Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-07-21

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atmosphere, too, having that disagree
able, stuffy odor which impregnates the
air in all apartments which are not fre-
quently open to sunshine and breeze.
The evening was cold and drear, and my
disappointment at not meeting Clarke,
according to his promise, made me SO
down-hearted that felt ready to burst
into tears; but the curious eyes that
peered at me from doors and windows
were incentives enough for an exhibition
of strength rather than weakness
The landlady came in after awhile,
and invited me into a low, damp room
where the supper was set. The fare was
homely, but indeed acceptable efter our
Hong journey, to both Eddie and me. My
nervous presentment of danger, however,
seemed to gather strength every mo-
ment.
At table was served by man whose
hideous countenance was worse than the
nightmare by jealousy bred" He eyed
me with persistent curiosity in his
gaping, sensual mouth and pale blue,
green eyes, that almost drove me to dis
traction. AS often as / met his gaze
shuddered as from a loathsome touch,
and wished-oh, how wildly for Clarke S
noble presence and his protecting arm.
This abhorred creature, with his horri-
BILE eyes, attempted to pet my little
Eddie, but the child shrank from him just
as did, and ANONYMOUSLY rejected the
advances that were made.
The time for retiring for the night at
last came round, and as it was long past
the hour when / could hope for Clarke
arrival, and as had no excuse to feign
that ! might remain longer in the public
room, rose reluctantly and followed my
landlady out into the hal, and on up the
creaking narrow flight of stairs; for she
gave me an apartment in the attic of the
house, averring, when questioned as to
| the reason, that her house was so crowded
that she was unable to extend more COM
Portable Accommodations Trembling
with ill-defned fear bade the landlady
good night, and standing at my open
door counted the sounds of her footsteps
down the stairs. Returning to the hearth
where few faggots blazed and smoked,
| took Eddie on my knee and prepared
the little fellow for his nights rest.
While was hearing his prayers, he sud-
denly interrupted me:
Mama" he asked, looking up in my
anxious face with his blue, peaceful eyes;
Mama, do you like that man with the
ugly eyes2" -
mo; but why do you ask, my son?
inquired, almost breathlessly.
Because don't" he replied mystic
riously,
"Why not?' | asked, smiling in spite
of my anxiety, at the wise look on his
childish countenance.
Because he snapped his eyes and
turned SO red in the face when he saw
your purse of gold when you took it out
to pay the driver" answered Eddie.
"Nonsense, darling. You must not
suspect people Of evil; it is sad enough
when we find it out"
| stopped and kissed my child, but my
heart beat loudly with a fear found it
impossible to control, struggle with my
self and laugh at my timidity as / would
For long while after Eddie went to
bed, sat musing by the hearthstone,
starting hurriedly at every creaking
sound or footstep / could hear without.
The freight threw long, fantastic
shadows on the ceiling and the walls, and
/ covered closer and shuddered ner-
vously as watched them lengthen. and
darken as the faggots dropped into ashes
At last, prepared for bed, | attempted to
secure the door for the night, but it had
no fastening upon it of any kind or quail |
ity. To retire in that unprotected |
fashion, in a strange house and alone,
was something | could not think of for
an instant. Finally an idea presented
itself which seemed entirely feasible.
Exerting myself to the utmost / pushed
an old fashioned chest of drawers against
the door, and on top of it | piled the two
stiff-backed wooden chairs the room
afforded. After this exertion, feeling
more composed and satisfied | retired
and fell into a heavy slumber.
How long lay there | cannot tell. 1t
surely could not have been many mo-
ments, when | was suddenly startled into
the most intense consciousness that there
was some one in the room beside my lit
tie Eddie and myself, for | distinctly
heard heavy and labored breathing. Ly-
ing there with my startled, wide-awake
eyes wondering how this invisible per-
son could have entered, | glanced to-
wards the door, but the chest of drawers
and the chairs remained stationary as |
had placed them upon getting into bed,
and surely no one could have entered ;
through the door without displacing them
and raising a noise that would have
reused the whole household. ] listened
again to assure myself | was not mis-
taken, and beyond doubt | heard the
heavily drawn breath, and it seemed to 1
emanate from something prone upon the
floor.
Suddenly the awful thought flashed {
across my brain that the hideous son of !
The landlady had entered the room and {
concealed himself before took posses
sion, and this with view to rob me. If I
called for assistance felt assured he |
would spring up and smother me as lay S
With my boy in my arms, and even if my
,ries were heard, in all probability they 1
you'd not be needed. If | sprang to- h
wards the door to make my escape, how
vas it possible, with that heavy chest S
md those chairs against 1t, for me to a
fleet an egress.
/ was almost wild. l felt my brain b
ceiling. All what silent, passionate d
prayers for preservation went up from i
nv heart to God that night Lying 0
here waiting for the throttling fingers b
lpon my throat, slowly lifted my head e
rom the pillow and peered around the f
Dom dimly lighted by the smouldering a
,mbers upon the hearth. when | felt the c
,laAks upon the bed under me pressed L
Upward as something crept beneath it d
lpon the floor Creep, creep, creep a
tealthily it advanced. 1t twas mani Il
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