South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1877-03-16

4 |.fnH I.H r. 80 r
81 have heard OF persons whose hair
vas whitehead through excessive fear,
bu. as never saw myself any one so
Affected. l am disposed 10 be incrcdu-
ious on tho subject" 49,, 800
| The above remark was made to DIR.
Maynard rs we sat on the piazza OF his
pretty villa, discussing the effects OF
terror on dissiinilar temperamcnts.-
Without replying to me. tue Doctor
turned to his wife and said: Helen,
Will you please relate TO my old friend
the incident within your own experienced
1t is the most convincing argument
can advance.
looked at her hair, which was luxu.
RANT aid dressed very becomingly. was
purely colorlcss; but as she MAS young
woman, and also very pretty ono, 1
surmised that it was powdered to height
Ell the brilliancy of her fine eyes.
! The Doctor and l hal been fellow.
students. but after leaving college, we
had drifted apart to commence prac.
tice in an Eastern city, he to pursue his
profession IN growing town i'm the
! West. 1 was now Oh visit to him for
the first time since his marriage.
Mrs Maynard no doubt. reading nv
superstition by my look of incredulity
smiled as she shook her snowy tressos
over her shoulders, and seating herself
by her husbands side, related the fol-
lowing episode ~ -i..s4 Ii.
IT is nearly two years ago since my
husband was called on one evening to
visit patient several miles away. Our
domcstics bad all gone to a wake" in
the vicinity. the dea mau being rela-
tive OF one OF Our serving women. Thus
l was left alone. But felt no fear, for
we never had heard Of burglars or any
sort OF desperadoes in our quiet village.
then consisting OF few scattering hou.
ses. The windows leading out on the
piazza were open as now, but secured
The blinds before my husbands depart.
ure, and locked the outside doors, all
except the front one. which left for
the Doctor to lock after going out, so
that. if should fall asleep before his
return. he could enter without arousinu
me. heard the Doctors rapid foot
steps on the gravel. quickencd by the
urgent tones OF the messenger who 4.
waited hIm and after the sharp rattle
oil carriage wheels had become but an
echo, seated myself by tho parlor astral
and soon became absorbed in the book
l had boen reading before being Il sturb.
cd by the summons. But after a time
my interest succumbed to drowsiness.
IL thought of retiring when the clock in
the Drs.stady adjoining the parlor struck
II, so | determined to wait a few mo.
ments more, feeling that he would be
home soon. closed my book. donned
n la lknt NI.ra Lot Il
ana Their returned to my scat to patiently
wait and listen. Notthc faintest sound
disturbed the stiffness ofthe night. Not
breath of air stirred the leaf. The
silence was SD profound that it became
oppressive. / longed for the sharp
click of the gate latch and The we'll
known step on the gravel WALK. / did
not dare to break the hush myself by
moving or singing, was so oppressed
by the deep stiffness. The human mind
Is strange torturer of itself. began
to conjurc up vivid fancos about ghost.
~ visitants. in the midst OF which occur.
red TO me the stories | had heard from
superstitious people about the troubled
spirits OF those who had died suddenly
Ike the man whom my servants had zone
TO wake, who had been killed bv ac
cldent on saw-mll. In the midst OF
chesc terri ylng reilectioas,l was startled
oy stealthy football on the piazza. |
listened between fear and hope. 1t might
DC inc Doctor. But no, lie would not
treat like mat the step was too soft and
cautious Tor anything less willy than n
cat. AS listened again my eyes were
hXed on the window blind. | saw the
Stats move slowly and softly, and then
the rays OF the moon disclosed a thin.
cadavcTous face and bright olitterinp
eyes pcering ri me. o horror who was
IL? or what was IL? felt the cold nor.
spiration start ut every pore. / seemed
TO be frozen in my chair. conld NOT
move coui,l not cry out; my tongue
seeiheh glued To The roof Of my mouth.
while the IDENTIFY white face pressed clos
er and the great sunken eyes wandered
IN their gaze about the room. In few
moments the blind closed noiselessly rs
1t had opened, and the cautious footsteps
+ came near tho door. "Mcrcirul Heaven -
! oiled ~ horror.stricken whisper. rs
heard The key turn in the lock. "thc
Doctor III his haste must have forgotten
to Withdraw the key"
God forgive me :" calculated DIR.
Maynard. intcrrupting his wife and
looking far I.ore excited then she. 81
can never forgive myself for such n
thougbtless act. Please proceed my
dear. ~
81 heard tho front door open. the
step in tie hall, and helpless as n statue
sat rlvitcd to my chair. The parlor.
door was open and in IL stood tall thin
man whom ] never bcheli before. lie
was dressed in n long loose robe-a sor.
OF gaberdine. and black velvet skull.
cap partially concealed n broad forehead.
under which CLEANED black eyes. bright
as living Goals, and placed so near to.
gether that their gaze was preternatnral
M It's directness; heavy 0rizzled evo.