Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-09-05

behind counter from daylight to
dark, she had even applied, in vain,
for a situation as waitereSs in re5tau-
rant.
And Just as she was making up her
mind to starve quietly to death came
this offer, extended through the influ-
ence of an old professor who had
known her once; and Rachel Hall had
grasped as it AS dying man grasps at
a straw.
Il must succeed she told herself
over and over. 81 will succeed, il l
have to sit up all night long to keep
myself well in advance of the pupils
For Rachel had as brave heart beat
ing within her bosom as if she had
been the heroine Of novel, instead Of
a poor little hard-wOrking school teach
er. %.
As these thoughts crossed through
her mind there was the crushing OF
wheels without, and the coach rumbled
into view, its lamps shining luridly
through the storm like the eyes Of
lsome antediluvIan monster. The land
lady opened the door.
Now, miss, il you're ready said
she. And, half-blinded by the con-
trast between the ligh ghted and room the
sleety gloom Of the road, Rachel hurri-
ed out.
Are there any other inside passen-
gers" she asked, trying to peer into the
pitchy darkness of the stage-coach, as
the driver stood by the open door.
Only enc, miss said he, with a
grain; for Geneva Heights. And he
won't trouble you, l guess. Look
lively, if you please, miss. We're'han
an hour behind now
Cannot l have a light inside here"
said Rachel, seating herself rather re-
luctantly among the cushions OF the
back seat. resrt tar.--.
We've lighted it twice, miss said
the driver, twice, the wind has
blown it out. And besides that, miss,
it amt altogether safe, what with the
straw, the leather linin', and ALL
With this the Jehu once more climb
ed up on his airy height, where u
taciturn companion sat slapping his
hands across his chest to keep himself
warm, and poor Rachel sank shudder-
ing back into the Inusty-smelllng re-
cess Of the coach, rather wondering
that her fellow traveller, whose figure
she could dimly discern in the other
corner, spoke no word of comment
or greeting.
To be sure she was a stranger, but
was there not always a sort OF Free
masonary Of courtesy between travel
|ers22 -s.-ss-s s--.--a..-. -
NO doubt be Is 8 sour old misan-
throper said she to herself. -
E Aud she sat very quiet, for fear she
should disturb him.
Presently, however, - the silence be-
gan to grow almost appalling.
Il will speak, thought Rachel; and,
with a preliminary clearing of the
throat, she began, This is terribly
rough road, sir
There WAS nU ans Wer. A
He didn't hear me- she thought,
and repeated her remark in little
louder tone. =rr.
Still there was no response. 81
I <'Deaf, ,perhaps,' Thought she. Well,
L shall not try it again.
But she began to grow terribly nerv'
GUS and uncomfortableg in. the horrible
gloom and silence that seemed to wrap
around her like shroud and all sorts
of grisly possibilities began to occur to
her abuOrmally'eXcited fancy.
Gould it be- she thought, that this
was some poor iunatic, whom they
were transporting to the private asy ium
at Geneva Heights?'
And at the very idea her blood be-
gan to run chill through her veins.
Should she stop the stage?-5hould she
call aloud for help?
Just then they rumbled past the
lights of . toll7gate, and from the one
swift glance which Rachel was enabled
to. take, she could perceive, that the
figure diagonally opposite her was
wrapped in travelling rug and it re-
clined stitily, as if it were perfectly
rigid, and that the face was deadly
pallid, and without hat.
And then with lightning suddennes5
it flashed upon her that sire was shut
up in the same place with-a dead
man!
In vain she tugged at the checkstring
aud ratified at the door-the former
was broken beyond all possibility of
use, and the noise and jolting OF the
wheels entirely drowned all other
sounds.
On went the stage rattling down a
descent af if some unseen fiehd we're at
the horses heels, and poor Rachel
erouched down in her corner of the
stage, pale and palpitating, with dew
of cold terror breaking out upon her
forehead, aud eyes close shut to avoid
The ghastly sight opposite.
But there is an end TO all things,
even TO walking nightmare like this,
and in the course of time the stage
came 10 stop, the driver once more
descended from his seat and flung open
the door. asa
Halfway house, miss said he.
Hadn't you better step out and have
u warm while we're changing horses?
Moredead thanl alive Rachel STUN
bled out, clinging to the arm of the
driver. 49, t-
But the instant sh+ felt herself free,
with the lights Of the wayside hOstelry
shining on her face, and the welcome
sound of human voices once more in
her ears, she plucked up resolve.
Sir said she to the landlord who
stood beaming Oh the threshold, to
you l appeal for protection and help!
There Is some horrible mystery herep
'Eh?' said the landlord, opening his
eyes and mouth simultaneously.
For the sake of humanity persist
ed Rachel, look afterthe other inside
passenger. See who be is, and what
he is E
But at these words the man who had
sat with the driver, and who had been
drinking glass of mulled ale before
the bar-room fire, emerged into the
lscene.H ~ --=-- -sF- -r-s-r- -,