Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-04-18
SELECTED STORY.
The STRANGE VISITOR.
BIZ s. GILL.

'Maine is bounded on the north by
Canada, on the east by New Hampsh ire,
on the"
Th 5 interesting recita ton was here
cut short by knock at the door,. Why
was 1t that the shcoolma'am turned pale
and trembled as she turned to answer the
summons? She herself could not have
told you, but all day long she had been
filled W 18th a nameless dread, and every
sound startled her.
The door being opened, dirty little
barefooted urchin put into her hand a
note which ran thus
"DEAR JENNIE:-I will call for you to
drive round the beach with me at four.
You will 60, won't you7
In haste, PAUL.
Nothing alarming in that, surely.
"How foolish I am to be so frightened
at nothing? I think I must be tired.
1t will make me feel better to ride along
the beach and breathe the refreshing sea
breeze"
In ,hi. way she had nearly dispelled
the cloud that had rested on her spirits
all day, when second rap called her at
the door. This time the visitor. proved
to be tall. gaunt man, with piercing
black eyes.
You are one of the committee, I sup
pose," she said. Offering a chair aud e1-
tending her hand.
He took it, and holding it tightly,
with his strange eyes fixed on hers with
a gaze that seemed to reach her soul. re-
piled:
eyes, I am a committee sent by God
to gather this garden Of sosebuds and
carry them to him"
Quick as Fash the awful truth flashed
upon her. but she knew the only chance
of safety for herself and school lay in ex-
IRENE stead mess; and the spirit that had
bowed all day before the dark shadow.
rose up, calm and majestic, to meet the
fearful reality. ..
She turned her face toward the school,
with her hand on the bell. to give the
signal Of dismissal. Would they 20 z?
She took the tiny gold watch from her
lt,and found it to be only half past
three. No, they would lingcr to ask IN
Vulnerable questions !; the earliness of the
hour would surprise them and excite his
suspicion. Turning to the august stran.
ger, she said: ,.,
Eyes, 1 understand your mission. It
is nearly recess time now, and they will
come in, fresh and invigorated.
Then going to some Of the older schol-
ars, under pretense of examining their
books and writings. wrote short com.
mand to each one. Her step was steady
and firm, and her face showed no signs
of the terrible conflict that was rag ing
within, as she returned to the desk.
Oh, how wildly Der heart beat under
the dainty muslin folds of her dress, as,
responsive to each successive tar, of thc
bell. the rows of the happy girls and boys
filed out Of the open doorway, and With
sigh ofrelief, she closed the door after
them. They were safe at least. Now
she must face danger, perhaps death,
alone.
The man. beast, or devil. whichever he
might be. had gone to the stove. taken
out an old pocket knife. and stood draw
it up and down the rusty funnel for a
few minutes, then carefully feeling of the
sharpened blade with his long. bony I'm
gers. The result seemed to please him,
for he broke into low chuckle which ex-
tended to horrid maniac laugh; then
proceeded to walk back and forth across
the room. At length be stopped sudden
ly before her and said:
why don't they GOMEZ
because I have not rung the bell, !"
she answered quietly.
Ring it. them"
And again he resumed his. walk.
Jennie Mays heart thrilled With o
new hope. She would go to the door to
ring the bell. and then run for her life.
Something in her manner caught his ca
Gle eye as she passed, for be sprang to-
ward her with demoniac yell.
you've played me false. They've all
gone and you shall dep ''''S
The fearful words and gestures broke
the spell which had upheld her. hereto.
fore. With one piercing Shrek she
sprang from him, and a. he stood IN; the
doorway, ran to the window but etc she
could raise it, the maniac was upong her
She heard his fendish chuckle. and felt
his iron pgsrs,clulch her, shoulder. shut