The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-27

| woman, who hovers round the place like az
| antient Rhou, and IL scarcely hostess for Mis-
| DaSarchett, so let me beg Of you to dismiss such
an idea from your mind. and be content 70 remsir
here for one night. very much fear" he added
smiling, you let your courage play traitor tC
your prudence when you acceded TO such pro
posal."
Really Mr.. Stanton appears in new character
to me this evening. | am disappointed, am sorry
to say, snd,n laughing sarcastically, shall have
to believe that women were originally endowed
with the stronger spirit Of the two sexes. The
| idea of men giving heed to sensational stories "
Much more followed between the two. occa.
sionsy joined by the others, until they became
quite warm, Agnes tantalizing Mr.. Stanton with
distinctions on his bravery, and jesting at his su
perstition and timidity, whilst he endesvored to
dssuade her from her undertaking, even at the
| risk of mourning the imputation his courage.
| II twas ground ess. she knew. for in the late O.
Col. Stanton had proved himself one OF the
brasest of Southern sons.
To account for his presence, 1t is only neces-
sary TO say that he and Agnes were all but de.
| clared lovers. and that business calling him 10
| Vicksburg, he left New Orleans on the same
| steamer with his three friends, and finding they
l would have to remain all night on the whsnbOat.
| concluded he would remain also, and enjoy their
| company till the next steamer passed.
Notwithstanding her seeming Indifference and
reteratioDs to be left alone, Agnes had relied on
having his company as guard and protector, whilst
| she kept her promise of sleeping in the house.
| Her disappointment, therefore, was great, (al-
| though woman like. she didn't show it, when Mr..
| Stanton said:
"Very well, Miss DuSarchett, since you have 20
| poor an opinion of my courage. will incur your
| contempt by Offering my protection, although
such was my intention and earnest desire. / could
| have wished to be allowed to accompany you and
| remain as sentinel without to assure you by my
lspresence that none could trouble you, but from
your words, such care is unnecessary"
Totally, sir. And now, Nettie, 1t is time for me
to be going, you and your brother may accom-
pany me there and then return to sit up all night,
whilst will be enjoying comfortable bed"
Nettie groaned, and commenced to beg again,
but Agnes stopped her by pointing out the beau
ties OF the night and the pleasant walk they were
TO enjoy.
They set out for the house, about half dozen
OF her friends accompanying her, eager to see if
Agnes really would stay when left alone. A short
walk brought them to the outer gate, and entering
IL, they proceeded on long grsveled walk, at the
end of which fell the dark shadows OF the mansion
gloomy. deserted spot it seemed, indeed. As
cending the steps Of one of the wings of the house
they knocked loudly, but with no effect, and see
ing a dim light in the room, they entered and
found the old negro woman Mr.. Stanton had men.
toned, half asleep over the embers Of fire.
She got up on seeing the visitors, and present
ing an honest, well meaning face, said:
" Good ebenin, young marsters and missesses !;
I'm 'sprsed to see you here. but if ye want any
thing old aiys got, jest tell her and she'll give
il to yer.n
Harry told her one of the young ladies wished
to remain there all night, and she must get room
ready Immediately. 1t was some time before she
could be made to comprehend him, but when she
did. she promised to take the young lady to the
best room in the house.
snow, Nettie, as you have seen me safely
housed, you can bid me good night and return
with light conscience. while / go to my room
and sleep. for ! am tired"
Oh you heartless creature, don't stay here
but come back with us ugh. I'm afraid TO look
and att ia chn1A cd c1a alr,nr 20 la
brothers arm in real terror.
Nonsense, Nettie, shant think of anything
but going right to sleep, SO good bye all of you
its time TO retire."
They told her good night. and reluctantly left
her to herself. When the last one had left Agnes
felt thrill of loneliness and dread she scarcely
cared to acknowledge, but shaking il of, she mo.
toned to Milly to bring light and show her to
the room she was to occupy and. preceded by
the old woman. through the damp, dismal hall,
assembled winding staircase to the upper hall,
and stopped at the second door.
The best beds In here, Miss; the suns had q
more chance TO get in this room than any OBJ de
res" said Milly. Saying this, she fumbled some
time at the door, and finally opened it, bat in do
ing so, knocked out the light A monetary fear
made Agnes gasp the arm of the old negress,
but recovering herself, she said
Never mind, auntie, don't be frightened, l
che brought from the boat. Striking light, they
entered, and placing the lamp on the mante piece,
Agnes surveyed the room.
1t evidently was the one that had belonged to
the late Mrs. Archer, for there we're many little
ornaments scattered around, she naturally sup
posed, belonging to refined and delicate lady.
There were, beside, many homogeneous articles
placed there for safe.keeping-work box basket,
vases with remnants of dried leaves. were scat
tered round the room; the walls were hung with
paintings, smong which was one representing the
face Of satyr, that particularly attracted the
attention Of Agnes. Around its mouth played a
demoniac grin; its eyes seemed fixed on her,
watching her movements and following her to
whatever part Of the room she went. Near the
fireplace was an easy cushioned lounge on which
Agnes could almost fancy she saw the form of the
invalid. The tall, square bedstead looked like a
funeral pile, its silken hangings faded and COW
cred with dust and cobwebs. Every article of
furniture (of the costliest kind) must have
remained undisturbed since the death of its
owners, for the room was damp and humid
reminding Agnes of the charpel houses of which
she had often read-but she was going to sleep
here, and having cheerful fire made, aud every
necessary preparation for her comfort, soon re.
covered her equanimity and usual spirit.
Old Mllly now said:
Use got some work TO do down stairs. honey,
and I'll go now and finish it, and then Ill bring
my mattress and sleep here with you; but I've
never slept here afore, case this old niger
wouldn't like to see sperrits, but can't let such
a sweet young lady as you stay by herself. SO
please leave de door open, Miss Agness, for |
don't know when Ill get thr0'."
Agnes said, Every WELL" and drawing up a
large armchair before the fire. sat down to think
on her novel position. There she was alone in
this great house. with its reputation of being
haunted. Suppose there was any truth in it. what
would become Of her! Why did Frank Stanton
take ofense at her foolish bsntering, and why
didn't be insist on coming with her?
She looked around the room, and her glance
again rested on the weird face OF the satyr; there
v as look Of life and intelligence 10 the eyes
startling TO behold, as they seemed to answer the
earnestDess of her gaze. Turn as she would those
eyes still followed her. 1t was too high for her to
reach, or she would have been tempted to pull il
from its place. By its side was the sweet. sad 4
lace of Amy Archer, clothed in her bridal raj |
nents, whose fairness only heightened the grin |
hing darkness of the satyr, and reminded Agnes |
hat the original might have been victim to some |
uch hi1eous demon as that represented beside
ler.
"This will never do" thought she. al am sit
ing Up too long, and looking too much at that
lOTrid picture TO make my dreams very pleasant.
wish felt as sleepy as when | first entered, but
low am "a wakefu as If it were morning."
She threw herself on the bed and tried to CON-
pose her mind TO sleep. She had almost succeed
ID when she was reused by slight rustng |
'ound. To the excited mind the slightest causes
)ften increase to mountains of disturbance, and |
- the sound increased, succeeded by violent