The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-01-11

old tapestry hanging to her skeleton
fingers. She's dressed in gray silk,
that doesn rustic never bit. though
It's so thick it might stand all alone,
they do say. lis awful lonesome for
you. madam, to sleep here alone. and
III stay with YOU with pleasure if il
comes TO that, though my nerves arn't
none of the strongest
| | thanked Warden. however, and as
sured her that was not in the least
| afraid; and she, with 4 well-relieved
face, left me alone. L heard her foot
steps echoing down the corridor--they
! died away. | was now out of reach of
! all human help. for in this distant
room, in this wing, no possible sounds
could reach any other inhabitants OF
| Aspen's Vale.
i think | have implied that l was
brave. In my girlhood, in my short
married lie, even in the sad depression
of nv early w!dowhoOd. | had never
known physical fear; nevertheless, when
the last of Warden footsteps echoed
out and died. and sthat profound still
ness followed which can be oppressive,
had a curious sensation.
| did not call it fear, ! did not know
it for that grim and pale-faced tyrant;
but it made NE uncom .ortable and
caused my heart 10 beat irregularly.
The sensation was .hiS-l 1clt that |
WAS not alone.
Of course it was fancy, and what had
| to do with fancy!
determined to Danish this uncom-
Portable feeling from my mind, and
stirring the fire TO a cheerful blaze, |
drew one of the black oak chairs near
it and sat down.
Warden had looked so pale and fright
cncd before she left me that out of con-
Sideration for her feelings. | had al
lowed her 10 leave the Jewels which !
had worn that evening on the dressing
table.
There they lay. set of very valuable
bri!liamtS. There was an old f;t> aioncd
mirror over the mamtel-piece. and rs
sat by the fire | saw the reflects on of
my diamonds in the glass. AS | no.
ticed their sparkle. again that strange
sensation returned: this time more
strongly, this time with Il cod SILVER.
| WAS not alone.
Who was in the tapestry chamber?
Was it the gho>t? Was that story true.
after all? Oi course | did not believe
it. | lau -hcd aloud as the idea came
to me. Ifclt that was getting quite
silly and nervous. There was nothing
for me but TO get into bed is quickly Is
possible.
was about to rise from nv easy
chair and 70 over to the old fashioned
four-po>ter, when again M attention
WAS attracted to the glass over my head.
1t was hung in such way as 10 reveal
a large portion of the room. and now |
saw. not the diamonds, but-something
else.
In the folds of the dim and old-world
tapestry | saw something move and
glitter. l looked again; thee was no
installing tit was an Eye, a human
eye. looking tiN'Iiv at me through 4
hole in the canvas. Now | knew why
L felt that | was not alone.
There was some one hidden between
the tapestry hang ngs and the wall Of
the chamber. SOM One-nUt ghost.
That eve was human. or | had never
looked on human eve before. | was
alone with 4 thief. perhaps with worse,
and gems of immense value Law within
his reach. was absolutely alone. not
4 Soul could hear the most a~onizcd cry
for help in this distant room.
Now | knew--,f had ever doubted it
bcfore-that | was 4 very brave woman.
The immincnce of the peril Steadied
the nerves which a few minutes before
were beginning strangely To CULVER |
neither started nor exclaimed. | felt
that | had in no way betrayed my
knowledge to my terrible guest. sat
perfectly still. thinking out the situa-
ton and my chan 'eS OF escape.
Nothing but consummate GOODNESS
could win the victory. re>olvei to be
very cool. With fervent and pas SION
ate cry to One above for >uccor, | rose
from nv chair. and going to the dress
ing-tahlc, | slipped several costly rings
off M fingers. | lett them scattered
care.e>sly about. | ienuded myself OF
all but my wedding ring.
Tmen | put the cXtinguiShcrs on the
cand eS they were wax AMI stood in
MASSIVE silver candlestirks. The room.
however, was still brilliant with the
light OF the fire on the hearth
rot into bed. laid my head on the
pillow. and closed my ewes.
II may have been ten nutes-it
seemed more like an hour I" nv ,aincd
sense before | heard the fatnta>t
movement. Then | discovered a little
rustic behind the tapestry, and man
got out. When he did so | opened nv
eyes wide: at that instant he could not
possibly see whether they We're open or
shut. He was powerful man of great
height and breadth. Ii had back
beard and a quantity of thick black
hair. | noticed his features, which
were tolerably regular.
also noticed another popularity:
among his raven locks was one perfect
ly white. One rather thick white lock
was flung back off his forehead SO
white WIS it that the freight instantly
re ealed it to me.
The man did not glance toward the
bed; he went stra ght, with no particu-
larly qu et step, TO the dressngtable. |
closed my eyes now. but | heard him
taking up my trinkets and dropping
them again. Then he approache the
bed de. felt him come close: felt
his breath As he bent over me. | was
lying on my side: my eyes were shut;
WAS breath nc gently.
He Went away again: he returned to
the dressing table. heard him rather
noiSily strike i match: then with
lighted candle in his hand he once
more approa he'd the bed. + is time
ne bent very low inI"ri. and lri, the
Ieat %, the lame Is n" passed it 80 tly
DelOr" my closed eyes. lay still.
however: not a movement, not Il hur-
RED breath, BETRAYED me.
| heard him rive short, satisfied
'igh. Again, candle in hand. he re