The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-02-14

first thing after breakfast and see if any
thing was wrong with Mary or her
mother. The only thing that puzzled
me was that Martha should be mention
ed as deceiving Mrs. Benson. She act
ed as housekeeper and lady's maid to
her, and was believed to be most trust
worthy in every way. She had been
four years with her, and was much re-
spected. She was silent, reserved
kind of person, about 35 years of age.
One thing had often remarked about
her was, that when speaking to any one
she never looked straight at them; but
| thought it might be from kind of
shyness more than any thing else.
AS soon as breakfast was over set
off, telling my husband | would very
likely not return until the next day and,
if possible, he was to come for me. He
could drive over early and spend the
day; and we would return home togeth-
er in the evening, if all was well with
his mother.
When | arrived / found Mrs. Benson
and Mary looking as well as ever, and
every thing seemingly just as usual.
Martha was sitting at work in her little
room, which opened off Mrs. Benson's
dressing-room. | could not help look
ing at her more closely than | would
have done at another time, and I
thought | saw look of displeasure
cross her face-at seeing me. Mary and
her mother were, of course, delighted
to see me, and asked why Henry did
not come too. So | told them would
stay till the next day, if they would
have me, and Henry would come for me,
then. They were quite pleased at that
arrangement; for it was not very often
my husband could spend whole. day
with them.
AS the day passed on and nothing out
of the way happened, | began to think |
had frightened myself needlessly, and
that my dream or vision might have
been the result of an over-a anxious mind
And then Martha, what about her? AL
together | was perplexed. j did not
know what to think; but | still felt a
certain underlined uneasiness. i offered
up a silent prayer to be directed to do
right, and determined to wait patiently
and do nothing for while 1 almost
hoped [ might hear the voice again ,giy-
ing me definite instructions how to act.
Lunch passed and dinner also; and the
evening being very warm, for it was
the middle of July, we sat at the open
window enjoying the cooling breeze that
set in from the sea-
/ As they were early people, shortly
after 10 O'Clock we said g good night, .
and went up to our bedrooms. My
room looked on the avenue, some parts
of which were in deep shade, while in
other parts the moonlight shone bright
ly through breaks in the trees. did
not feel in the least sleepy; and, putting
out my candle, sat by the window,
looking at the lovely view; for | could
see the coast quite plainly, and the dis
tant sea glittered like silver in the
me- onlight. did not think how long |
had been sitting there, until I heard the
hall clock strike 12. Just then | heard,
as thought, footstep outside of my
door, which evidently stopped there,
and then in few seconds passed on. /
did not mind, thinking it might be one
of the servants, who had been up later
than usual, and was now going quietly
to bed. l began to undress, not light
ing the candle again, as | had light
enough from the moon. AS | came
towards the window to close it, l saw,
| exactly as in my dream, a female figure
evidently keeping in the shade of the
trees-going down the avenue. | de.
termined to follow and see who it was,
for now felt the warning voice was moi
sent to me for nothing, and seemed te
get courage, girl though 1 was, to fathon
the mystery. l hastily dressed, threw g
dark shawl over my head, and, going
noiselessly down stairs, opened the glass
door in the drawing room window, an6
left it so that could come in again
kept in the shade of the trees as mucl
as possible, and quickly followed the
path | had seen the woman take
Presently I heard voices; one was
mans, the other woman's. Bu
who was shep I came close, and 90
behind large group of thick shrubs.
they were standing in the light; l wa
in the deep shade. just then the wo
man turned her head towards me. I
was Martha! What did she want Their
at that hourp And who was this man
/ was puzzled. Where had / seen tha
face beforep for that i had seen it befor
| was certain; but where, and when,
could not remember. He was speakin
in low voice, and did not hear YER
distinctly what he said, but the last fe,
words were: And why not tonight
Delays are always dangerous, especial
now, as they are beginning to suspee
me.'' as s5 fss &ij a /
i ssBecause Mrs. Benson's daughter-ir
law is here, and she is sleeping in th
room over the plate closet, and woul
J be sure to hear the least noise. Wa