The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-12-19

NSA oppA v q D1O lAouSA In 6O
thick it might stand all alone, they do
say. IT'S awful lonesome for you,
madam, to sleep here alone, and I'll
stay here with you if it to that,
though my nerves aren't none of the
strongest"
1 thanked Warden, however, and u.s.
sured her that 1 was not in the least
afr,id; and she, with a well-relieved
face, left me alone. heard her foot
steps echoing down the corridor-they
died away. [ was out of reach of
all human help, for in this distant room,
in this distant wing, no possible sounds
could reach any ather inhabitants of
Aspen's Vale.
think I have implied that I was
brave. In my girlhood, in my short
married life, even in the sad depression
of my early widowhood, I had never
known physical fear nevertheless, when
the last of Warden's footsteps echoed
out and died, and that profound still
ness followed which can be oppressive,
l had o curious sensation.
l did not call it fear, / did not know
it for that grim and pale-faced tyrant
but it made me uncomfortable, and
caused my heart to beat ~irregularly.
The sensation was this-I felt that
[ was not alone.
OF course it vas fancy; and what had
[ to do with fancy?
l Determined to Danish this uncom-
Portable feeling from mymind, and stir
ring the fire to a cheerful blaze, L drew
one of the black oak chairs near it and
sat down.
Warden hadlooked so pale and fright
ened before she left me, that out of
consideration to her feelings I had al
lowed her to leave the jewels which I
had worn that evening on the dressing
table.
There they lay, q set OF very valuable
brilliants. There was an | d-fashioned
mirror over the mantel-piece, and as ]
sat by the fire 1 saw the REFLECTION of my
diamonds in the glass. AS l noticed
their sparkle, again that strange SEN
sation returned, this time more strong
ly, this time with a cold SILVER. I was
not alone.
Who was in the TAPESTRY chamber?
Was it the ghost? Was that story true,
after all? OF course L did not believe
it. laughed aloud as the idea came to
me. felt thatI was getting quite silly
and nervous There was nothing for
me but to get into bed as quickly as
possible:
I was about to rise from my easy
chair and go over to the old-fashioned
four-poster, when again my attention
was attracted to the glass over my head.
1t was hung in such a way as to reveal
a large portion of the room, and I now
saw, not the diamonds, but-somethine
else.
In the folds of the dim and old-world
tapestry 1 saw something move and
glitter. 1 looked again; there vas no
installing lit was an eye, a human
eye, looking fxedly at me through a
hole in the canvas. Now I know why
l felt that 1 was not alone.
There was some one hidden between
the tapestry hangings and the wall OF
the chamber. Some one-not q ghost,
That eye was human, or I had never
looked upon human eye before. WAS
alone with a thief, perhaps with worse,
and gems of immense value lay within
his reach. I was absolutely alone, not
a soul could hear the most agonized cry
for help in this distant room.
Now l knew-if | had ever doubtedit
before-that 1 was a very brave woman.
The imminence of the peril steadied
the nerves which a few minutes before
were beginning strangely to culver. I
never started nor exclaimed. I felt
that I had in no way betrayed my
knowledge to my terrible guest. L sat
perfectly still, thinking out the situa-
ton and my chances OF escape.
Nothing but consummate GOODNESS
could win the victory. I resolved to
be very cool. With o %fervent and pas
sionate cry to One above for succor, I
rose from my char, and, going to the
dressing table, I slipped several costly
rings off my fingers. I left them scat
tered carelessly about. denuded N.Y.
self of all but my wedding-ring.
Then l put the extinguishers on the
candles; they were wax, and stood in
massive silver candlesticks.
The room, however, was still brilliant
with the light of the fire on the hearth.
Igot into my bed, laid my head on
the pillow, and closed my eyes.
It may have been ten minutes-it
seemed more like an hour to my strain
ed senses-before I heard the faintest
movement. Then I discovered q little
rustic behind the tapestry and a man
got out. When he did SO I opened my
eyes wide; at that distance he could not
possibly see whether they were open or
shut. He was a powerful man, of great
height and breadth. He had a black
beard and o quantity of thick black
hair. I noticed his features, which
ere tolerably regular.
I also noticed another popularity
among his raven locks was one perfectly
white. One rather thick white lock
was flung back off his forehead-so
white was it that the fire instantly re-
vealed it to me.
The man did not glance toward the
bed, he went straight, with no particu-
larry quiet step, to the dressing table.
I closed my eyes now, but I heard him
taking up my trinkets and dropping
them again. Then he approached the
bedside. l felt him come close; I felt
mis- breath as he bent over me. l was
lying on my side; my eyes were shut
1 was breathing gently.
He went away again; he returned tc
the dressing table. I heard him rather
noisily strik a match. Then, with 8
lighted candle in his hand, he once
more approached the bed. This time
he bent very low indeed, and 1 felt the
heat of the flame as he passed it softly
before my closed eyes. I lay still,
however; not a movement, not q hur.
ried breath betrayed me.
I heard him give q short satisfied
sigh. Again, candle in hand: he re.
turned to the dressing-table. Once
more I heard the blinking sound of my
trinkets as they fell through his fingers,
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