The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1874-03-28
A Night Of Horror.

found the premises wrapped that l de-
tcrmined to give a lovely surprise but
nature, appealing to ME on vital point,
dropped into the dining room with the
view refreshing myself with bite of
cold joint by way of preliminary.
Striking ligh,, 1 found that my
wants had been anticipated, for there on
the table lay the remains of repast-
breast of chickens, cakes, cheese and
what not. Being sharp set, | pitched
in, glass of cold porter materially
assisting the process Of indigestion
All at once my eye caught sight of
meerchaum upon the mantle. Now
there Is nothing very alarming in a mcer
ctaum per SC, but when the n,ecrcEauu,
IS the property of stranger aud is
found upou ones promises during his
absence, it becomes invested with an
Importance which itcould derive from
no other circumstance. There is also a
papcr Of Turkish tobacco The fellow
has a taste, at all events sa id [, aud I
filled and smoked, drank a bumper and
cogitatcd.
Now Maria knows I nm not in the
least jealous; knows it had never entered
my head TO suspect her of any impru
deuce; but this, to say the least oft,
had very suspicious look about it, but
nevertheless | drank again Yet pro
tested | was not jealous. At that mo-
mcnt [ started and sprang to my feet as
ID at the touch Of an clcc ric battery for
GA the sc,tee ia tho corner lay a i'm
pudent looking hat and cane. and even
par Of gloves! To smash tho hat
i"t" sm'thcreeus, to tear the gloves into
fragments, to snap the cane into flinders
was d'nc IN moment. took another
bumper, aud folding my arms. glare
inajrsticully ur"un.i. Not til It was
Jealous y! dear no '.a
|eF L resumed my scat sad pipe, to
c"gitatc over Of course the pr.
cccdure when ! received anotne sho k.
My eye had ali. h,cd urun a note which
had fallen un'lcr. the table Itwa.a
feminine hand Dear Charlie it ran,
I'm $" slal you've arrived. San,my's
away. Don't stand upon ceremony.
We'll have such mic. tins! Cold
lunch and all agreeable. Come over ut
ouce.'
Sammy's my name 'Porfdious wo
man 1t is thus
l threw it into the FIRE after stam ping
on it. fortified myself with another
glass, took off my stockings, and started
up stairs On the way 1 tumb blod over
stIange cat in the kitchen.
In my ascent suppose 1 must have
made some noise, for a strange dog set
up furious yell in the back area 1t
may be as well to prepare for continycn
cies, reflected, as | re entered the par
lor with view to possessing myself of
n poker. Dark as it was. secured the
desired object, and was retreating, when
| fancied somebody came in on tiptoe.
Holding my breath, lodged past him,
and crept up stairs like thief not that
was jealous but only to see what was
going on. After pause, during which
could count the beats Of my heart, l
tried the bedroom door. 1t was not
locked and was dark within. A gentle
snore-not rough, exasperating, reck
less thing, but more of a musical moan
came from the bed
'She is sleep mused I 'the step Of
stranger's' toes was the tread of IA cat.
Poor Maria! how could I SO wrong
your = l disrobcd and slipped in bed.
Charles, how long have you been p
said feminine voice.
Gracious goodncss-it was that Of
stranger cold perspiration broke over
me as reflected upon the horrors Of my
situation. The hou-e 1 had purchased
was one of pair which had been built
exactly alike, and coming home fatgucd
and sleepy direct from the cars, must
have entered my neighbors mansion
instead ofmy own
pounccd upon the foor.
Excuse me, DEAR | whispered, Il
think hear burglars
'What-again? think you must be
| mistaken
Ill 60 and soc said T, and huddling