The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-03-26
THE DEATH-CAR.


wife instantly noticed the change. For a
few minutes she said nothing to him,
save cheerful words having no bearing
upon his mood. 1t had been raining, and
his outside garments were damp These
she assisted to remove as tenderly as if
he were delicate child. Such he was
not, but was, apparently, strong man
Of 40, who should have been without
hobbies Of ills, physical or mental. He
looked gloomily at the fire for while
until Mrs. Dedrick came with a warm
! drink. As he took the cup, she, standing
4 at his side, put her hands lovingly ON his
d shoulders.
u. "1s it the newspaper work. Paul, that
"a makes you 50 tired, so quietp she asked,
4 leaning forward to look into his face.
eA( "Or has Broadly been around again with
ibis billY Surely he will wait when he
lIgiknows that we are beginning to get along
ef |Dnce more"
I'd 20, no! neither of those" with sigh.
I'll "Are you sick, PaulT the sharp, eager
tone of anxiety coming into her voice.
Then she put her cheek to his, and her
aiOiIoft fingers caressingly threaded his hair.
NJ 'Tell me, DEAR" she pleaded, softly.
Il The shadows began to lift from his
tcwface. The set lines about his mouth re-
'Shlaxed. His eyes frightened. He put an
citlarm about her and drew her to his knee.
sdC "Thefe, there! Don't be frightened,
little one. Nowadays seem to be half
!, coward until I'm with you"
ioAt you're not we'll yet from the fever,
gf tPm afraid" taking his face in her hands.
u y PsrhaRs ..ar F, your brain plays traitor to
"Perhaps." He spoke as if he quite
1lnagreed with her. 81 hadn't thought of
ftthat. Now you speak of it, perhaps it is
hla trick of the brain. I've lost all conf
windence in my head" He smiled as he said
ffsh fslhh lit. The wife took courage.
lHl "Ah, that is natural-that look. Now
Mtell us why you had the bluesw
ssSSl 1T is after 2 o'clock in the morning,
lRl limy dear"
Il $50 much better; you will sleep the
1slonger for unburdening your mind" she
on urged.
N "Think so? It's been true in other
oee cases, l know. Shall l confess my weak
ai ness? Well, then, Kate, I've had a
vision. Now don't draw away and look
III at Ne sol l couldn't prevent it,could Ip'
Il II suppose not" she answered, but
who would think man like you, turn.
= ing like grindsuone to sharpen the pub.
b lie, could be superstitious? Not ], my
husband"
,! II am not superstitious, Kate Be just
Il to mel"
Y "But when one does not see; when one
II only imagines," she said. The impossible
| Is increditable. But what was the Wis
\ ion?" o.
h "You insist upon hearing about it?
Il eyes"
4 'It is kind of comical as we'll as tragi.
Il CAL" he said, taking one Of her hands be-
| tween his own and smoothing it gently
p so much the BETTER" she responded
,! cheerfully.
i "Well, to begin"
: eyes, to begin"
! 81 was coming home. The last car had
] gone. 1t is always gone when you want
It most. did want it tonight, for the
mist was heavy. | always turn at Grant
) street, lust because the cars turn there,
suppose. Habit you see. Well, you
, know where those two vacant squares Of
, land area desolate place at its best.
| Not light was visible ahead of me, save
the lamps at the corners, which shone
! like tallow candles.
"The gas companies ought to be made
20 supply better gas" said Mrs. Ded-
rick, very decidedly.
!. ssThat is not to the case, my dear. As
I was about to say, the night was very
still-so still could hear the dropping
| of the water from the mist-laden leaves
on the trees. When | was about half
way along those blocks heard very
peculiar sound. Twas the muffled
!, rumble Of N approaching car, coming
r from the direction in which had come
! "How could that be, Paulp' asked hi
I wife, with tone Of Indignation in hel
IS voice. "You said the last car had al
~ ready gone when you started?'
I "That's what puzzles me-" remarked
te Dedrick. "The last car had gone.
|Hc HS knew it. So, knowing this ! turne(
Ri3 around with feeling of alarm
e, Then saw the strangest sight man evel
|Ersh beheld."
IN He shuddered as he spoke, and hi
!? u sympathetic wife, touching his forehead
|bwsE felt cold perspiration upon it.
teaC "You are sick,' she exclaimed, tryinI
p Il to rise.
|irS "Nol no my dear. 1t is only the re
F@S membrance of the vision," pulling he
|os,t closer to him..
FL Continue" said Mrs. Dedrick afte
|dad' minutes silence. "You saw stree
"! car"
he'd "No, my dear, ! didn't see one; onl.
thought saw one. There was something
|er@ close behind me that had every appear
nj ance Of being such car. But the light
Fast were out"
IsI "how could you see anything then,
sd inquired his wife.
Il "As plain as daylight. There was
So4 phosphorescent glow about the vehicle
,e3 The whole street had blush yellow
yI glare. When first turned around ther
pa9 were three things on the front platform
Il One of them was completely muffied up
"