The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-03-15
am going straight to the Cafe Cha


short as the Rue de Pierrefonds.'
"'That is what we did. Scarcely had
we advanced fifteen steps in the cursed
avenues, black as coal. thanks to the
fog, which was thicker than ever, when
| lost sight and sound of my friend Du-
laurier. don't know whether he turn
ed to the right and l to the left, or the
reverse, but it is certain that we were
separated as if by the wall of China. I
called him. No reply. Without think
ing any more about him, and knowing
that / would find him again at the Cafe
Chapins, l continued my dangerous
walk All at once hit my foot against
something strange, which had no appar-
ent form, and l stopped down to look at
it closer. Was it a dog, stone, or a
human being? 1t moved. l examined
it, opening my eyes wide. twas wo-
man. She was seated at the foot of a
tree, covering like beggar, seeming
not to feel the cold, nor to fear the soli-
tude, nor to notice my presence and
scrutiny.
What are you doing there, mad
ame?' L said. Are you i1l?'
NO she replied in faint voice
'''This is not the weather for sleeping
in the open air.
".Here or anywhere else, what does
it matter?'
''At night, woman all alone is eX-
posed to disagreeable adventures
continued, moved, don't know why,
by this eccentricity, and at such a time
"'Any time is good for me- she said.
Nevertheless, if you will permit
me, madame l replied with a certain
warmth, ''to accompany you home, Twill
offer you my arm
Willingly she said.
s'She rose Immediately | offered her
my arm, but she did not accept it, and
walked by my side. l admit that the
first part of the adventure already puz-
zled me somewhat, and instead of suf-
fering from the cold, which | feared for
her, | felt, not without astonishment,
several drops of perspiration forming on
my forehead. Impressed with the
strange encounter, my mind was con-
fused and unsettled. My ideas were
foggy as well as the air What was this
woman? Was she really woman? II
So, would l enjoy an agreeable surprise
when I should see her face? Would it
not probably be as sweet as her voice?
''At the end of five minutes she stop
ped could not tell anything about
what street we were in, but without
being uneasy for minute / approached
her.
"'This my house, she said. will il
please you to enter?'
although was far from expecting
such proposition, made in the calm
est tone, nevertheless | accepted with
alacrity, anxious to carry the affair to
the end, no matter what should happen,
and, moreover determined not to leave
her before having seen her face.
1.-The stranger advanced toward her
house. The shrill ringing of a bell re-
sounded within, and the doors flew open.
On each side of the door stood SER
want in mourning livery, holding torch
of lighted wax. Naughty as a queen,
she entered before me and beckoned me
to follow her. By the light of the torch
es | observed that she was completely
clothed in black, and that thick veil
covered her face.
You know me, my dear friend, and
you know that the devil himself could
not frighten me. Well, confess to you
with all due humility, that | felt slight
shudder run through me. But | took
courage and entered. The apartment
into which L was introduced was mag
nificently furnished. Rugs covered the
inlaid floor and prevented the sound OF
footsteps from being heard Casting my
eyes on the clock, l noticed that it was
about to strike twelve. AT sign from
their mistress the servants went out as
quiet as ghosts, after having lighted
several wax candles, as large as those
of churches, the flickering and dull
flame of which, however, sent forth only
a faint light around US.
Il was alone with her. That was
what l was waiting for, and really she
did not make me wait long. After mo-
tioning me to sit down beside her on the
sofa, she raised her veil. / was dazzled
at the sight of her face, and all my un-
easiness and fears seeming to me imag-
inery, before that brilliant apparition
scattered in an instant. An angel, a
demon, if you will but a superb woman.
I lost my senses. Now do you want me
to tell you what passed between usp !
know nothing about, it on my honor. |
only remember that in pressing her
hand in mine | felt the same sensation as
in touching marble and that her eyes. so
soft, were fixed and motionless and vet she
looked at me with an air of interest so
natural or of pity so profound that I,
taking it for love, fell at her feet.
cannot tell you how long / remained in
that position, but l was willing to stav
there all the rest of my life, for l felt
that l was dying Of happiness, and un-
known transports were waiting me be-
yond this world. All at once l heard
the clock strike twelve. This sharp
noise seemed funereal in the silence.
Il quickly rose, without knowing
why. Turning my eyes toward the fire.
less chimney, Isaw the mirrors becoming
covered with black cloth, the hangings
being darkened like the mirrors. and
the candles gradually going out. Dazed
by this phantasmagoria, | looked for nv
unknown companion. Gone! The SER
vants-gone! I sprang forward. The
street-door opened before me, and 1
rushed out of that diabolical den with
out being able to explain to myself
how entered it, not why l had just left
it.
Feeling that was perspiring pro-
fusely. wanted to wipe my forehead,
but could not find my handkerchief
The fresh air having restored me to nv
senses, and being anxious to investigate
this denoument, which was beyond nv
comprehension, drew my sword, and
cut deep notch in the mysterious house
which is situated on the Rue de Pierre
fonds, as Immediately made sure.
You can imagine how much / need
ed rest and quietness, after such an ad-
venture, and so | returned to my room.
The next day, when l related this sing
ular story to Dulaurier, he shrugged his
shoulders, and when l offered to show
him the house. he treated me as if 1 were
crazy. However, he ended in agreeing
to accompany me in my search. Moth
ing was easier than to find the house
again, as had marked it with an inef-
faceable sign. We were greatly aston
ished at seeing the window-shutters
fastened tight, the rusty hinges of the
door, and all the appearances of de-
serted house 7 raDp the hell No an