Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1865-04-05
4 TROUBLED TENANCY.

The strange story which am about to
relate, embraces short period at the close
of October, 1862
|, Henry Marstor. solicitor, then AGED
Is years, had just returned from CONT
mental tour. Before leaving town | had
arranged finally toquit the chambers which
had previously occupied there on COM
Ing back, therefore, | was, for a time, a
homeless man
! Under these circumstances | gladly
availed myself Of kind offer made to me
/ ny an old friend brother of my partner.
He invited me to take up my abode at his
house, which was situated in a village
twelve miles from the city. Here he ass
sured me, | was heartily welcome to re-
main until could find new quarters in
town. Although he and his family 1vere
now absent from hone, be wrote begging
me to make myself comfortable, adding
that he had instructed his servants to show
me every attention.
inclination, 10 less than necessity. led
ME to accept the invitation Healthfeld
was my native village; and, although my
relatives had long left the neighhorhood
several friends of my boyhood still resid-
ed there. There was for me, moreover,
another and a still stronger attraction to
the place
! had scarcely stepped upon the plat
f,,.,,, Of I,
old chum Of mine discovered me, and. af-
ter few minutes conversation begged
me to come to a ball at his fathers house
that evening 1t was his sisters twenty
first birthday, and there would be a large
gathering of our common acquaintances
must excuse the brevity of the notice,
for be was determined not to let me off.
1t was a brilliant entertainments and
found it enjoyable. | soon discovered
among the guests the lady whom ] most
desired to see, and ere long Edith Arnold
was by my side, evincins, as | hoped, by
her manner, pleasure in my society
similar to that which l was myself exper~
iencing in her own. l secured her rs
nv partner for several dances and ]
f.ncied that she never looked so happy as
when claimed her, nor so sad as when |
resigned her to another
Encouraged by these tokens of her
favor, | began TO entertain the idea Of
making TO her ~ important declaration.
Such a treasure as Edith could not, I felt
confident long remain unclaimed If
would possess her, / must lose no time
Again she leaned upon my arm.
There Is, / remem bered, "a tide in
the affairs Of men" Rejecting thus,
drew my partner into the conservatory
which opened from a saloon adjoining the
dancing room.
We paced this conservatory for scme
time in company with many other couples
The retreat was likely to be popular, for
it had been arranged for the occasion with
much taste, and its genteeI aspect was
beautiful ard elegant in the extreme Col~
ored lamps shonc like glittering gems
above, while fountains flung up diamonds
from beneath, amidst foathcry fronds and
scented blossoms.
But gradually the promenaders thinned:
and al length, although after what space
cannot say, | found myself alone with
Edith led her to the couch which had
been placed at that end Of the conserva>
tory furnished from the drawing room, and
seated myself beside her
Having pr ceeded so far, l confess
found it difficult to advance further, and
an embarrassing silence convincej ME that
/ was bad hand ut making an offer
When at last opened my lips, it was on y
80 experience, with painful vividness, the
truth that
Words. ike Nature half reveal
And half conceal the soul within.
Ny falterirg, roundabout observations
seemed just rudely to sketch the outlines
of my passion, and at the same time gross
lv to obscure its finer lineaments.
Meanwhile Edith listened pensiycly-
As drew near to the climax of my ad-
dress, ] naturally turned TO watch her
face. And l might well be pardoned for
seeking inspiration and encouragement
from such source Adequately TO paint
those eyes and checks an artest would
nave needed 20 dip his pen.iI into pig
mentS of summer sky and Of molten ap-
pIc-bIossoms and the fair forehead
cleaned ont amidst ripping hair like a
pearl from an entouragc of golden fret
work The countenance altogether was
indeed one of rare beauty.
The conservatory for the most part was
lined with blinds, which shut out the au-
tumn night and pleasantly enhanced the
light within Near Us was door CleadinC
to the carden) which hal not been thus
veiIel, but which was left exposed that it
might be readily opened for ventilation.
Thus. as l turned, the uncurtained en-
trance became visible to me.
IN an instant there apeared, amidst the
blackness, 4 horrible appartion-that of a
wild. unearthly face, surrounded with pale
draperv, and glaring upon me with an ex-
,,rasS;,r, n,sIavoIent and feaaish in the