filed with books
around the walls. Near table in the
center of the room, stood two persons,
man and woman. could not see the face
IF the latter, but she was writing on the
iy-leaf of book the name walter Tai |
Dot"
L looked at the man. His face was |
familiar. Surely l had seen it
before but not then as now. l remem-
oered it swollen and discolored, with
cleared and bloodshot eyes starting from
heir sockets. There was but little SINH
arity between them This Young mans
,heek was brown and rudhy; his bright
yes were softened by the light of love,
mile of winning sweetness played around
he full-curved lips, while the dark curls,
lustering around his forehead, contrasted
with the matted hair that fell
ver the brow of the other. v..
When his companion ceased writing, he
her to proceed, but her merry
augh rang out denial, as she threw down
Ter pen. He took it, and, STOPPING for
7ard, traced few words then he hand
d her the book, and Lsaw that under
cath his name he had written, in bold
1anly hand, "from his dear Rachel
hat was all. .la 4isYla
In the whole interview, no word had
cen spoken. It was mysterious vision,
rhich-was passing rapidly away. ] tried
D pierce the mist of oblivion that was
iding it from my view. | saw them
landing by the window, looking out at the
right summer sunset. He had taken her
and in his, and his arm circling her
lough they were speaking I could not
ear their words, but saw that as he drew
er closer to him, mournful farewell
listened in the tears that filled her ewes.
lille his right hand was pointing to the
estern sky.
A dark void succeeded this strange dream.
Ihen l recovered my senses, was at
ONE, lying on my own bed, with George T
tting beside me. r
l will not make my story longer. l h
oppose must have tainted after my dis
mper fancy had presented that Ife-pic- c
ire to my mind.
George said he had expected me until
early twelve o'clock, and had then given
@ up for lost; but knowing how useless
~ search for me that night, would be, he a
ID waited until morning, when, with one !,
the farm hands to render any assistance y
at might be required, he had explored =
the roads for miles around. Late in q
e afternoon they arrived at the house /
ID taken refuge in, and knew / must be @
ere when thew found old tDohh;n, t;ad q