The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-12-25

that night; and the visions were fair
that my fancy conjured up, while the dis
tance was slowly Travelled. ea
1t was nearly dusk when we reached
1.-The Forks, the name of the tavern to-
wards which We had been journeying-a
name which became applicable from the fact
that the high road forked to the right and to
the left, just at that point
1T was tall, narrow, three-story frame
house, In very unpainted and dilapidated
condition. The outside presentment, how
ever, was, if anything, more agreeable than
that which beheld within doors.
1.-The landlord met me at the door and in
troduced me into gloomy little room ON the
left of the cold, dark, uncarpeted hall twas
! close In structure, and in atmosphere too,
having that disagreeable, stuffy odor which
impregnates the air, in all apartments
which are not frequently open to sunshine
and breeze g.. ,.s
The evening was cold and dTeary, and
my disappointment at not meeting Clarke,
according to his promise, made me 50 down
hearted that felt ready to burst into tears
but the curious eyes that peered at me from
! doors and windows were incentives enough
for an exhibition of strength rather than
weakness
The lanllady came in after a " lille and
invited me into low, damp room, where
supper was set The fare was homely, but
indeed acceptable after oar journey, to both
Eddie and myself.
my nervous prescntiment of danger,
however, seemed to gather strength every
moment, o..
AT table | was served ly man whose
hldeouS countenance was worse than the
nightmare by JEALOUSY bred
( He eyed me with a persistent curiousty
IN lIiS gaping sensual mouth, and pale in
distraction.
AS often as met his gaze slluddered,
as from q loathsnme touch, and wi>hed-oh,
how wildly for Clarke's noble presence
and his protecting arm.
''This abhorred creature with his horrible
eyes attempted To pet my little Eddie, bat
Tie child shrank from him Just as ! did,
and igno.HiniouSly rejected the advances that
were made -..
!
came round, and as it was long past the
hour when could hope for Clarkc's arrival,
and a. had no excuse to feign that might
remain longer in the public room, rose re-
iuctantly and followed my landIady out into
the hail and up the creaking, narrow flights
oi stairs-for she gave me apartment in the
attic Of the house, averring, when questioned
As to the reason, that her house was so
| crowded that she was unable to extend more
comfortable accommodations.
'<Ircmbling with ill-defued fear, bade
the landlady goodnight, and standing at my
open or, counted the sounds of her foot
steps down the stairs.
Returning to the hearth where a few
faggotS bazed aud smoked, | took Eddie on
my knee and prepared the little fellow for
his nights rest.
! Nv hiic was hearing his prayers, he sud-
denly interrupted me:
Mamma he asked, looking up in my
anxious face, with his blue, peaceful eyes.
| Mamma, do you like that man with the
ugly face down-stairs?''
My SON why do you ask me such
question? | enquired, almost breathlessly
because | don't, he replied, myster-
iously.
"'Why not? asked, smiling, in spite of
my anxiety, at the wise look on his coun-
tenance. :-.
because he snapped his eyes ard turned
so red in the face when he saw the gold in
your purse that you took out to pay the
driver answered Eddie.
! "'Nonsense, darling, you should not sus-
pect persons of evil; it is always sad enough
when we find it OUT
81 stopped and kissed my child, but my
heart beat loudly with fear found it i'm
possible to control, struggle with myself, aud
+ laugh at my timidity as | would.
''For a long while after Eddie went to bed, b,
l sat musing by the hearthstone, starting
hurriedly at every creaking sound or foot
step could hear without.
1.-The freight threw long, fantastic
shadows on the ceiling and the walls, and [
cowere'. closer and shuddered nervously a.
watched them lengthen and darken as the
faggots dropped into ashes.
! SAT last, prepared for bed, attempted to
secure the door for the night, but it had no
fastenings upon it of any kind OF quality.
''To retire in that unprotected fashion, in
strange house, and alone, was something [
could not think Of for an instant.
''FinalIy, an idea presented itself which
seemed entirely feasible.
''Exerting myself to the utmost pushed
an old fashioned chest of drawers against the
door, and on top of it | piled the two stiff
backed wooden chairs the room afforded.
"After this exerton, feeling more com
posed and satisfied, retired and fell into a
heavy slumber.
.'How long lay there cannot tell.
''It surely could not have been many mo-
moments, when | was suddenly startled into
the most intense consciousness that there
was some one in the room beside li,tlc Eddie
and myself, for distinctly heard heavy and
labored hrea athing.
Lying there, with my startled, wide
o,ror b,,xU