Middletown transcript., 1873-07-05

into cheetuI blaze. aud otherwise occu-
pying myself. Though almost quite
dark, il WAS now only about o'clock,
and the blinds in the little sitting room
were still undrawn. | was sitting on the
hearth rug. with baby in my lap. anus
ing her with my watch and its gli,tering
appendagcs. which were an unfailing
source of pleasure to her; aud, as she
stretched out her little hands 10 grab
them, was suddenly attracted to the
window. through which. to my unuttera-
bic horror. distinguished the face OF
man cleaning upon me. In that swift.
momentary glance ! could SEQ that it wa.
a pale, sinister, malcvolent countenaace,
with small. hungry eyes.
My heart bca, wildly. but dissemblcd
my terror we'll. suppose, as had done
otherwise baby and | nigh, have Jared
differently. SO rapidly had | compre-
hendcd the necessity for appearing not to
have observed him. that hardly stopped
speaking TO my baby, but thousand pro.
jects for escape from my present position
rcvolved themselves through nv whirling
brnn How could escape from tina, lit
llr room. with its dark un,hnicd window
Fur,ivcly | looked agnin aud was Infinite
ly relieved 10 find that the apparilipn had
vanished. for the present. at least. from
It's late elase proximity 10 the window
got up al last. still ehaitrring 10 my un-
conscious child, aud moved slowly toward
the door. even pausing inr an instant nj
the table. partly TO gather strength TO
proceed, ns my limbs were tottcring be-
meath me. partly because dreaded lest
the lurkcr without uight sill be marking
my movements had scarcely strength
left 10 turn the handle Of the door, but
once Oh the other side ~ il, | rushed
across the hall aud gained the kitchen,
where found my two domcsiics seated at
their tca
briefly told them OF the fright had
got, and was not much re-assurei on Gnd-
ing that both were, il possible, greater
towards than was myself
The sound of whistle IL no great dix.
taucc from the cottage reused me % the
necessity of instantly making every place
rs secure ms possible Accompanied hy
the two trembling servants, and with
baby in my arms. began tour Of in
speetion At la,t every bolt was drawn,
every shutter closed aud nothing more
remained - be done found. on looking
at the cls'l;. that i, was little past five. 80
that long evening was before me.
Not a sound was 10 b. heard nothing
fresh occurred to alarm us in the lra.t
aud at last grew ashamed Of the panic |
hal given way 10. merely from having
seen man glance through the window
k,ry rrohahg H. was some strollinr sa.
grant wha ha been attracted Is lha fright
light OF the lire 10 lock in, without doing
Il, auy hatm.
- reasoned with mysrlf. aul 80 |
ltied Ia J.. ssurr the servants nlnr an,
circumstances. ! was glttl 10 feel that "
were safely shut ~ far tn night anl d.
terminel 10 - sa3n to my fnam, whore
fell less lonely thln IN the empty drawing
ronm
Had there no, been the Chance nf Ar,
f thur returning. woull have proposed
that the servants shouli -ltcp in a bed
there happened to be in III, dressing .rnom;
i but as they assured me- they were nat At
/ all afrnid now tin, nothing mere lad boon
+ heard u tlc nnn, aui knew il would be
a great nuisance to Arthur il h. did re-
turn, | concluded ibat Il was wiser 10 lel
them sletp in their own room. though il
was at some distance irnm mne
| went 10 my raom At ahant half.pasl
uine. aud proceeded T. unlrtss; after
which put on my wlitr flannel dressing
gown. placed my candle, behind me. aud
seating myself in front Of ths lire, began
10 read
ln spiis of all my assurances 10 myself
anl ms servants | felt strangely nersau.
aud restless hly hnpk was a very inter.
estine one. but il iaifea 10 etlitrfate from
my mind ilie horrible femgmlrancn Of The
face at thr window Perhaps E WIS lhtr,
still-perhaps he wus watching Tor Ar.
thurs return to waylay aud murder him
All sorts Of will visions presented them.
selves 10 my mind Once baby moyel
slightly aui il nude me start nearly Ii
my feet with terror
| was thoroughly upset. aud the onl
thought that cnnsolrd me was tha, | had
begged Arthur not 10 return; 50 he was
nn doubt. safely at the barracks, litil,
dreaming Of my state oi mind
Il was showing heavily still knew
it by iha dropping that came steadily dowl
the chimney The atmosphere seemed I,
choke me somehow. And ever and ano,
found myself listening inten,ly
The hall clock struck elasen. ever
stroke vibrating through me. Still | sa
on: my fire growing dim. and myscl
feeling cramped. cold aud almost immoy
able
What wns so afraid of? | asked my
self hundred times | could not tell
it was vague, shadowy tcrrsr that seem
ed to ba chaining me down. had hear
of peoples hair turning white in a nigh
from fear. Surely mine would be a
snowy as the ground without il | had |,
spend the whole night thus.
Oh, for the sound Of Arthur's voice
Perhaps | should never hear it again
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