The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-11-22

life out of him, should have done suA
even bad such an act sealed my Own
fate.
When my explanation was over
another whispered consultation took
place. Then the spokesman demanded
the key which had so nearly cost me
my life. l suppose they tried it and
found 1t acted as | said. 1t was not
returned to me, but [ heard the voice
once more.
Fortunately for YOU we have de-
cided TO believe your tale. Stand up"
did so, and was led to another part of
the room and again placed in chair.
As, after the manner OF the blind, [
stretched out my hands, l found | was
in corner OF the room, my face turned
to the angle OF the walls.
"lf you move or look round" said
the voice. ''our belief in your blindness
will vanish"
1t was impossible to misunderstood
the grim threat conveyed by the last
words. l could only sit quiet and listen
with all my ears.
Yes, they had much to do. They
moved about busily and rapidly. L
heard cupboards and drawers opened.
| detected the sound of papers being
torn and the smell OF papers burning.
| heard them raise some dead weight
/ from the fioor-heard sound Us of
rent cloth and linen-heard the Jingle
of money, even the tick of watch az
| it was drawn forth from somewhere
and laid on the table near me. Then I
felt a breath of air and knew that the
| door had been opened. | heard heavy
footsteps on the stairs-the steps Of
men bearing q weighty burden, and l
shuddered as | thought what that bur-
! den must b..
Before the last task was completed
the woman's moan had ceased.
For some time it had been growing
fainter and only sound ng at recurring
intervals. Now l heard it no longer.
This cessation was great relief to my
overweight nerves, but my heart
grew sick rs | thought it may be there
were two victims instead of one.
Although at least two men must have
borne that weight away, l knew was
not left alone. l heard some one
throw himself into a chair with half
weary sigh, and guessed he had been
left to guard me. | was longing to
make my campaigning to wake and
find had been dreaming. The sus-
pense or the nightmare was growing
upbearable. l said, without turning
my head;
How long am l to be kept amid
these horrors?n
heard the man move in his chair,
but he made no answer. "May l not
go?n pleaded; II have seen nothing.
Put me out into the street-anywhere.
| shall go mad if stay here longer"
Still no answer. / said no more.
BY and by the absent men returned
to their companion. l heard the door
close after them. Then came more
whispers. and 1 heard the drawing of a
cork ard the jingle OF glasses. They
were refreshing themselves after the
nights dark work.
Presently a curious odor-that of
some drug was perceptible. A hand
was laid on my shoulder and a glass
full of some liquid was placed between
my fingers.
Drink" said the voicc-the only
voice l heard.
Il will not" 1 cried; sit may be
poison"
heard a short harsh laugh and felt
n cold metallic ring laid against my
forehead.
at is not poison; it is an opiatc and
will do you no harm. But this, and
as he spoke / felt the pressure of the
little iron circlet, this is another af-
fair Choosem
| drained the glass and was glad to
feel the pistol moved from my head.
Now" said the spokesman, taking the
empty glass from my hand, IF you are
a wise man, when you awake to-mor-
rev you will say: Il have been dunk or
dreaming 1ou have heard us but not
seen us, but remember we know YOU"
He left me, and in a short time, do
what | would to struggle against it.,
heavy droWsiness came over me.
Thoughts grew incoherent and reason
seemed leaving me. My head fell first
on one side, then on the other The
last thing | can remember is a strong
arm enoircling me and keeping me from
tumbling out of my chair. Whatever
the drug was, its action was strong and
swift
For hours and hours it held me sense.
less, and when ut last its power faded
ana my mind, struggling back to a
clouded sort of consciousness, made,
alter many aIIelhpISs Inc lact aPPalens
to me that was lying on bed, and,
moreover, as found by stretching out
my arms and feeling around my own
bed, is it to be wondered at that | said
to myself; II have dreamed the most
frightful dream that ever came to q
tormented mind" After this effort o.
mind sank back once more into semi
conscious state, but fully persuaded
had never quilted my bed. My relief q
this discovery was immense.
TO BE CONTINUED.
The black death of the fourteenth
century. believed by some to have beer