The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-06-22

win my OWni ana on the following morn
ing went in, short time before she ar
rived, to see that everything was ready
for her. It was October and the weather
was chilly, so l desired that she should
have fire, as | inRcied, coming from
wretched lodgings, it might be sort Of
welcome Tor her. AL o'clock she arrived
bringing with her u small black box Al
her sole luggage, which Ellis and the
hOusemaid, between them, carried directly
to her room, whittier she followed them
almost Immediately, to take off her things
| accompanied her and remained for a
few minutes, telling her to Join me in the
drawing room as soon as she could, lunch
being ready.
She presently appeared, very much
altered by the removal Of her bonnet
She wore her hair in a crop, fashion
detested; and her figure without her cloak
was only redeemed from awkwardness by
the we'll made black silk, which had evil
IDENTIFY been the work OF a first-rate modiSie.
She wore no ornaments, except u plain
gold ring on the little finger OF the left
hand, which | noticed was particularly
large. ceased to critiCise her after We
had been together for little. She was
so pleasant, so chatty, and yet 30 quiet
withal, that ere evening came | had be-
gun to congratulate myself on my own
pcrspicacity in having engaged her, and
was fully prepared to endorse Lady Nom
tacutc's opinion, that she was sure to be
not only iavorite but an acquisition.
A fortnight slipped quietly away, and
in my weekly budget to my husband /
gave most charming accounts OF my com.
paniOn, which our every day intercourse
seemed fully to confirm. But about the
third week, a something | could not cx.
plain made me take dislike to her. !
had not been very well, and her kindness
had been unremitting; consequently, felt
almost angry with myself for lndulging
ing u feeling which | could not help
acknowledging was both unreasonable
and childish.
But it gained ground in spite OF myself
and one night, rs | was standing by the
looking glass in my bedroom, which was
in the shadow, caught sight Of Miss
Burke, who was leaning on the mOntel-
piece in the full light Of the gas, which
burned on either side OF it, regarding me
with n stealthy and searching glance,
which instantly observed, but had sui.
liCent sense to take no notice OF, The OK
preston in her large black eyes haunted
me for days, and caused me to say good
night to her on the landing, and, in add.
ton, to lock my door, prccautiOn | had
never before thought Of taking.
One night shortly afterwards ! awoke,
fancying heard a movement outside my
door. My room was perfectly dark, and
| was convinced some noise had suddenly
awakened me. | listened intently, almost
too terrified too breathe, until / heard
most distinctly the handle Of my door
cautiously turned. Analmost death.like
horror seized me, and for an instant !
was absolutely rigid with terror; but the
spell was broken by another audible effort
to open the door, and the hall clock atruck
three, which made me spring up in bed,
sicze the matches, and, with trembling
fingers, attempt two or three times 10
strike a light. At last was successful,
and the welcome blaze Of the gas which |
lit gave me courage to call out boldly
"Who is there" But no answer came,
pcaled my bell vigorously, and in few
minutes heard steps approaching, and
Ellis welcome voice asked II was i'll.
"No, Ellis, not ill.," said, "but terri
fed" as | unlocked the door and al-
mittcd her. "SOme one tried my door
not five minutes ago
"Tried your door, maam? surely not"
calculated Ellis.
ayes, Fills, nm certain Of It, aud It
has given me such shock cannot he
left alone again
"What Is the matter, dearest Mrs Con-
ycrs?" exclaimed Miss Burke, who mp
peared in my room Just ia ! had made
the last remark to Ellis.
n have been frightened" | answered;
"but do not disturb yourself, Miss Burke,
ii was probably nothing"
at could not have been anything, or |
must have heard it, she said, half to me
aud half to Ellis.
"Pray, do not trouble yourself" re.
spOnded; 81 am only sorry yOn got up at
alln
She stayed for Il few moments, but get
ting no encouragement to remain, re.
turned to her own room, assuring me II
she heard sound she would be with me
in moment.
The instant she was safely gone turned
to Ellis, desiring her in the first place to
close and lock my door, and in thescCOnd
to prepare to remain with me until the
morning; for | was so unhinged by the
circumstance, thrilling though It was, that
to he left by myself was out Of tho ques-
ton.
Ellis had been with me from my mar.
riage, now three years, and had been well
known to my husbands family all her
life: consequently | felt | must trust her.
so | said: "Ellis, have my own Suspi.
cions; but we must do nothing until we
are sure. Meanwhile you must have n
bed made up in this room, and we must
watch"
Miss BurkcY whispered Ellis.
dyes" | replied; "ltwas she who tried
my door
"Wcll, ma'am,' coniided Ellis, al have
been downright afraid Of her this some
time back, civil spoken though she il.
But what could she want at your door !"
"That do not know; but we mny find
out"
by dint Of n blanket of my bed and
sinhry ahawls Ellis was made ComfOrta.
bic for the rest Of the night on the sofa,
aud returned to bed, not to sleep, for !
was thoroughly upset, but to lie and won.
| 1or hnw | waa nvnf In Vnt III FnIiVh the ion