The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-08-08

uOll y pCicNN III piNNNutiuiCutS, iOl
surely if one should put any faith in them,
now was the time for very different
sensation from that which [ experienced,
as, after partaking Of substantial refresh
ment in my friends sanctum, accepted
the tender of an excellent cigar, and drew
my chair to the fire, very much at case,
and congratulating myself on the good
fortune which had led me to seek the
shelter of so hospitable roof. My friend
apologized for the absence of "the wife,"
as he called her, but said that | should
make her acquaintance in few minutes,
as she would by that time have finished
the domestic task that she was then en-
gagged in. We sat talking of former times,
and my friend gave me portion of his
history. which Il need not recapitulate
here | remember | was speculating as
to what kind of lady "the wife" would
prove to be, when side-door opened and
l saw what gave ME thrill of horror.
Wearing the same DRESS loaded with the
same jewellry, regarding me with the
same dark and terrible eyes, stood the
woman ofthe tunnel With appalling
distinctncss, the whole of that horrible
circumstance required to me-and there
she 7caS.
cannot tell the expression which my
countenance wore, but | know my friend
looked disconnected he must have notic-
ed the change that came over me, and
wondered what should cause it. But
here | must note another popularity in
this meeting if l recognised this woman
as identical with the apparation which I
had seen in the tunnel, she too recogniz-
ed me as identical with some one or some
thing which she had seen. could see
depicted on her countenancc, first horror,
and then fear, and then the same look of
hate that the apparation had darted on
the other figure which I saw in the tun-
mel. | don't know what our greeting was
like, gasped out something as l took
her hand, and she did the same. and then
abruptly retired. | apologized to my
friend told him | had never seen the
lady before, as indeed | had not, adding
that had q nervous affection, which
must account for my extraordinary con.
duct. Still, as may be supposed, he
seemed far from satisfied; and for my
part, any one may imagine the state Of
my feelings. The lady remained in the
bar, and as | glanced at her furtively,
could see that she was regarding me with
q look of intense fear and aversion. How
| wished | had never visited the house
the town. What was to be done ? Wha
would come of it all =?
One thing | felt could not sit there
longer; could not decently resume my
conversation with the landlord. | coulc
do one thing-could 60 to bed. | accord
ingly told my host that | felt unwell, ant
would retire for the night He sale
nothing, but fetched candle-stick, ant
motioned me to follow him.
The chamber to which the landlord
conducted me did not wear reassurnl
aspect, in spite of a bright fire which wa
burning in the CRATE. 1t might hav'
been a haunted room; the antique be,
furniture, the huge numbering chairs, tn,
quaint pattern Of the paper on the wall
all spoke of those who had passet
away.
My host having bade me goodnight,
: threw myself into a chair and began t.
reflect. After all had seen, it is not t.
be wondered at if | was in an uneas
state of mind must do myself tn
justice to say that palpablc danger oc
cupied more Of my attention than ghostl
, terror, thoug were to confess to littl
of the latter, | should have, | think,
) fair excuse to urge. This woman, 70
some reason, evidently regarded me will
fear and hatred, and was | safe ? Coul,
, | trust myself to slumber? Might sh
not visit me, and, while | slept, repea
! the tunnel incident for, as | had no
the least doubt of her identity with tn
!, apparation had seen, had come to be
Q lieve that she had committed a murder
! Could |, wearied as was, keep awake
: The moon was shining in the room
G tried to imagine the aspect Of her face b
y that light, and the idea of meeting he
s alone was too much for me- 1t was tru
[ had locked my door, but then she Nigh
y possess key, or, if not, doubted if
rickety lock would present an insuperabl
o obstacle to an enemy of so determined
IS character.
If As things did not look very promisin
J. inside, pulled up my blind, and locke
}. out. Below me was the inn-yard, dow
into which the full moon was shining
" brightly that could have counted ever
l, paving-stone. Two heavy lumberin
l. gates, unclosed, were in front of me, lea,
!, ing into the street; and right under IN
~ window stood a cart with load of stra,
t. The height was not great and in half
minute, | was out of my window al
l. plump down upon the straw, witho
,r anybody being the wiser. slid dow
l. from tine load, aud ont of the yard | wal
ID ed, and across the street 4 little pu
ID lic-house chanced 10 be still open, for
to was not late, and here | speedily engage
* a bed. The parlor company found mu'
h. more numerous than select. However,
5, was iain to make one of the party, Al
t. though it may not enhance my reputati'
ID for courage, yet am bound to say iha
p despite certain turbulent proceedings,
OF never more heartily relished the socie
re OF my ielow-creatures IN my life.
e, The first thing heard the next NOR
III ing was the startling intelligence, tn
ed but few minutes after the landlord h,
of conducted me to the room whence | hi
c. made my escape, his wife had sudden
er expired. A medical man was called
of and stated that the cause of her dca
ed was heart disease-an opinion which
nd subsequent past mortem examination
the body showed to be correct. ho
It. ever, thought 1t necessary, as briefly
e. possible, to narrate to the landlord t
ad whole Of the occurrence of which | h
en- been witness and, as may be expecte
ht the recital affected him considerabl
re though whether he believed that what