The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-06-20

w ttlS AVI W plVSSSu hOl bhSA WAN AAAA'
In such cases, l fancy, it never does oc-
our to any one to attempt to break the
spell upon him--the "spell operates to
the contrary, l SUPP ose.
Well, on we went through the mist
and darkness-apaqueness, let me say,
for, though 'lost to sight," there was a
moon above us, according to the alman-
&C, and it was not dark, dull gray,
ghostly sort Of light pervading--untll
''the lake was reached, when my COM
panion incontlnently seated himself,
pulling me down beside---a physical eff
fort on his part, and not one of attrac-
ton, magnetic or otherwise.
No sooner were we seated than he
spoke of the gray mist, as if for the first
time noticing it, and went on to remark
upon mists in general, If not this one in
particular.
He discussed mists for two minutes,
perhaps, when he dropped the subject
as one-well, too moist, perhaps, or
maybe too 'dry." At all events, he
dismissed the mist without ceremony,
and, for the first time since we set out
on our walk, spoke not for the space of
forty seconds.
Suddenly he broke the silence with a
remark that came from his lips as sud-
denly as the fash and report of gun,
and, if not so sounding as the report,
quite as startling to me.
'Patsey" ( never shall forget how
Hshort, sharp and decisive" was the
pronunciation of my christian name
fare you fond of sensationsP 1 tell you
We'll create one in the morning, you
betl When they find us both laid out
here, dead az herrings, in the morning,
rather think there will be something
of sensation--eh?"
He paused then, and 1t dawned upon
me that my companion was lunatic.
And when, the next moment, saw in
his right hand a good=sized revolver
none of your little vest-pooket affairs
the broad sunlight of conviction, SO to
speak, forced itself upon me that my
position was tioltlish, if not perilous
one.
A cold sweat started out all over me
--the condition which copduced to that
sweat saved my life, perhaps; for the
opposite, which would have prompted
me to spring to my feet and fly, would
very likely have precipitated matters to
serious if not fatal conclusion. My
hair stood up, am certain, and my
tongue cleaved to the roof of my mouth
as if glued there, while my heart beat a
tattoo on my ribs.
suppose you think was frightened.
Well, you have been mistaken before
now, without doubt; and you might be
now-but you are not. was frightened
aud don't you forget it!
Out there in the dark at midnight, in
a cold, gray, ghostly mist that looked
like the shroud of all things earthly
seated beside powerful fellow who
coolly suggested a sensation" Of q
startling and tragieal nature, strengthen
ing his suggestion by the production
of Misunderstanding revolver!-yes
! was frightened, and don't care whc
knows it!
II shall shoot you first, Patseyr' wa!
the next remark of my friend (9), ant
how crisp and firm the utterance
"Then l shall shoot myself The sensa
ton In the morning will be tremendous,
my boyp
His right hand moved-my eyes were
glued upon it--.and something ] had tc
do, or something he would do, most Ger
tainly, and cause sensation in the
morning." Retrieving my tongue
minus the skin, am certaiR) from thf
roof of my mouth, managed to moist
On it sufficiently to speak in husky
voice:
Gully, don't shoot, as that win bring
the park police upon us, who will carry
us to the station house, and spoil the
morning sensation. See itY"
Sound as a NUT" said my friend i'm
mediately, and, putting away his re-
volver, brought out large knife, which
he opened, showing wioked-looking
blade six inches in length.
The thought that I was about to be
hacked to pieces caused sipkening chill
to run through me, would have pre-
ferred being shot.
"This will do better, Patsey. It is
silent and sure. ! will stab you to the
heart, or cut your throat, just as you
prefer" he said, in tone that was
blood-freezing from its diabolical earn
estness and ealmness.
THAT is better than the pistol, ms
FRIEND" said l, but hate blood, ]
propose something better than either
Jet us both drop ourselves in the lake
here, There'n be a sensation, sure,
when they fish Us ont, What do yoI
sayP"
/ got to my feet without being hind
cred, my sensational friend rising also.
"a good idea, Patsey." said he, al
once. ''It is better than the knife ol
pistol. Can you swim?"
''Not o stroke" said l.
1t was lie; but, under the circum'
stances. excnsahle. think.
"HRl haL-good! Nor ]. Patsey--
never could get the first stroke. Wei
walk In hand in hand--give me you
hand, Patsey"
"rn do it," said /. qniekly--"that
Just suits me exactly, But, now thu
thing is settled, let's 60 and have one
good square drink. cully--a parting
drink TO all the world and the rest o.
mankind--and then we'll come bacl
and walk in here, and sink out of sigh