Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1866-09-01

an instant, which then seemed to relapse into
utter darkness, 30 dazzling was its effect.
What was it 7 Whence could it have como
1t had como from the fire. place side, but ns
VIC know there was no fire there, and gone,
whither7 The door was shut, aud the win
dow also. The three people we're almost par
alyzed for the moment, but Wm. Howard was
the first to recover himself, aud to perceive
that his mother was .fainting
"Quick, Jane! he cried "bring some
water she is fainting; she is dying! Oh
Jane Irvine controlled her own feelings in
anxiety for her mistress, for sho knew tina.
her constitution could little bear such a shock,
and it was not for somo time that she WAS suf.
6ciently recovered to be able to speak Her
first words we're
shall die, shall die within tho month"
No, no, my dear mother; why should
you think 80? Do not talk like that, beg
ofyeg." ,r,,,,
Yes, Willism, I shall die. It touched
me, and know that was ny summons."
That is nero superstition" lie said edo
not let that weigh with you"
But it does, William I cannot helm it.
l cannot disbelieve it. All whom that fearful
messenger touches will leave this worl0 within
a month"
Jane shuddered. Had not tho messenger
touched her too? Willlism did not leave the
house that night, nor did Jane Irvine quit
her mistress side. She spoke very little and
when she did it was with the words Of one
who hours arc numbered. She told her son
where her will would be found mentioned
that she had made in it provision for her
faithful attendant, among other small legacies
which she begged her son to see duly paid
This nc promised, but,added
But, my dear mother, don talk like this
do trust you will shake off the impression
which this has made on your mind Take a
simple explanation Of what you saw and be-
lleve that ii was one Of the curious effects Of
electricity or some other natural phenomenon.
Don't let superstition have suoh a strong hold
upon you"
You ss7 it, William, thought" she asked
You saw it yourself, and it did not touch
your she added eagerly.
"Ns, 1t did not touch me, but saw il
plainly, and Jane saw it, toe"
Yes and it touched me-" said Jane. in a
low tone, not too low, though, for it to reach
Mrs. Towards ears, who raising herself in
| bed, with look of horror almost sternly
asked, Did you say it touched you, too p
Then yeu will die"
Jano Irvine shuddcrcd again, and turned
away ,hu" ',.iiri BY an exclamation fran,
William. Ills mother, after uttcring those
words with an air Of prophetic conviction, fell
back in fit. The doctors came, but their
skill was OF little avail. She never rallied.
| Jane Irvine was most unrcmitting in her care.
| and for days never left her mistress bed ; ot.
| tending to all hor wants, and Watching most
anxiously for CLEAN of consciousness, glance
OF recognition. All in vain. at night she
slept IN the same room, and by day she could
lot be persuaded to leave her, for however
short time SO firmly did she cling to the
idea that her beloved mistress would, wake
once more and revoke the fatal words which
she fclt, had cast a sort of spell oyer her
| Why should sho die? Life was strong within
| hcr--happincss before her. She was not su
| perstitious she would shake off these gloomy
| ideas. Mrs. ifowsr1, che could not but be-
! linvc, would die, but what had that to do with
! the ball of fire?
! She had long been an invalid, and her
| hesltI for tho last year had been growing more
| and more feeble, and she was not likely to be
able TO stand any shock, however slight, Very
naturally, with her temperament, the ball of
hre mad shattered her nerves, alioady so weak;
ana had accelerated, though not absolutely
caused, the paralysis which strikes down the
aged-thonc who have fought the battle of
me- and have no strength left to struggle. =
y bus with herself the case was widely different.
fonhg, strong, With sound nerves, and not
saslly frightened, she still adaittod that what
she had seen sn that particular evening had
certainly, for the time, alarmed her beyond
anything she had over felt before; but now
that was over. These things could be OK
planned BY science Electricity, power she
could not understand, but others did--vo,
that moro wonderful than the Shooting stars
she had so often watched streaming over the
Sky On clear November night? But those
words, "Thcn you will die! clear and din.
sincs as her mistress had spoken them, they
rang in her cars.
But will not believe H." sbo ro.o1,,.olu