The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-08-23
Thank YOU: this is such a coz

lady.
The two girls were soon chattin.
as familiarly as though they had al
WAYS known each other. AS it grew
toward night the strange lady.
friends did not appear. Tilly won
dered why she appeared SO perfectly
easy about her situation.
Not long after ten the young lady
said: If you will allow me to spenc
the night here, | will make some ar
engagements whereby | can meet nay
friends further on.
Il should be very glad to have you
STAY" replied Tilly, as my father
and mother have gone upon jour.
nev, and it viii he pleasant to have
company" i"
By and by Uncle John came in,
and was introduced TO Tilly's visi-
tor. who made herself very agreea-
bic to him, as she talked about crops
and other matters that she thought
would interest him.
She retired quite early, and Tilly
gave her the spare bedroom, which
led out of the parlor.
"Where did that young woman
come from?" asked Uncle John, as
Tillv returned to the kitchep.
She explained the story Of havhas
become separated from her friends,
and OF seeking rest here.
1T is rather strange statement, |
should think" replied Uncle John.
DO YOU think there is anything
wrong about her, Uncle John?" ask
ed Tilly. anxiously.
4 cannot say there Is" he repli-
ed, but there's strange glitter in
her eve once in while which /
don't ike. think she'll bear watch
ing"
There were two bed rooms leading
from the kitchen. Tilly occupied
one and Uncle John the other
/ where Mr.. and Mrs. Clifford usually
slept.
About midnight Tillv awoke with
start and thought she heard strange
sounds in the kitchen. She crept
out of bed and looked through the
crack of the door, which was ajar
There she saw sight which froze
her blood with horror. Her young
lady guest was standing by the table
clad in her night dress, and wildly
hrandishing a large carving knife.
whose edge, every now and then.
she would apparently try upon her
finger
"Hal she'll make nice victim,
Won t she?n she muttered; her neck
is so thin and white The fiends tell
me I'll have 4 fount Of blood to-
night. Ha, ha"
Tilly tried to scream, but she
couldn't make sound. To her in
tense relief, Uncle John. VINO, as he
aiterward expressed it, had not un-
dressed at all, but had slept with
one eve open, rushed out Of the bed
room and wrenched 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 as docile as n child.
Shutting her in the room and barri-
cading the door, Uncle John return
ed again to the kitchen.
Ia the meantime, Tillv had dress
ed and stood there, with a white face,
awaiting him.
30. Uncle Johnl" she cried. in a
hoarse whisper. Il do believe she
meant to Kill me; what does it
mean?"
1T means. child. that the woman
is crazy. and has probably escaped
from some lunatic asylum"
20, dear, I'm afraid to stay here
minute, Uncle John. and, as
for sleeping. I'm sure ] shall not
close my eyes to night
Her madness comes on by spells,
think, and we won't be troubled |
by her any more tonight. You go
70 bed, and III keep watch the rest
of the night said Uncle John.
Assured thus Of safety, Tilly re-
tired to her room, but she was too !
excited to sleep soundly. and only |
caught short nap now and then.
Next morning The young lady |
came out. daintily dressed, to break
fast. and looked and appeared so per-
ftctly sane that Tilly was almost |
fain to believe that the incident of
the night before was only horrible
dream. She retired TO her room as
soon as the meal was finished, and
while Uncle John and Tilly were
as to what should be done.
thew were startled TO see handsome
carriage, with aspan OF horses, drive
up.
A pale, anxious looking gentleman
came hastily up the walk. and knock
ed upon the door. /
Have you seen anything or a
young lady, dressed in black silk
dress and sack. and white hat
trimmed with lace and featbers?" he
asked. hurriedly.
'sYes. sir; she is: here now" said
lilly. wont YOU come in and see
herr"
Thank God,'' he exclaimed, fer
vently. Then. turning to the lady
in the carriage, he cried out:
Dismiss your fears, my dear. Al
ice is here
"The lady soon after entered, and
rilly immediately conducted her to
ber daughters room.
Upon her return to the kitchen,
rilly told the circumstance Of the
young lady 5 arrival, and Uncle John
related her midnight visit to the
kitchen, and the muttered threats
hey had heard her make while hold
ng the knife.
"My unhappy child" said the
poor father, in a broken voice, while
he tears rolled down his cheeks
She has been berelt OF reason for the
past three wears, and was the inmate
IF an asylum until recently. Her
keepers thought she was so much
better they allowed her to come out
md try change. While we were
.iding slowly along yesterday, she