The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1874-07-30

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way, and fingered beside me. At she
spoke:
Look We, sir; I think that old folks of
your age do wrong to lock doors on them
selves. You might be i'll at night, and
who'd get in to you? Leave your door
unlocked"
Was it this woman's practice to beg
travellers who stopped with her mistress
not to lock the doors? Was there some
baneful potion in the cup she had given
me? # 81 A@ I'M @
Ii was an innocent looking cup enough
an old fashioned affair covered with
little gilt sprigs The tea was fragrant
dyson; but the, suspicion that had crept
into my mind had tainted it. I fancleda
strange color, curious smell. put it
from me, and would not have tasted it
for a kingdom. n
mao not Intended to sleep, and did
not undress myself. I merely removed
my disguise, and sat down beside the
table With my pistol beside me. That
some attempt might be shortly made to
murder me felt to be possible. I thot
OF all the old tales that had heard of
trap doors, and sliding panels. and secret
entrances to travellers rooms. Iwas not
coward. but l felt strangely nervous,
ana slnguiarly enough for man in mJ
perfect health my hands were growing
cold,and my feet were Jumps of ice, while
my head was burning hot.
Fifteen minutes had passed, and the
lire was kindled, but the room was moi
warm. The blue flames struggled among
the black Goals, anG flung forkei tongues
tipped with yellow tints, into the room
There was nothing cheerful about the
stove, though it was of that open style
now called Franklin. Yet l drew 6
chair toward it from habit, and sat with
my feet upon the hearth. I do not know
how long | sat there. Suddenly became
aware that was not myself. was losing
my senses. If unseen hanC 8 had beer
clasped about my neck, and an unseer
knee had been pressed against my chest
my sensations could not have been differ.
emit.
A thought of the evil spirit which my
friend had suggested family struggled
into my mind. AS staggered to nay feet
a noise like the roaring of the sea was in
my ear. The flames of the candle turned
to q great yellow blue. barely retain
ed strength enough to stagger to the win
dow and fling it open. The fresh, cold
winter air rushed in at it. It gave me
intense pain, but it relieved me. In 8
moment more / was able to Chamber out
of it upon the shed below.
There remained until the day dawn
With my returning senses the truth came
to me. That which had murdered the
three men who slept before me in the
blue chamber was nothing mere or less
than the coal stove.
It was provided with what is called &
damper, and this being caught in man
ner which closed it, sent the poisonou:
gas into the room. It had been kirdlec
as wood fire would have been st tht
hour of retiring, by one quite ignorant OF
the danger possible from coal gas, and
they had slept never to awaken. Had
thrown myself upon the bed I also should
have been found dead at daylight, in al
human probability.
AS for the fact that neither Doctor MOI
Coroner discovered the truth, have but
to say that they were not deeply scien.
|
tifc men-that coal stoves were scarcely
used in the place, and that it had rot
been mentioned that the blue chamber
was thus heated.
Of course | rejoiced the household by
my discovery next morning, and equally
of course, Madame Matteau, who was not
only freed from suspician. but became
the object of universal sympathy. She
was always grateful to me, land she proved
her gratitude by giving what soon asked
for, the hand of her daughter Gabrielle
in marriage.
--~-W,0
From the New York Herald.
mr.