Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-01-18

weird, melancholy legend had inlecteu
US botn with undefned sensation of OPP
preston and fear, presentiment Of
dread and evil. We Kept our places
by the window, looking out into the
deep, velvety darkness, with the far
away solitary light from the light
house cleaning like a red spark.
Suddenly, while we sat, the sound
OF voice rose again from the lonely
santls, moaning, piteous voice wall
ing and imploring as If in unutterable
distress. IL seemed to mingle with the
boom of the distant sea, now rising,
now falling, a lonely desolate vail,
Thrilling through the darkness like a
soul in mortal agony. 1t WAS dying
away in the distance, in a low, faint
sob, when Nellie suddenly spTang back
into the room. a y ~ zer-u. r.
% Jean, lookn she cried, Look, the
phantom light!'
leaned out of the window, and
gazed out along the promenade. Flash
ing through the somber darkness like q
great star, was brilliant, beautiful
light. 1t came rapidly toward US from
the right, apparently floating in the
air; and illuminating the space before
|
swiftly, with steady, forward mo-
ton, floating absut yard from the
ground. As it came nearer, We per-
ceived, looming dimly behind it, q gi-
ant shadow, weird and grotesque, with
Outspread wings and misty, underlined
form, while sharp rustling whirring
sound accompanied its progress.
As the phantom approached, the
desulate moaning rose again from the
sands, and swept along in low, shud-
dering cries, dying away. sad and pit
eous as before. With the last faint
sound, the light leaped up for one sec
oad into intense bTiIliancy, and disap-
peared. 1a
or cried Nellie, fearfully. What is
it, Jean?'
Il don't know replied, feeling
of unaccountable dread and horror Ia
king hold of me. The very demon OF
fear seemed to possess my senses; an
icy grasp of terror laid hold of my
heart.
The air outside seemed to have be.
come suddenly clamDy and cold; a
chilly eerie wind crept in at the win
dow. The very darkness seemed fill.
ed with shapes, hideous and impalpa-
BILE, at which Idared not look Jest they
should take form before my eyes.
There il is againp shuddered Mel
lie. -s.,.-.
And with unutterable dread we saw
he brilliant star-like light again float.
ing toward US, this tune from the right
hand.
1t came on swiftly, with the impal.
10 g., :. n oAnx,r in fho air q hove
it, and, when exactly opposite, van
ished. s.7.as 81 u. 81
We sat paralyzed with terror, not
daring TO move, a horrible, benumb
ing terror seiziLg our hearts. @
This phenomenon happened several
times, the light alternately appearing
from the right and left, and always
vanishing when exactly opposite to Us,
and always ysacconpanied by the moan
ing voice.
Again the low wailing sounds from
The sands, profoundly melancholy, in
expressibly mournful, like nothing
akin to humanity. No words were
uttered, but the agony was like voice
from the grave.
Jean, Jean, here it is again!' cried
Nellie, covering in my arms.
And once more the brilliant phan-
tom light appeared. This Time 1t came
ON more slowly, glancing to and fro
unsteadily, while the shadowy form
behind it seemed more grotesque and
misty than ever.
% Jean, il it is true! If it comes TO
forettl II some loss, some trouble! sob
bed Nellie in tears.
Hush, hush, dear!' tried to say
reassuringly. 1t cannot be. Sorrow
may come to us if God wills it, but
not through
Il say, old fellow shouted q voice
down below ia the darkness. .You1l
frig ghten somebody into fl.s with that
lantern dodge OF yours. You and your
confoundad bicycle look like some hor-
rible, ghostly specter, fitting along in
the dark. You gave me precious
start, can tell you.' Nellie and l
jumped to our feet, and gazed incredu-
lously out of the window. Down be-
low in the road, ysed or Two to the
right the phantom light stood stations-
ry at last. In the glare before 1t q
young fellow was standing, while be-
hind looIned the fantastic, mysterious
shadow robbed of all its terrors in q
moment.
'Isn'tit stunning dodge?' said the
shadow, in most unghostly slang.
You see, Jack, this asphalt's first rate
TO practice on; but a fellow has no
chance in the daytime for those con-
founded carriages; sol riggcd out Ibis
dark lantern and fastened it to my BIZ
cycle, and | Can spin along in peace
row. ER FE#
Take care you don't spin away the
wits of all the Old maids on the PROM
enade,' returned the other. You
look most horribly like some goblin
from the lower regions, with your
dark Lantern flashing in front; those
noiseless wheels and your long legs
and arms spread out like great wings
Behind
The other laughed. 8TTA FAC ITA
The old maids are all fast asleep
long ago, bless their old eyes, he re-
turned irreverently. But say, Jack,
the match for the iour-oars will have
to be put off, to-rnorrow; we are going
to have an awful storm. Listen! how
the wind signs and moans among the
girlers of the pier! 1t sounds for all
the " orld like some one calling out in
distress, and It's sure sign of rough
weather. What rage Gregory will
be iii if IN
The two old maids had heard quite
enough. Nell and L looked at each
other sheepishly, it must be. confessed,
and then burst into hearty laugh.
Everlasting Harvest.
Santa Cr,Iz (Cal- n Courier.