The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-08-16

IT will wait till morning." replied the
man.
"She is sure to dance to the very last,
you know" added the woman.
"Don't lose your head, that's all" ad-
monished the man.
II lose my head, indeed" retorted the
woman, whose voice and bearing we're
youthful.
The professor moved slowly away
scarcely needing these words waited to
his ear by a passing breeze. At an angle
of the path was rustic bench beneath q
larch-tree, known as Professor Horizons
favorite seat. Hither he directed his
steps in an irriated mood, and sank down
on it in sheer weariness. Tho scent OF
flowers reached him. while the foliage
seemed to spread above him fragrant
robes of darkness" Grateful repose
succeeded noise and light, lulling all his
senses to soft oblivion; he fell asleep.
He was awakened by terrific peal
of thunder. and opened his eyes with
bewildered uncertainty As to sur
rounding objects. The trees swayed
wildly in the rising wind; few large
drops of rain fell heavily among the
leaves; lightning quiverei On the hori-
zon. Suddenly female form bent over
him, some small object was thrust into
his hand, and u voice whispered in his
err:
II am early. She had headache
Quick take them or l shall be
missed"
The thunder rolled. the trees swayed,
the woman vanished. Professor Horton
nj anorod htc
mouth to speak, then closed his lips
without sound. The object thus unex-
pectedly consigned to his care was
small leather bag scarcely more than
tobacco pouch, and heavy. Mechanically
he thrust it into one of the wide pockets
of his loose coat. Hark! A heavy foot
step crushed the gravel on the path to
the right. The professor rose to his
own feet as if moved by spring, his
knees shook, his teeth Chartered, a
deadly fear smote him.
Fear of what evil? He did not know.
To shrink to the left, gain the next
clump OF shrubbery, and conceal him
self, was the work of moment, and
accomplished with the more ease that
he knew every inch of ground from
long familiarity. Had he not planted
IN any of these trees which now proved
friends? The hiding place gained was
larch surrounded by stiff little Japanese
cedsrs, and forming sort of laby-
rinth. Scarcely had the professor
glided into his shelter than vivid
sheet of lightning illuminated the whole
country side. He saw himself seated
on the rustic bench beneath the larch.
tree! He could not believe the evil
dence of his own senses; the breath re-
NAMED suspended on his lips. Had he
been devout Catholic he would have
crossed himself, invoking the protection
of calendar of saints; chill Of super.
stitious dread certainly stagnated his
blood. Was he to believe that his hour
had come! There Sat his own image on
the rustic bench, the soft felt hat
pulled down over the brow, the broad
shoulders, the slouching manuscript at
tire; nothing was lacking to complete
the resemblance. Was he still asleep,
victim of nightmare, or had he gone
mad? He pinched his flesh and rubbed
his eyes violently. The figure under
the larch.tree did not vanish. Swift
| realization of the truth dawned on the
drowsy scholar. He was alone, at dis.
tance from the now silent hotel. aud he
had in his pocket o bag which belonged
to the other. What il this unknown
bad found him still on the bench?
What il he emerged now. accosted the
stranger, and gave him the bag?
II should be murdered as surely as
There is q heaven above us" shuddered
the man of letters, with a conviction
for which he could give no reason.
At this juncture the wind freshcned
and the rain fell in torrents, while the
lightning became less frequent. Pro-
lessor Horton Quilted the larch tree,
reached the hotel with surprising agility,
found window Of the recent ball room
uufastened, CROPPED his way through that
deserted apartment and gained his own
chamber The bag was gone. He had
lost it from the wide pocket, probably
in his fight. His watch marked 2
o'clock. The professor extinguished the
candle, opened the shutters Of the win
dow and seated himself with his eyes
| fixed on the eastern horizon. He was q
| prey to the most exciting emotions.
The room was stifingly hot, but he
lighted his lamp and forced himself to
read On extract from DR.. Dollinger,
while moths Numbered about the fame,
frying themselves to Q condition OF uu-
pleasant crispness and mosquitoes stung
, his temples. His watch marked mid
night, and still the movement of the
ball room and the twang Of musical in
struments reached his ear, precluding
the possibilities Of sleep.
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