The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-03-18
Selert StuGg.
A NIGHT OF HORROR.

The setting rays of cold December
sun were still family shining over the
little village of Arlington, when the mail
coach from London drew up, with its at
tendant hustle and confusion, before the
"Blue Dragon" the principal inn of the
place. AS quickly as their limbs would
let them, the half-frozen outsiders, and
but little warmer insiders, climbed down
from their perches and entered the par
Tor, where cheerful fire and still more
inviting dinner were ready to welcome
them.
Owing to the shocking state of the
roads, the coach was compelled to stop
there that night, instead of continuing
its journey, and reaching its destination
the following day. OF course there were
the usual number of grumblers, who had
the most urgent business on hand, and a
sprinkling of fastidious ones, who were
TOO dignited to spend the night in a low
tavern, as they so politely termed it, but
even these, under the influence of the
good cheer, combined with the generous
effects of little stronger stimulent, soon
became appeased, and in short time all
were chatting together on friendly terms.
When the inner man, not to say wo-
man too, had been refreshed, they all,
as if by common consent, drew up their
chairs to the fire, with the intention of
making night of it, Some talked poll
tics, some discussed mercantile business,
some narrated travels, others adventures
the most exciting of which has given
the title to our story. 1t was told by an
elderly lady, who gave it with such en-
phasis that she alone succeeded in really
captivating the attention and interest of
all. 1t ran thus:
Some forty years ago my husband and
myself, then but lately married, were
living in a little house in Devonshire. A
picturesque spot indeed, and desolate
enough for any but a newly-married
couple, since we were good two miles
from the nearest village, and there was
no habitatioG between us and it. We
had not been there long before my hus-
band had cause to dismiss his man-ser-
want ton suspicion ofstealing plate, which,
though never proved, clearly pointed to
him as the thief, and the man had since
then taken up his abode in the village,
where he lived IN an idle and dissipated
manner.
"One morning, soon after this, as my
husband and myself were setting out for
a walk, a message was put into his hands,
which stated that his uncle was dying,
and wished to see him at once This we
thought strange, as the last accounts we
had received of his health had been
very good but my husband, who had ex-
pectations in that quarter, and really did
like the old gentleman, thought it best
10 90 at once and satisfy himself of the
truth with his own eyes. Accordingly
be set out, leaving me alone-the first
time since our marriage, and promising
to be back again the following day if
possible.
"In the afternoon the weather changed,
and the sky that had been so bright and
blue in the morning soon became clouded
and overcast. The wind, too, got up
with an C%inous sound; everything in
short, betokened a coming storm. | went
into the house, and had hardly taken off
my bonnet and shawl before the first
drops of rain began to patter down
against the windows. With the falling
Of the rain sort of indescribable de-
preston seemed to come upon me, and,
DO what | would. could not shake it of.
In vain l tried the piano, favorite book,
my work-it was of no use; it seemed to
settle more and more upon me, as the
evening advanced.
"At last, by ten o'clock, l could stand
it no longer, and, telling my maid that /
should not want her again, | went up
stairs to my bedroom. On entering |
locked the door behind me, and me-
chanically laid the key an the mantle
piece. | sat down before the looking
glass, and began to brush my hair, and
thinking the while of how my husband
got on, and what was the earliest hour
might reasonably expect him back the
next day. Happening to raise my eyes,
| saw hand creep from behind the cur
tains of the bed, silently take the key
from the mantlepiece, and disappear
again. How | refrained from shrieking
out on seeing this / scarcely know. For
a moment felt completely sick with
fear, and my face, reflected in the glass,
appeared to me ghastly. But it was not
10 lOnO hOWaVar. nnoa ,,oora NV haart
began to beat, and the awful reality of
my position suddenly flashed upon me.
With presence of mind that was quite
unnatural to me, continued brushing
my hair as though had seen nothing,
while a hundred reflections rushed
through my mind. There i was, alone