The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-04-18
Certainly" said the woman. start,

Up chamber"
Put him in Isaac's room"
NO"
Its the most comfortable"
II tell YOU no"
But here | interrupted the whispered
! colloquy.
Il am not particular-I don't care
where you lodge me only make haste
please "
So | was conducted up a steep lad
der that stood in corner of the room
into an apartment ceiled with slOping
beams and ventilated by one small
window, where a cot bedstead, crowd
ed closely against a board partition,
and a pine table, with two chairs, form
ed the sole attempt at furniture.
The woman set the Hght-an oil
lamp-on the table
"Anything more l can get YOU, SIR"
said she.
Nothing, thank YOU"
Il hope You'll sleepwcIl sir, When
shall call you?"
AT four clock i'll the morning, If
YOU please. | must walk to Il
station in time for the seven o'clock
express"
III lie sure to call you, sir"
She Withdrew, leaving me alone in
the gloomy littIe apartment l sat
down and looked around me with no
agreeable sensations.
Il Will sit down and write to Alice"
/ thought that will sooth my nerves
and quiet me perhaps"
| descended the ladder. The fire
still gIowed reGly on the stone hearth,
and my companion and the woman
sat beside it, talking in a low tone,
and a taird person sat at the table,
cating-a short, stout viilainous look
ing man, in red flannel shirt and very
muddy pantaloons.
| asked for writing material and re-
turned to my room to write to my
wife
My darling Alice"
paused and laid down my pen as !
concluded the words, half smiling to
/ think what she would say, could she
know of my strange quarters.
Not until both sheets were covered
/ did lay aside my penand prepare for
oIumher. As ! folded my paper, l
! happened to Glance toward my couch.
Was il the CLEAN Of q human eve,
Observing me through the board par
tition or was it but my fancy! There
was crack there but only black dark
ness beyond; vet | could have sworn
th"t something Sparlzlcd b;,lefuIiy at
me.
took out my watch-it was only
one o'clock. 1t was scarcely worth
while for mcto undress for three hours
sleep: would lie down in my clothes
and snatch what siumber | could. SO
placing Iny valise close to the head of
my bed and barriclding the loclIcss
doors with two Chairs, | cNtinguishetl
thc light and lay down.
1t first, was very wahetul, bat
gradually soft drOwsiness seemed to
steal over me IiLl" q misty mantle,
until all Of a sudden. some startling
electric thrill cour~ed through my
veins, and 1 sat up, excited and trcmb-
ling.
\ luminous softncss seemed to glow
through the "oin--no light of thc moon
or stars was ever so penetratin@-and
by the little window saw Alice, nay
wife, dressed in flowing garments oi
white, with her long golden h3lr knoe-
ted back by blue ribbon. APpar
emily she was becl<oning to me Will
outstretched hands, and eyes full o
wild anxious tenderness.
! spr&ng to my feet and rushed to
ward her, but as reached the win
, dow, the fair apparition seemed t.
vanish into the stormy darkness, an'
! was left alone. I'm the same instan
the sharp report Of pistol sounded
| could see the jagged stream OF tjr'
above the pillow, straight through th'
) very spot where, ten seconds before
ny head had lain.
e. With hut an instantaneous reallza