Daily south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1881-18??, 1884-10-03
Anna thought the scheme wonder

"but L hope you will look really fright
ened when you come to breakfast in
the morning"
After supper the whole party went to
the "blue chamber" which meantime
had been put in order to receive the
guest. Every corner was examined
with the utmost care.
The atmosphere was somewhat op-
pressive, thou II the windows were now
open. The room was seldom ventl-
ated, and the half moldy air took the
liberty of settling in the furniture and
curtains. 1t had evidently always
borne the rgme of the "blue cham
Ter" although the thick carpet was
now faded The furniture was very
scanty, but what articles remained
were old ashioned. While time had
transformed everything else in the an
cent manor, making the stif carved
chairs give way to comfortable arm
chairs, and the old chimney PIE e.es to
tile stoves, this room seemed to have
preser ed its former appearance. 1t
was delivered over to the spirits of the
past; no one had attempted to drag it
into the present. An article that did
not contribute least in enabling it to
retain its ancient character was the
huge, eX, uisitely carved four-post bed
stead, which occupied a large portion
of the room. The apartment was the
last in one wing of the manor, looking
out upon the grove, but so near the
ground that person, by the display
Of some little agility, might climb up.
at is not impossible sa d Hoist,
after thorough examination of the
chamber, 'that the nocturnal noises
mentioned may have been made by
vagabonds who settled themselves he o
for comfortable nights rest. Victor,
do me the favor to let my pistols; they
are In my travelling satchel; but dom t
meddle with the triggers, they are
loaded"
Victor went away with light, and
soon after brought the pistols to his
brother. The latter prlmed them
freshly, put on new caps and laid them
on the tab C.
"Now, good night, ladies and gen
tlemen, ! wish you all as comfortable a
rest as expect to have myself"
"Good night, wicked freethinker, "
said Anna half admiringly. 81 hope
you will have different opinions in the
morning.
As they went out Victor whispered
to Anna; II Il answer for it that he
shall be thoroughly frightened"
The door was locked and andidate
Hoist remained alon in the blue cham.
ber The sound OF footsteps and voices
died away; he listened at the door but
all was still
Going to the window he stood there
a few minutes looking at the grove.
The soft night breeze stirred the leaves
and branches. Only the nearest trees
could be dimly distinguished. Beyond
all was dense, impenetrable darkness,
for there was neither moon nor stars in
the sky.
Its really very rare to be free from
Madam Luna" said he, "she is so fond
of intrudiug and playing the spy on
sensible folk, spite OF drawn curtains.
For the rest, this is an uncommonly
comfortable room. Probably not one
of the whole party will have so good q
bed to lie in rs my lu ky self.
80 man wa' murdered here, and
for the sake Of this legend the room has
now stood empty hundreds OF years. II
one could see few blood stains OF
similar horrors but there's no trace OF
anything of the sort. What matchless
power superstition has, even in our en-
lighteued days. ! shall consider it O
good deed TO drive it from this COM
Portable stronghold" "
Lighting a cigar, he paced to and fro
smoking, then walked around the bed
and closed his eyes with u half shudder,
"How timidly the young girl, Anna
is pressing her pretty face against the
pillow at the thou hit that any human
being dares to sleep in the blue cham.
Der. She won't even venture to put
out her night lamp for fear of seeing
the frightlul viii g shape that must
speedily come up here and destroy
me"
While thus solloqui ing he un
dressed, opened the canopied bed, anC
resolutely ,tinguished the lamp.
There was no sound in the room
only it seemed as though he could heal
a rustling noise like crIckets and mys
terious ticking, as Ihou IN the famous
deathwatch was under the carpet HI
lay listening moment, heard the nigh
wind sigh through the trees and thu
great clock of the manor strike eleven
then he ell asleep.
At the end o, an hour he suddenl,
started upin bed, having heard sounC
like the opening OF door. A strange
shuGdering sensation ran through hi
limbs as be stared ii edly into tn,
room and beheld white form movin!
slowly towards the bed.
Terror overpowered him, but tn,
next instant he rega ned his GOODNESS
and shouted in a firm voice, Who,
thereph
No answer, but the shape remainec
stand'ng in the middle OF the floor.
WHO'S ere Answer, or as sur,
as / live I'll fire" h. called a ain
cockin : his pistol.
He was once more the quiet, cold
blooded physician; he had surely earc
the creaking of door; it must be
man.. a rascal, murderer perhaps, bu
no spectre.
Yet, spite of the pistols warnin;
snap, the figure did not mpve
"Who goes therep" he called again
Still no sound disturbed silenc
OF the room.
The physician stretched out his arm
and fired.
4 flash Of light illumined the dusk,