Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-16

into the place, and stood like a rock in
the center of the apartment, gaping from
side to side with harsh, disagreeable
leer. The ladies screamed, and several
of them tainted. Mary Dithmar shrank
back and clung to me in sheer terror.
"Who is it" L asked, when l had re-
covered from my temporary astonish-
ment.
But Mary could not reply. Speech
less and pale as a ghost, she gazed at
the intruder like one turned to stone.
The whole Dithmar family stood as if
transfxed.
Bah :" cried the man, sternly, {" 80
this is what you do while you think me
dead, eh, Joseph Dithmar? But you see
am alive yet, and am come at last to
denouce your crimes and those of your
fiendish family. You thought you had
murdered me, ell Well, it wasn't your
fault that am alive Your hired assas-
sins betrayed you. Why don't you well
come me Where's your hospitality 2"
The guests stared at one another and
at their host at this speech, in stupid
amazement. At length Dithmar grew in
measure calm, and addressing his
friends, said, in an unsteady voice
Gentlemen, ladies, friends, this is
an unfortunate scene try to forget it. l
will explain at another time. Now please
leave us.
Still the intruder stood undisturbed
and frowning in his position, and Ar
thur, who had sprung forward toward
him as if to eject him or administer per-
sonal chastisement, was caught and held
midway by his father. 1t was a strange
and incomprehensible affair and the
guests evidently did not know what to
make Of it, as by ones and twos they
slowly departed
Mary" said I to my companion,
"let me take you into the air-anywhere
from here. This is awful"
"No," she replied, firmly, 81 must
remain with my family and share the
worst with them. %
Aud with gentle force she led me to
the outer door. | went home astounded
What could all this mean? Had there
been fraud and attempted murder by
the family I had so long revered ? L
could not believe it. I resolved to have
my doubts cleared by personal explana-
ton the following morning.
Duff had vacated my apartments dur
ing my absence, and, thank Heaven I
was alone with my thoughts and my sor-
rows. [ went to bed and dreamed. My
dreams were in the last degree awful
awoke in cold sweat, and found
that it was daybreak. [ rose, dressed
myself, and hurried to Dithmer's. Judge
of my surprise, on approaching the
house, to find it open, and the lights of
the night before all still burning the
house had evidently. been open ever
since the sudden exodus of the guests. l
shuddered, and nameless presentiment
of evil fastened on me as I entered the
mansion. 1t WAS deserted. l went into
the ballroom; it was silent and empty.
/ searched chamber after chamber-all
vacant. called aloud on Mary, on all
the late occupants; no response; and I
threw myself down in chair and groan-
ed.
Just then heard heavy step near
me, and in marched the intruder of last
night in Dithmar's dressing-gown and
slippers, calmly smoking short, black,
stupid-looking clay pipe. He took the
pipe from his mouth and surveyed me
coolly and deliberately, but said not a
word. All of the anger in my nature
was aroused at the sight of this accursed
wretch, and went toward him with q
look of rage. He put his pipe back into
his mouth, and, folding his arms over
his breast, continued his survey, still
without word.
"Devil !" ] cried, "who are you, and
what is your fiendish power over this
house and this family9"
The smoker smiled, and only said
"Do you like music 2"
Was ever such a question asked at
such time was thunderstruck, and
remained with my hands clenched, 81
lently staring.
"Do you like music2"
The question was repeated; and with
out waiting this time for an answer, the
strange being glided to the open piano
and sitting on the stool, pipe still il
mouth, played gracefully and elegantly
some of the wild, stormy music o.
"Robert lie Diable." Then, having con
cluded his Instrumentation, he sang, il
soft and almost feminine voice
" Robert, Robert toi que j'ajme," " from
the same great work of Meyerbeer. The
man was evidently forgotten in thu
musician; for when the performel
opened his lips to give vent to the frs
words of the song, his pipe tumblet
from between his teeth, and was dashed
to fragments on the floor. / remained
wonder smitten and still. At length thu
song being concluded, the man turned
toward me as if for appreciation.
Among my other qualities I was al
enthusiast in music; and full of horro
for the individual before me as / was,
could not help inwardly admiring hi
mastery over the science of harmony