Mexico weekly ledger., 1877-07-26

was 80 profound that II became op-
lpressive. I Ionged for the sharp click
Of the gate-latch and well-known step
on the gravel walk. I did not dare to
break the silence myself by moving or
singing, 4 was so oppressed with the
deep stiffness. The human mind is q
strange torturer of itself. l began to
conjecture up the vivid fancies about
lghostly yisitants, in the midst of which
occurred to me the stories / had often
heard from superstitious people about
the troubled spirits of those who had
died suddenly, like the man whom my
servants had gone to sgake," who
had been killed by an accident at the
saw-miH, In the midst of these ter
rifying reflections, was startled by a
Istealthy football on the piazza. ]
listened between fear and hope. 1t
might. be the doctor. But no, he
would not tread like that the step
was too soft and cautious for anything
less willy than a eat. As I listened
again, my eyes were fixed on the win
dow-blind, saw the Stats move slow
ly and cautiously, and then the rays
of the moon disclosed a thin, cadayer-
GUS face, and bright glittering eyes,
peering at me. oh, horror who was
it! or what was it! L felt the cold
perspiration start at every pore. l felt
like was frozen in my chair. i could
not move; 1 could not cry out; my
tongue seemed glued to the roof of
my month, while the deadly white
face pressed closer, and the great
sunken eyes wander in their gaze
about the room. In few minutes
the blind closed as noiselessly as it
had opened, and the cautious foot
steps came toward the door. " Mer-
ciful Heaven cried, in a horror
stricken whisper, as heard
the key turn in the lock, $ the doc
tor in his haste must have forgotten
to withdraw the key"
"God forgive met" calculated DR..
Maynard, interrupting his wife, and
looking far more excited than she.
81 can never forgive myself for such
thoughtless act. Please proceed my
DEAR
i" heard the front door open, the
step In the hall, and, helpless as d
statue, l sat riveted to my chair.
The parlor door was open, and in it
stood a tall thin man, whom neye
beheld. He was dressed in a long,
loose robe, sort of gaberdine, and
black velvet skull cap, partially con-
cSled, broad forehead, under which
Esseing black eyas, b-ia,s" 90 "''ns
GOALS, and placed so near together that
their gaze was preternatural in its di-
rictness, heavy grizzled eye brows
hung over them like the tangled name
of lion the nose was sharp and pro-
minent. the chin was overgrown with
white hair, which hung down in locks
as weird as the Ancient Mariners.
He politely dotted his cap, bowed, re
placed it and then said, in slightly
foreign accent.
"Madam, it is not necessary for me
to stand upon any other ceremony as
your husband, DIR. Maynard, (here-
upon he again bowed profoundly,
has already acquainted you with the
nature of my visit here tonight. 81
perceive" he added, glancing at my
neglige robe, ''that you were expect
ing to see me-"
ss No." / found voice to stammer.
L" The doctor has said nothing to me
about visitor at this late hour of the
night"
"Ah! he wished to spare you, no
doubt, q disagreeable apprehension"
he returned, advancing and taking a
seat on the sofa opposite me, where
for few mements he sat and eyed me
from head to foot with a strange gilt
tering lignt in his eyes that mysteri-
ously impressed me. 6 You have a
remarkably fine physique, madam"
he observed, quietly, tone chat might
deceive the eye of the most skilled and
practical of physicians. Do you suf-
fer much pain?''
Unable to speak, | shook my head.
A terrible suspicion was creeping over
me. I was alone, miles away from
all aid or rescue, with mad man.
"Ah!" he continued, refiectively,
s"'your husband may have mistaken
q tumor for a cancer. Allow me to
feel your pulse, " he said, raising and
bending over me.
/ thought it best to humor him, re-
membering it was unwise for help
less woman to oppose the as yet harm
less freak of lunatic. He took out
his watch, shook his head grayely,
laid my hand down gently, then went
toward the study, where, on the table
was an open case of surgical instru
ments. .a'e-
'sDo not be alarmed, madam" he
said to me as I was about to rise and
fee. and i'm another instan he was by
my side, and with the case in his pos.
session. saE
Insoluntarily raised my hand and
cried; "Spare me! Obi pare me I
beseech youi'r ssMadam," he said
sternly, clasping my wrist with his
lxx., G,x1rarp nth orpsf, of