The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-11-05

We were standing under gas lamp The
light was feeble, but quiet enough to let me
see the expression of his face There was
no anger or annoyance in his eyes. He
stared at me III a half-wild, half-dull way,
and did not seem to ask or care why |
touched him. Something in his aspect put
me out of concet with my suicidal theory
for him. l did not say the words had ar
ranged. His appearance forbade me-"
81 am stranger in London. / arrived
here only this evening. Pardon me, but |
lost my way, Would you be good enough
to set me right ?"
"He continued to look at me in the same,
dull, unspeculative mapner. He completely
disregarded my question. we have met to-
night before. Did you follow me from
where fell to the billiard room?" he asked
in low, wOrnout voice.
81 was thunder-stricken. He had not
only seen me at the time of the accident, but
had recognized me in the billiard room. |
Lost my self-possession completely. No. |
muttered, Il did not follow you from where
you fell to the billiard room"
"'That is strange, he unused, very strange!
What coincidence! But did you follow
me from the billiard room to this?"
eyes
wWhy"
"'I heard you mutter something about to-
morrow never coming, and the river. /
feared -
WHAT"
"Well, your manner-pray excuse me
seemed a little excited, and I feared that
perhaps you might waved my hand
vaguely in the direction of the river.
"To my profound astonshment, l may
say horror, he burst out into hysterical
laugh, leaned against the parapet of the
bridge, and surveyed me with halfamused,
Multiplying look. After a moment he shook
himself; regarded me fixedly, asked me
where lived or staid and when answered,
said, Come with me"
There were two good OBJECTS to be at
tained by going with him. | should draw
him away from the river, and I myself
should get homo. We walked in silence
together, Evidently he did not wish to
speak"
'Iahven't the least idea of the way we
went. We made many turnings, and | grew
gradually to feel that we were penetrating
the better portion of London was on the
point of asking if he were quite sure he had
not been deceived by the fog, when he
stopped before large house in square and
knocked"
81 do not know this place." said.
"But do You need not be afraid. Do
l look like decoy?"
"The door was opened by porter, and we
entered a spacious hall, lighted by huge
gaselier of dull amber glass Passing through
the hall, we went into another and narrower
one; out of this we passed into dark pass
age of considerable length; and finally, into
a small low room. From ceiling to floor
hung amber silk curtains, and between them
stood vast mirrors. There were only one
small table and two chairs. Along the three
sides of the chamber ran low couches covered
with amber velvet A dull yellow Turkey
carpet covered the floor, and overhead hung
a single lamp with a single floating wick.
On the mantlepiece there was nothing but
pipes and pair of old flint pistols curiously
wrought, and glittering with diamonds and
rubies in the dim golden light"
"He motioned me to one of the chairs"
Take seat he said, moving his hand to a
silver gong that stood on the table, and
sinking into the luxurious easy chair. You
will have something% What shall it be?
This is my place, or rather yours, for the
present.
"Thank you, nothing for me. You need
refreshment, and, if may presume to say so,
sleep still more"
81 have neither eaten nor slept in forty
eight hours, and think must have walked
a hundred miles in that time"
81 uttered an exclamation of surprise and
looked closely at him. He was young
man, not more than nine and twenty, or
thirty at most, but looking much older under
the influence of extreme physical exhaustion.
His face was flushed and hectic, and his
eyes were dim and bloodshot. His figure
was slender almost to emaciation, and deep
lines marked the face, speaking of premature
care or sorrow could not tell which
Gle did not heed my exclamation, but
went on You thought was asleep in the
billiard room. was not. Forty-eight hours
ago ] awoke out of dream, and l have lot
dared to sleep since"
"Was it so terribleY'
"Terrible a.! No 1t was so good, so heal
ing, go heaven sent, that | durst not sleep,
lest it should get the lie"
"But you will kill yourself. You must
sleep"
"What o'clock is it ?"
"a quarter past twelve"
SIN ten, perhaps eight hours, shall know
if that dream was true or not. You thought
meditated sprnging into the Thames. 1t
was good Of you to follow me, am CRATE
fll to you for your care Of me But in all
London-and in the whole word-there is
no man who wants to live more than i
do"
"But--"
81 know what you would say-I am going
bad way about it. Let that pass. There
is no other way. If you stay until the news
comes you shall. If it be good, l shall
sleep"
Sand if it be bad ?"
"He knit his brow and clenched his
hands, and then said, with strange laugh,
| shall sleep all the same"
81 will stay, if may"
"Good. Then you shall hear my
dream"
"He lit pipe, lay back in his chair and
began in low, strained voice, like one who
listens to words which have travelled from a
distance and repeats them MS they come"
81 Tneed go no further into the past than