Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-09-23
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1t was an intense relief to me when she
at last rose from her chair and begged
me to excuse her tor retiring to her own
room.
II shall have trying day Tomorrow"
she said
my husbands relations will be here.
You know them, ! suppose ?''
answered in the affirmative.
Il shall count upon your assistance in
the task that lies before me- she said
abruptly And with kindly pressure OF
the hand. she glided away. meanwhile
standing with the door-handle in my
hand, and watching the serpentine folds
Of the costly dress wind slowly up the
stairs.
Then l went back to my chair and re-
lapsed into meditation.
Il wish had seen SYLVIA thought
tn myself, and while 30 thinking ! fell
asleep.
do not know how long I slept. but
this do kilow--that a strange and vivid
dream shaped itself in my brain, and took
something Of the tenor Of my waking
thoughts.
In my dream thought was in the
vast gloomy bedroom my uncle used 10
occupy.
At first it seemed to me all dark and
quite untenanted. but gradually faint
light stole through the gloom, and showed
me one after another Of the various arti-
cles Of furniture.
1t showed me, too, a stranger, sadder
sight than ala large oak coffin. sup
ported on tressels, and covered with
heavy black velvet.
Bending over the coffin was the slender
figure OF a girl. Her back was toward
me, so ! could not see her face, only the
coils Of bright rich hair that crowned her
small and shapely head
/ seemed to watch her with strange aud
curious emotion. She drew the pail from
the coffin, and lifted the lid with apparent
ease. Then saw the old familiar face,
80 hard and grim and stern that even
death could not soften or bcautiiv it with
its seal of endless rest.
The girl bent over and kissed the dead
mans brow, then drew ;Ssmall sealed
packet from the bosom Of her dress and
placed it on his breast, covering 1t with I
linen shroud that wrapped him IN its
folds. At the same moineut voice
sounded clear and shril in the silence.
Sylvia ~ it cried, and awoke with a
violent start to find the fire nearly ont
and Thompson standing regarding me
with grave. puzzled face.
You were asleep, SIR he insinuatcd
gently as gazed ut him in the bewider-
ment of my startled and scarcely recov-
cred senses.
Yes-no-I mean suppose was, |
answered, rising and shaking myself from
the lethargy of that strange stupor. Did
you speak. Thompson, just before woke?
l thought heard someone call"
Maybe you did. sir. " he answered, with
grim smile rs of repressed amusement !;
but it was not me you heard"
''No?' said, with apparent carelessness.
"Who then? Any one in the house,
"Yes, sir, in the house, and in this
room, too"
..Indeed." answered somewhat curl
ously rs glanced hurriedly around.
well. Ill you must know. sir. twas your
self" Thompson said. grinning outright
in what seemed to me Il particularly uncall-
ed for and reprehensble manner.
what did say?" inquired with be-
coming carelessness. Il know was dream
ing"
$50 | thought. sir. You only said one
word but You did hollna that out. and no
mistake" Aud he grinncd again.
What was the wurl9 You seem amused.
my good friend" observed with grim hui
NOR.
well, SIR" he answered, looking at
me with curious twinkle in his eye. ''you
just shouted ont ut the top of your voice,
sylvia
CONTINUED Tomorrow