Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-09-27
MFFINToWN

l.
Nothing was easier than to lind the
house again, as | had marked it with an
meffaceable sign. We We're greatly as
tonlshed at seei g the window shutters
fastened tight, the rusty hinges of the
door, ard all the appearances of a de-
serted house. L raug the bell No
answer impatient at this failure. |
rang again so violently that a neighbor
opened his window aud said:
"'What do you want?'
The lady who lives in this house.
1 replieds
"'She died two years ago said the
neighbor, and since then the house has
been empty
impossible
If you have come to buy it, con-
tlnued the neighbor, apply at No. II.
There Is gentleman there who will
give you the information you want
II thanked the obliging neighbor,
who shut his window again, and went
Immediately to No. u, with the hope
that this person to whom / was di-
rected could help me to unravel the af-
falr, which seemed to become more
puzzling since l had determined Oh
solving it. My friend and l presented
ourselves at No. II, and AZ. Bourbon
was wonderfully polite TO us as soon as
told him l wanted to buy the property
he had for sale.
".1t's good bargain he said and
when you have looked at the house
81 know it, replied.
| gXa,, -
toward me the most astonished look in
the woild. Impossible , 1t is more than
SIX months since L myself have put INV
foot IN it, and as L have the keys of the
house in my desk-Ahi beg your par
don, he quickly added, you were there
before the owners death 2
81 was there yesterday evening"
replied, and L stayed there about two
hours in the company of a charming
young lady
NJ. Bourbon suddenly looked at my
friend, as if to ask whether was insane.
L understood his meaning, and without
being offended L continued, hoping to
make him change his mind about me,
and wishing to furnish him with the
most ample details of my visit.
81 know said 1, IN conclusion,
that You place little faith in my words,
since L cannot give an exact account of
the truth. But there is an unanswer-
able way OF verifying my assertions.
On leaving the house in question could
not find my handkerchief, and think L
remember having left it ON the sofa III
the saloon. Will you come with us and
prove it? If we find my handkerchief,
what will you say?
"'My dear Captain said NJ. Bour-
don, 4 shall say nothing, but 1 shall
sell you the house at your own price.
az would not have it at any price, |
said, in low tone to Dulaurier.
IN. Bourbon did not hesita tie to ac-
cept my proposition, and on reaching
the door tIirmphantly pointed ont to
me cobwebs IN the lock.
I" do you give ln?'
"'Not yet.
"'But this door has not been opened
in six months
81 tell You crossed this threshold
yesterday morning.
1--WE entered. Everything about
the mournful aspect of that house ex-
pressed deseriion, neglect, solitude.
The walls were moUldy, thick aust
covered the floor. the ceilings were
cracked, and cobwebs overran the stair
case. On entering the saloon, the first
object that struck my eye was my hand
kerchief lying on the SOFA,
He paused. After time he spoke
There's my story, my dear friend
what do you think of il p
"Are you not a somnambulist, Cap
tain p
II don't know. | never was aware OF
it."
"Were you-how shall L say 1t "a
little-when you left the barracks with
your friend Dulam ier?'
Hum | remember but very little
about 1t.
ut is necessary to eDlIghten me on
these two points before asking my
opinion of your adventure, otherwise L
can explain it IN this way-you went to
sleep lying on your back, and had a bad
dream"
CAPTAIN Deschamps was killed SIX
months afterward in the campaign III
Italy, without having answered the two
questions.