The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-12-22
From the New York Weekly.
A Story Of Nights.
BY MAUD ,1ER1pErn.

/ M .7l I0Ir-lF.o r.FIHr To-
' BY MAUD MEREDITH.
"Come, Joyce, you limited of a story con
nected with that interesting pair l saw il
the gallery the other day. This disma
night is Just the time for it."
Very well I'm ready. Ed told me not t.
spread it, though
"rI keep dark, honor bright Go on, ole
fellow r.H p. 3.. Ga
| /" Well, We were a jolly party there a
The Oaks that summer. Harry Seaford wa
splendid fellow, and they entertained roy
| ally Among the rest was Ed Laneton, al
old college chum. Of course there was thu
usual number Of lovely girls, among whom
Sadie Seaford shone preeminent. 1t ST
happened that Ed fell in love with her i'm
mediatcly, though none of US knew it
Sadie had so many admirers, and | suppose
he had little of that proud humility We
| read of, for he never intruded himself upon
her notice.
| In about month we all left for new
scenes and pleasures, though I think we all
enjoyed the boating and picnics there better
than the flirting at the Springs after ard.
Well, Harry prevailed on Ed Laneton to
remain-they were old cronies-and anoth,
er, a DR.. Audley, physician who he ina,
| gined had saved his life in New Orleans the
winter before Edgar hardly knew whether
he was rival or not. But that Sadie dis
| liked tile dark browcd doctor was plain to
be seen. No one knew him or his niece
dents, but Harry had invited him there in a
fit of gratitude, and thought much of him.
Ed was little suspicious of him. and
| don't wonderful, dark, handsome, with
eyes penetrating, almost fierce at times, and
a,mouth telling of passions uncontrolled,
and an iron will. He possessed peculiar
fascination over many, especially among the
| gcntler sex-though, confess I've felt it
myself. s....,
As may be supposed, the two gentlemen
had no affection for each other.
One night in August it was shortly after
midnight-a wild shrek was heard re-
sounding through the house, bringing every
Upon search, Il servant, ladies' maid,
was found in the upper hall, lying upon her
face, insensble. When restored to Con-
seriousness, the frightened girl could only
give the information that in the dim moon
| light she had seen figure all in white Gid
ing along the hall. Struck dumb with ter,
ror, she watched it enter noiselcssly first
Miss Sadie's room, then an nnoccuped
room. 1t did not reappear, and then the
frightened girl found voice to scream
"Oh, it was Death l knew it was!
Some one will die soon. and &c laid out in
that empty room. Oh. this fated house -
the superstitious girl moaned. While the
doctor strovc to quite her excitement, Mrs
Seaford hastily sought Saddles room, half
fearing she knew not what. But there lay
the beautiful girl in heavy sumbcr, I'M
awakened by the noise without.
A week passed away. Nothing more was
seen of the midnight visitant At the end
of that time an expensive seal ring of DR..
Audley's disappeared, together with certain
yaluables of Sadies-a chain and lncket,
&C., while the servants whispered strange
stories of white robed ghosts that walked
through the grounds at night.
Soon after, business called Harry away
for short time, and he persuaded Ed Lane
ton to accompany him. When at the end of
fortnight they returned, change in Sadie
was instantly recognized Pale, nervous,
languid, the luminous blue eyes before brim-
ming over with mischief, now met theirs be-
seemingly. DR.. Audley had been gone dur
ing their absence, and was expected back
the following day. When alone Harry
questioned her in regard to her altered APP
pearance. She burst into tears.
"Oh cannot tell l do not know! But
Harry, if you want to save your sister, send
that man away. He is coming here to NOR
row His presence Expresses me like
dark cloud hanging over me; cannot help
it, but it will kill me-
Sadie Seaford, what do YOU mean, DR.
Audley? Why child, you must be crazy
He is a man among a thousand. / value
his friendship too highly to throw it aside
for girls foolish whim He has not been
here since we left How can he have any
thing to do with your pale face, and heavy
eyes?"
"Oh. / cannot tell how, but he has he
has. wish knew, l think am going
crazy, brother, as You say and with sigh
she left him.
The next day the doctor came Sadie
kept closely to her room. Harry had
wonderingly repeated their conversation to
Ed. whose only reply was, Harry that
man needs Watching and TU watch him."
That night was oppressively hot, not
breath OF air stirred the leaves outside his
window, as Ed lay tossing. unable to sleep,
haunted with thoughts of Sadie, and her
pale face. Presently the ripple of water
came to his car-the light plash of oars out
in the bay. He looked out Trees conceal
ed the view, but at length he caught CLEAN
of something white gliding along the water.
Unmindful of the ghosts" he hurried on
his clothes, and passing over the ratings, let
himself down by pillar of the piazza, and
soon made his way to the waters edge: but
nothing was visible the water of the l,av
lay calm and unrufied, the moonlight SHIN
mering over all. Not sound disturbed
the stiffness. Hurriedly he sought the
b'at house. There lay the skifs, upturncd
as usual, and there Sadie's dory; but. ah-
1t was wet almost dripping as it lay up
turned in its accustomed place. Discover.
ing nothing more, he returned to the house.
The door stood ajar. Wondering who was
out beside himself, he was seeking his room.
when he came suddenly upon Dr. Audev.
who started little at first, then cody said
"Laneton, is that you? Let's 90 down
the garden and take smoke. 1t is so in.
formally hot, can't stay here
They proceeded quietly below Not I'm
til they were seated did Ed. Laneton sneak
Then 81 1l.I. 81
Have you been cut before tonight"
He could almost feel the scorchinr look
the other gave him as he answered, .
"Ycs."
"On the bay, in Miss Sadie's dory?"
Yes"
who was with you, DR.. Audley p
No one. Why, you are regular chate-
;hlst. No companion but my cigar and
he MOON"
Were you dressed in white 2" continued
Ed earnestly.
MAN, are you sure you're awake 2" ieered |
his companion in the same tone. "Sec here
you have been dreaming. Late supper, | |
suppose. But really, Laneton, had Just
come in, just as you see me now. You had
better takea narcotic and 90 to bed.n
THANK you" said Ed Dryly, and retired,
satisfied that there was some reason for the
ervants' stories, and resolved to ferret ont
he mystery. He loved Sadie, and loneed
ell her so, but something prevented. He
must soon leave The Oaks" DR.. Audley
vas to go in q day or two.
II won't ask her till he is out of the way,"
hought Ed, as he sought his pillow. sand
I'll soon be rid of him.
The next day Ed dispatched to the city
or an experienced detective, Lawson, who
rived in the city quietly at dusk. Laneton
hen sought Harry, told him all he knew
nd feared, and insisted ON bis watching
hat night with him.
vi course Harry was astonished and in
reduous, but would not refuse. f
Promising the detective, Lawson, to obey
I'M in all things, especially to keep quiet
nder any circumstances that might arise.
icy took up their watch. They did not
atcl, in |