The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-01-09

hurry to enter, and as Mrs. Somerville
happened to be uEwell at this particular
time, and unable to come to London to su
perintend the furnishing, he contented
himself with preparing bedroom for his
own use on the first floor, and another for
his valet on the floor above. He retained
the services of the elderly deaf woman,
who appeared to be grc teful for his con-
sideration, as she alleged that the pay she
received for her trouble was almost all she
had TO live on. The house became the
property of the Colonel at midsummer,
1856. Towards the end of Jolly the rooms
mentioned were furnished in a temporary
manner for the accommodation of The
Colonel, who at that time was frequently
called to town on business, but It was not
till the first week in August that Colonel
SomerviEe, accompanied by a valet who
had been in his service for about two years,
actually entered as resident. But in
that house he only remained one night and
he never slept there again.
He arrived in town about midday on the
Wednesday in the first week in August
The day was oppressively gloomy and dull
in the country, and all London seemed to
be seething in sullen heat. He went with
his valet straight TO his new house in --
Square. The cabman took the fare offered
to him without grumbling, observing (as
he glanced somewhat suspIciously at the
house,, This is the first time as | ever
drove a gentleman, nor lady neither, to
this 'ere 'ouse,'' and he went away as
quickly as he could.
Colonel Somelville took no notice OF The
remark at the time, though it came wildly
to his recollection afrerwaI Dis.
Having deposited his luggage, and seen
that his room looked tolerably comfortable,
he told his servant that he intended to
dine at his club and should be home about
eleven. The elderly deaf woman, should
say, was in attendance.
Well, the Colonel transacted his bust
ness, dined at his club with friend, and
returned 10 his house shortly after eleven
O'clock. His servant, a smart, active fell
low, opened The door for him, showed him
to his room, asked for his orders for the
morning, and, having received them, re-
tired to his room above.
1t was hot in She streets as Colonel Som
erville drove home it was hotter still in
his bedroom, yet he felt scarcely any incIi-
nation to sleep. Another cigal, he thought
would soOthe him into sonluolency, so he
accordingly lit one, and tried to amu>e
himself by considering how he should fur
nish his new house, having due regard to
the exigencies of London gas and atmos-
phere. His cigar finished, he undressed
leisurely and got into bed the wind. such
as there was came from The south, and he
heard the giant clock of Westminster
strike twelve. BY and by he heard The
quarter, and then t : half hour, and then
he fell off into dose from which he was
awakened by repeated knocks at his door
He called out ''Who's there 80 but the an
swer was unintelligible, though he heard a
voice in reply. He hastily lit the candle,
and opened the door. In The passage he
found his servant half dressed looking
frightfully pale, and shiveling violently
from head to foot
''Why, Warren. what on earth is the
matter?'' he exclaimed ''are you Ill -
Il don't quite know what is The matter, -
was the reply. please sir may l come
in ?''
Certainly" said the Colonel, who was
one of the kindest of human beings; come
in, Warren, you must be ill.,
The man entered shaking as though an
ague had seized him and The Colonel has
tily took his flask from his dressing bag
and gave him some strong brandy and
water. This seemed to do Warren good
and then his master asked him again what
was the matter.
81 don't rightly know, sir,'' he answer
ed. Il went to bed all right and went
very sound asleep. But had a bad dream.
l thought a pale-faced man came into my
room, although | knew l had locked the
door, and he stood beside my bed, looking
for all the world, sir, as if he would like to
eat me and thon the air in the room be-
came so oppressive that it seemed to weigh
upon my face and head, and then this ter
rible sbivering came over me as if L was
living out of doors in bitter frost, though
l knew at the same time how hot it was"
'.Incipient fever" said the Colonel, 'let
me feel your pulse
Strange" he muttered, after minute
or two. ''Have you ever had malarial
fever, intermittent, OF that sort of thing ?''
mo, sir never that l am aware Of"
s'But yet you must be i'll. Shall 1 go
and fetch doctor ?''
'Oh no, thank you sir. 1 feel SO much
better Eow."
''Well, theu, Warren, l think you had
better go back to bed again"
The man became pale again instantly,
and another attack of shivering seized
him. and he exclaimed almost in agony:
ooh. no, sir, not to that room [ feel
certain that l should see that white-faced
man again, and feel that weight upon my
face and head. Oh, sir, do let me lie upon
the floor"