The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-12
THE NIGHT WANDERER.
A FANTASY.


II was a stormy night, and l was tolling over
o boundless, solitary waste: no sign OF human
habitation; no star above in the profound gloom.
seemed to move through an abyss OF blacIness,
the invisible ground rising step by step TO my
feet, L felt 1T impossible 10 persevere much
longer; knees trembled, brain swan, the heart
alternately throbbed and stood still; and as O
fresh gust loaded with icy rain beat cruelty into
my face, exclaimed, ravlng, "Succor me- thou
Evil One, even thou, since Heaven will give me
no add" when at this moment ths sudden
glimpse of light, shining from no great distance
over the level, sent new impulse of hope and
love of life into my blood; and starting from the
ground on which had sunk, fastened towards
1t with quick though stumbling footsteps. 1t
seemed at first to my bewildered eyes like large
fire OF red flame burning unsheltered on the
waste, with indistinct forms moving fantastically
round it; but with forward step or two, and a
more seli-possessed gaze, perceived the radi-
anCe to issue from the windows of cottage at
the door of which ! knocked, and was imme-
dietely hidden to enter by a very sweet voice.
Four well-att1ed young maidens, rising from
their seats around the cheerful hearth, gave me
kind welcome without even waiting to hear my
petition for shelter; a crave silent man-ser-
want was summoned, who provided me with
dry clothing, and arranged a table for supper
in the midst of the room; and ere long found
myself placed tamiliarly in the warm, lively
circle, partakirg of the choicest viands (for
everything was of the most sumptuous and
delicate), and pledging healths round with my
fair entertainers.
All four were beautiful, with some degree of
likeness in each to the rest, especially in that
their faces, if left for a moment unenlivened
with their usual smiles, struck me as beng
almost or altogether eXpressoness. But the
four had many points OF difference in stature
and complexion, while the features OF all were
of the utmost regularity, and their figures
moulded IN perfect proportions. She who sat
next to me, and whose breath mingled with
mine as we leaned towards each other, had
fair hair, and fruit-like bloom upon her
oh and hnr gnft nvnA ~. g.,
scarcely masked by the thin, clinging dress that
followed its gentlest undulatlOns.
As the night wore on (but time, indeed, was
abolished), the delicious goblets, which no one
refused, we're tasted yet more freely; the talk
became more easy; the iesting more familiar.
supper over, we ranged ourselves closer than at
first round the warm blaze, that threw a double
glow upon the bright eyes, rich locks, and
cleaning beauties of the four. From time to
time the servant silently appeared to refill our
cups, and offer us salvers of daintes and again
quickly withdrew. He was of handsome face,
and quiet, dexterous bearing, vet il seemed TO
me that something horrible BELONGED to lin, /
knew not what. When felt shudder, looked
round, and he was in the room. But this uneasi-
ness subdued as much as possible. and stroVe
to forget IL in the attractions of the beautiful
hostess
Whilst we were thus engaged, there came a
feeble knock to the door OF the cottage, which
was direct into the open air from the wide room
IN which we sat; and one of the ladies said
Enter" in the same sweet tone that | had
heard with so much delight. The latch was
lifted, and we were amazed to see standing in
the entrance little child, OF innocent and
bright countenance, with soft natural curls
falling to the neck, who wore a white robe and
had ole hand full of flowers The child's face,
at the first glance, appeared well known to me.
even Intimately familiar. | would have started
up with greeting. but, again, | could not recall
any definite memory, and the face became more
and more strangers the longer l looked and
doubted. But the four ladies' in unaccountable
h1r Town Nd 1000
the little one into the centre of the ROOM In
the first instant believed 1t to be the haste of
eager hospitality; in the next | was undeceVed:
their eyes flashed with anger, their whole coun-
tenances were so distorted as scarcely to remain
recognizable; they moved with malicious and
ungainly gestures. One seized the child's arm
with furious grip, whilst another snatched
away the flowers and flung them into the hot.
test of the fire, which seemed 10 be partly
quenched thereby. A third dashed gobletful
OF wine into the gentle and pleading face.
For my own part, amazement held me, for q
short time, speechless and motiOnless, till was
suddenly reused by seeing that the fourth lady
had caught up sharp knite and was in the act
OF plunglng 1t into the child's bosom. | arrested
her arm lust in time TO prevent the blow, and,
pushing aside the others, took up in my arms
and carried quickly to the door the little white
robed visitor who then slipped from me and
disappeared into the darkness, while | hesitated
what next to do, or whittier to turn my steps;
and in another moment | found round me the
soft arms of my fair companion, and was laugh
inglY pulled back into the room where almost
all traces of the interruption of our mirth were
already etlaced. But the fire, in spite OF many
efforts to revive it, remained sullen and smoul-
derlng.
"a game a game !" cried the beauty who had
sat next me, and the others echoed her cry. We
all stood up, and the game began. r.ch cOlored
scarf was thrown from one lady to another, in
and out turn, while it was my part 10 pursue
the temporary wearer, and to exact a forfeit
rom her, ii caught, which was to be released
afterwards. We entered eagerly into the amuse
ment, growing by degrees more and moro warm
and excited, and the leave taking on which
had fully resolved, was now deferred inded-
nitely. Great art was displayed in throwing the
scarf; sometimes when the wearer was chased
INTO corner, with no further possibility as it
seemed, OF eluding my grasp, she in moment
unWound it from her form, and sent il lying
over my head, to alighJ upon one of the others
who Immediately became the object of my pur-
suit; and 30 unerring was the skill OF each, that
the scarf, which observed to be enwrought with
fantastic and NEUROLOGICAL groups, some of them
strangely, out OF place on such Vesture never
once touched the floor in its Irequent and rapid
flights and lntertwinings. Breatnless, at length,
We paused for an instant. A little white flower
lay at my feet; picked it up, and asking leave
OF my talrest to set it in her girdle she looked
round smilingy but the next moment started
back with shrek and with every sign of horror
IN her lace. AT her bidding | flung the harm
less-lookIng blossom out Of door, nor did She
quite readily resume her selt-cOmmand But
ere long the game was renewed with greater
spirit than before, the pursuits becoming more
animated, and the escapes more narrow AS We
darted to and fro with flushed cheeks, and the
girls dark or yellow hair falling and flying
loose.
She who had heen my neighbor at supper the
slender, round-limbed beauty, had many times
eluded my warmest speed; but thrilling glance
IRON her eyes led me after her now with still
greater eagerness: hard pressed, she bounded