Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-01-16

that the hl5h road !pfNCd TO the right ana 10
the left, just at that point.
at was 4 tall narrow, thrcc-story fame
house in very ur'aIntrd and dllapidatcd
condition. The outside prcscntmcnt. how
ever, was, if anything, more agreeable than
that which bchcid within doors.
The landlord met me at the door and in
troduccd me into II gloomy .ittlc room on the
left of the cold, dark, uncarpc;ed hall ltwas
close in structure, and in atmosphere too,
having that disagrceahlc. Stuiiy odor which
imprcgnates the air, in all apartments
which are not frequently open to Sunshine
and breeze.
The evening was cold and dreary, and
my disappointment at not meeting Clarke,
according to his promise, made me SO down
hearted that felt ready to burst into tears;
but the curious eyes that pcrrcd at me from
doors and windows were incentives enough
/ for an exhibition Of strength rather than
. weakness
/ "Tuc Iandlady came in after Il while ard
invited me into Il low, damp room, where
| supper was set. Tie fare was homely, but
indeed acceptable after our journey, to both
Eddie and myself.
my nervous prcsentimcnt of danger.
/ however, seemed to gather strength every
moment.
"At table was served by Il man whose
/ hiIcouS coUnIrnancc was worse than the
nightmare by JEALOUSY bred
lie eyed me with u persistent curiousity
III his gaping sensual mouth, and pale in
, famed, blue eyes, that almost drove me to
distraction.
'.is often as | met lis gaze | shu,ldsred,
as from Il loathS me touch, and wi-hcd-oh,
how wildly for CIarlic's noble presence
and his protecting arm.
'Ihi> abhorrcd creature with his horrible
eyes attempted 10 pet my little Eddie, bat
the child >hrank from him ilst aS did,
and gnominiou>ly rejected the advances that
were made
The tim: for retiring for the night at last
came round, and rs it WAS long past the
hour when could hope for Clarkc'S arrival,
and As had no excuse to teign that | might
remain longer in tie public room, | rose re-
luctanty and f,!owci my landiady out into
the nall and up the crcaking, narrow flights
Of stairS-ior She .ayene an apartment III the
attic OF the house. .n,erling, when questioned
as to the reason, t,'at her house was 50
crowded that S:r was una be to eXt:ad more
Comfortable accommodate ms.
"Irgmbliug with ii.-Ictncl fear, hade
the .a'dady goodnight, and standing at my
open door, counted the sounds Of her foot
steps doNn the stair.
"Re,urning to the hearth where few
iaggotr b!azcd and smoked, took Eddie on
my knee and prepared the little fellow for
his nights rest.
"Whi.c wa, hearing his prayers, he sud
denly intercepted mo:
"Mamma,' he asked, looking up in my
anxious face, with his hluc, peaceful eye.
Mamma, do you like that man with the
ug!y face down-~tairs?'
My son. why do you ask me such
question:? | enquirvd, almost brcu,hlc>>!y.
"'Because | DON'T he replied, my>tcr-
iously.
"Why not? asked, smiling, in spite of
my anxiety, at the wi-c look ON hi, coun-
/ tcnancc.
"'B,cau>e he snapped his eyes and turned
! 50 rcd in the face when he saw the god i'll
Your purse that you took out to pay the
driver answered Eddie.
"'NonScnse, darling, you should not sus-
pect persons Of evil; it is always sad enough
when we find it out.
II stopped and kissed my child, but my
! heart beat loudly with fear found it i'm
| possible to control, struggle with my self, and
laugh at my ,imldity as would.
"For long viii after Eddie went to bed,
| sat musing by the hcarthStonc, starting
! hurriedly at every creaking sound or foot
step could hear without.
1.-The fre-!ight threw long, fantastic
shadows ON the ceiling and the walls, and
cowcrct. closer and Shuddered nervou>ly as
watched them lcngthcn and darken as the
faggots dropped into ashes.
AT last, prepared for bed, attempted to
! secure tnc uOOr lor tlc nlput, Dut IL Ilau no
fastcnings upon it Of any kind or quality.
"To retire in that unprotected fashion, in
a strange house, and alone, was something
could not think of for an Instant.
FINALLY, an idea presented itself which
seemed entirely feasible.
"Exerting myself 10 the utmost pushed
an old-laShioncd chest Of drawers against the
door, and ON top of it piled the TWO stiff
backed wooden chairs the room afforded
after this cxrrtion, feeling more COM
posed and satisfied, retired and fell into a
heavy slumbcr.
"IIow long lay there cannot tell.
at surely could not have been many mo-
moments, when | was suddenly startled into
the most intense Consciousness that there
was some one in the room beside little Eddie
and myself, for distinctly heard heavy and
laborcd breathing.
"Lying there, with my startled, wide
awake eyes. wondering how this invisible
person could have entered, glanced coward
the door, bat the chest of drawers and the
chairs remained sationary-a> had placed
them upon getting into bed-and surely no
one could have entered through the door