Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1881-11-04


She Was SO absorbed in its contents.
that she was startled when she heard
"a sweet voice say, "ShaIl | intrude if
| step in and rest myself for Il few mo-
ments :"
/ Tillie looked up, and young lady,
beautifully dressed. stood before her.
She had IA sweet. winning face, and
the most taultieSs grace Of manner.
She was instantly charmed with her
strange yi-itor, aud quickly replied :
Not in the least. Walk right in. >
] The Young lady took the chair of
tered, which was cushioned rocker,
and sank into its easy depths in utter
wearneSs.
/ Il was iourneying with my friends, :
she explained. land somehow have
straycd away from them, and we've
become separated"
81 daresay they will find you," said
! IilIie, hopeful. ''and in the meantime
you can rest here as long as YOU
choose.
"Thank You; this is such a clean
coy little home, it will be real
treat to stay here a while, replied the
young lady.
! The two girls were soon chatting as
famliarly as though they had always
known each other. rs it grew to-
ward night. and the strange lady's
friends did not appear. TiIie won
dered why she appeared SO perfectly
easy about her situation.
Not long after ten, the lady said,
IF YOU will allow me to spend the
night here, | will make some arrange
ments whereby | can meet my friends
farther on"
Il should be very glad to hay. YOU
stay, replied Tillie. las my father
and mother have gone upon a jour
ney. and II will be pleasant to have
company"
1 BY and by Uuc,e John came in, and
was Introduced to Titles visitor, who
made herself very agreeable TO him, as
she chatted about crops and other
matters that she thcught would inter
est him.
I She retired quite early, and TIllie
gave her the spare bedroom, which led
out Of the parlor.
/, "N here did the young lady come
from = asked Cucle John. as TilIie
returned to the kitchen.
4 Sac explained the story Of her hav-
ng become separated from her friends
aud Of seeking rest there.
at Is rather straage statement,
should think, replied Uncle John.
DO yos tniaA tee Is ANYTHING
wrong about hcF, Unele Jonn :" asked
/ TIllic anxiously.
= Il eanWe. SAY there is, he replied /;
"but there Is a strange glitter in her
eve once IN while. which don't
like. think she'll bear watching"
I There were two bedrooms leading
from the kitchen. TIIIie occupied
one. and Uncle John retired to here
( Mr. and Mrs. Clifford usually slept.
/ About midnight Tillie 4 'oke with
ia start. aud thought she hearu strange
sounds in the kitchen. She crept opt
of bed sud looked through the crack
of the door. which was aIar There
she saw sight which froze her blood
with horror. Her young lady guest
was standing hy the table, clad in her
night dress. and wildly bandishing
her carving kulte. whose edge every
now and then. she would apparently
Itry upon her finger.
"lia, she'll make nice victim,
won't She :" she muitered; her neck
/ IS so thin ana white. The tiends tell
me ! II have fuunt of blood 10 o.night.
/ LA, ha.'
TiIlie tried To scream, but she could
not make a sound To her intense re
lief her Cucle John. who, as he after
wards expressed it, "hal not undressed
at all. but had slept with one eve
open" rushed ont of his bedroom and
wrenehed the knife from the frantic
woman. seized her by the arm and
marched her back to her room.
BY the time she reached there the
fierce glitter had gone from her eyes,
and she seemed dccile as child
Shutting her into her room and bar
ricading the door Uncle John re-
turned again To the kitchen.
In the meantime TilIie had dressed
and stood there with Il white face
awaiting him.
40 Uncle john" she cried in a
hoarse whisper, Il do believe she
meant to Kill me what does it mean:"
ut means, child, that the woman is
crazy, and has probably escaped from
some lunatjc asylum"
80 dear. I'm afraid to stay here
another minute, Uncle John, and as
for sleeping, | am sure | shall not
close my eyes again tonight.
''llcr madness comes on her by
spells, | think, and we will not be
troubled 10y her any more to-nigl t.
Iou can 90 to bed and | will keep
watch the rest Of the night, said un-
Gle John.
Assured thus of safety, Tillie re-
tired to her room. but she was too ex-
cited to sleep soundly, and only caught
IL short nap now and then.
Next morning the young lady came
out daintily dressed. to breakfast, and
looked and appeared SO perfectly sane
that Tillie was almost fain to believe
that the incident of the night before
was only Il horrible dream. She re-
tired to her room as soon as the meal
was finished, aud while Uncle John
and Tillie were consulting what should
be done, they were startled to see u
handsome carriage, with Il span OF
horses drive up.
A pale anxious looking gentleman
5 came hastily up the walk, and knock
, ed upon ther door.
"Have you seen any hing young
lady dressed in black silk dress ant
t sack, and Il white hat trimmed with