The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1879-08-07

F FfAN = HA4afH Hf EAsH = tHAAft ~ !
lie rose from his seat, when a suddei
thought seemed 10 strike him, snd b
resumed bis chair, sAYing, ia forgotten
Tbcy bsve taken my Arpetbag up stair
to the room Yea ssh see them ~ bed
lims
About eleven, VIC rose 70 70 10 onl
room. Ny companion preceded me.
sought The landlord 10 ask that Should
be called At halfpsst four, 50 that nigh
dress aud breakfast st my leisure beior,
taking the coach again. ! fingered, chat
ting, for ten inmates or 70 with mine
host When al last entered the bed
chamber, | found my roommate bad
made good use Of bis time, and was A.
ready ia bed, with the coyerlot drawn ~
TO bis very ears, as II il bad been De
cember instead OF June. Making no COM
ment, however, ! was soon occupying the
second couch, which stood in recess 10
the inner extremity OF the room, on one
side Of the great fireplace.
| did not sleep we'll had teasing
dream, witch recurred sgsiu and again.
II seemed TO me that some one was NOV.
ing about the room with eyes fixed Oh
me. Once | thought this figure approach
ed my bed, and hand touched me.
reused with start. When my eyes
became accustomed to the darkness, saw
the old gentleman looking out Of the
window by his bedside. He said be had
been disturbed, and be supposed the
wedding guests were just returning.
Gay voices outside, presently followed
by footsteps ascending the stairs, and
mutual good-nights exchanged, oorrobor-
sted this conjecture.
Soon all became quiet, and again fell
asleep, aud was again disturbed. This
time was sure that there were steaithy
feet creeping around the room, and that
q hoarse voice WAS mutterDg. listened
aud distinctly heard the words, The win
OF Fate called out; 4H
Who ia therel tH 8Rs
No answer followed. The muttering
ceased. | heard the feet creeping away
toward the other bed. could not stand
the suspense, aud sprang up and lighted
the candle in an instant.
There was no person In the room but
the old gentleman, who wassitliug up in
bed, looking startled,
Did you hear that noise? Were you
walking aboutY asked.
Walking about? be replied, am only
just this moment awake. | heard you
call out, aud reused 10 see what was the
matter.
Pm sure heard footsteps aud voices,
TOO, in this rooml
Voices IN the rooml You're surely
mistaken.
I'm not mistakenl ! repeated, testify.
Why, could even distinguish words.
Something was said about The win of
Fate.
lie laughed conlusedly as he replied,
I'm afraid I've been talking in my sleep
again. Ny friends say I'm addicted to
that bad habit, aud | suppose say all
sorts of things. think 1t is very likely
you heard me; and as to the footsteps,
perhaps our friends next door may have
been restless.
listened, but could hear no sound.
This explanation did not satisfy me. |
looked at my watch. II was just two
o'clock.
1t is very strange, but those steps were
in this room, said. | will let the candle
burn for the rest Of the night, 1t will be
daylight now 10 an hour and bali, and
|, for enc, shall be glad TO see II. Ii |
believed In ghosts, should think this
room was haunted. lay down again,
if possible, not to 20 to sleep.
The noises were not repeated. Silence
perysded the honse, unbroken, except by
the breathing OF the old gentleman, who,
il was evident, was now sleeping sound
ly. lie was not frightened; that was
certain.
mused on these things for some time.
Those strange words, The Win Of Fate,
what did they mean7 Just thea IL occur
red to me that my iellow.passenger had
used such AN expression the evening be.
fore, when | first offered to share my
room with him. He must haye been
talking in his sleep, after all. l'm a fool
to think so much about II.
tossed And tumbed, and again con.
suited my watch.
Ooly twenty minutes Of three! Oh,
that morning would comel
glanced across the room, aud fancied
for an instant that saw my companions
eyes wide open watching me; but when
| sat up in bed to satisfy myself about it,
be seemed to be sound asleep. By this
time, began to be ashamed Of myself
Tue house was so quiet II seemed absurd
to be keeping vigil. Nature began 10
assert her claims, too, and settling back
GU the pillow again, presently lost con.
scioIsness.
When | swoke again, it was broad
daylight. My fellow.trayeler was al
ready dressed, aud stood with his back to
me BY the open window near the dressing
table. | was about to say good-morBing,
when heard him mutier to himself
Its the will OF Fate. There's no re-
slsling H. | call on you to witness
extending Que hand, as If appealing 10 an
assembled company-l'm only al IN.
thinking agent 10 this matter. His blood
be on Faies bead, not mine. I've en-
listed In her service, and I'm bound 10
obey orders