Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-10-20
md then ascend by the vine. We always

and then ascend by the vine. we always
went out by the front door. when we
could, and that was often, for you went
for your walks, or were shut up in the
dining.room or library. We know how
to watch our chance, both within and
without. Never was city house so shell
tered from outside observation as this ;
you have no neighbors in the intrusive
sense. We have uniastened window
or two out of which we could always
drop into the garden. You have been 4
placid and kindly hostess 10 two people
who lore didJlcrie; believe me, madame,
we could have frightened you out of your
wits ~
She darted up stairs and returned like
Lightning, went 10 Mr.. Ayscough's table
and gathered some more sheets Of paper.
rolled them rapidly together. took one OF
my marble hands, and pressing ii kindly,
skipped out of the door.
Yes, let her 20. was powerless.
Down The front staircase. out OF that
handsome, respectable house she went,
and had promised 10 protect it Two
umblers-acrobats, gymnasts-thieyes'
murderers. burglars, for aught knew,
had been fellow inmates with me, and |
had let one of them goa pretty protect
ress, | can not remember how did
it, but know | wrote telegram to MIR.
Ayscough aud sent Nancy for the doctor.
know wrote also n letter, Tor il is be-
fore me:
"NIR. ArsCorGm: Yesterday in visiting your
apartment became convinced that some intruder
had been med,lling with your Inkstand' WIZ
confess 10 you that have been the Nlctlih Oi su,
rstitOus fears and that ! believed once that
saw the ghost of your wife. | was weak enough
10 feel these fears come over me again. As
searched about the rooms, halt IN terror, lOO-
served the little garnet door SWING sehtly open
| ascended TO find woman sleeping In the nurse
~ bed so astonishing was the likeness TO Ter
trudc's picture, that still believed "a" awrh'ii
took the hand, however, OF live woman IL
WAS the acrobat ROsalind, now performing NJ
Blakcly Theatre. She and her husband having
gained access 10 the garret rooms IN the carry
summer, by means oi The Wis'eria Nlhe' nave i''f'
She has taken nothing. have let her escape.
Forgive me and forgive her. she seems hali
crazed poor creature, and have iciiow.leel!ns
for her. MAXI NNNi'N'
When the doctor came | was past
speech or action. In the dclirium OF n
brain fever passed tho next month.
When Nj. Ayscough arrived he read
my letter. The doctor says his fury sur
passed all description. DO not wonder
TO have nothing to wreak his vengeance
upon but feeble old woman, battling in
the idiocy OF a brain fever.
Yes; yes. there were the acrobats
They were to be found and punished.
They, the miserable disturbers OF his
hottest solitude, the invaders OF his dear.
est privacy. he would wreak his yenge.
ancc on them
The doctor, sitting by my bedside,
heard his iniurialed words, and at the
same time glanced over the morning
paper.
stop, Mr. Ayscough,' said the old
gentleman, "your indignation is Just and
natural, but the power OF revenge is taken
from you. A greater than we are has
spoken. Vengeance is mine, saith the
Lord And he read the following para
graph;
"IIoRRlnIK ACCIDENT Al TIIE BLAkELl THE- |
trtrt ~ Ap al aGrODAtNs
nand anil Rosalnd, in the performance oi thelr
great dying trapeLe act last evening, missed .le
bar and fell with terrible force TO the noor. Inc !
woman Is dead. The man still fingers, suHefin. |
horribly He was noticed ~ being unsteady and |
nervous when Inc began. and the woman was eNl'
IDENTITY entreating him TO slopi but ne Wouih n1t'
She was n beautiful and loving creature, evidently
educated above her profession; but tue man Is !
said To have been drunken ana sullen brute The
terrible accident of course caused AN immense
sen satiou The large audience Immediately as
perscd saddened by this dreadful spectacle. IL
is 10 be hoped that II will bring these acrobatic
perior manccs into disayOr for u very long time''
never saw Mr.. Ayscough again; but
he left ME handsome present. | alter.
ward had reason to believe that he gave
the unfortunate acrobat decent and
Christian funeial.
never attempted again TO live alone
in n great house, nor do l flatter myself
a woman of courage; all that dear i!!u'
sion was taken out Of ME by rather an
extraordinary experience l grant but
still it has been taken away. True cour'
age would not have tainted away; true
courage would have caught the woman,
and would not have had brain lever.
Yet, for all she cost me, l have still 4
great tenderness for my only ghost!
From the Aldine for August.