The Washington critic., 1885-08-10
NOT A GHOST.

had just returned from Toronto
whittier | had gone to estimate the cost
OF public work--with an amusing
party of friends. The train was de.
layed few hours near Vaudruil. When
left the tumble-down Bonaventure
station the night was very late, the
weather wet and windy; the streets,
long series OF little puddles, lickering
under the gas. Hurrylng along,
crossed street corners diagonally, kick
ing mp about the curb.stones heavy
masses of new-fallen leaves.
At the street door stood for few
moments, fumbling with my latch-kcy.
Were | impressionable | might have
thought, so strangely did the wind act,
that unseen fingers clutched my gar
mcnts, and that forms scarcely palpable
interposed between me and the dark
hall within
With some aid from match felt my
way up two pairs of tairs and stood
within my room. Lighting the gas |
looked around Though nothing was
unfamiliar or changed singular air of
desertion pervaded the place. shiv-
cred slightly, being strangely chilled,
and for moment thought OF abandon
ing the intention to take bath before
bed. But to turn in with that grimy
feeling which comes from long rail-
way journey was out Of the question.
Nor was sleepy. On the contrary, my
senses seemed preternaturally acute and
my head delightfully."- clear and capable.
Go to bed? No. There was some in
tricate calculations OF strains required
next day, aud to which | determined
to devote myself after bathing. lJ was
not that did not wish to 90 to bed,
but that knew could not sleep, and
that dreaded the horrors Of insomnia
from which had once suffered.
Down to the bathroom | went, and,
turning on the water, regained my
room. Certainly there was not the
least unusual sound either in descending
or ascending the stairs. Is it possible
to believe that my nervous condition
can have changed greatly, changed
without cause, during the short time
after going back to my room, while |
was undressing?
AS all in the house had long been in
bed there was no danger of meeting
any one on the stairs in my semi nude
condition, so l threw off my coat, waist.
coat, and white shirt, put off my boots
and thrust my feet into slippers. Then
| wound my watch, laid it under my
pillow, brushed my teeth, and read a
page or two of Lord Raleigh's address
before the British association. These
particulars are mentioned that all may
understand how perfectly remember
every occurrence Of night on which
was entirely calm and observant.
With tOwles, matches, flesh. brush and
sponge on arm or in hand | attempted
to open my door. For moment it re-
fused to open, being held in some un-
expected fashion; then It came to my
hand with a rush. The gas-light vic.
ently bent and swayed with quick
draft OF air to and through the open
windows. Yet some force acting in a
contrary direction sharply closed the
door behind me.
Cropping TO the head of the stairway,
/ paused in the absolute darkness
From the water falling in the bath
room there was n faint, monotonous
roar. Suddenly child's voice broke
on the gloom in a wild but not loud
tone of appeal: you won't be dead
or go away, mothel?'
The voice knew well; it was that OF
my landlady's second daughter, a little
girl of 6 or z, who slept on my fiat.
SO clear a treble breaking so suddenly
with an exclamation so quaint on the
deep stiffness OF the night was weird
, and startling. What has disturbed the
, child's sleep9 What had mysteriously
touched hei?
AS yet no delinable thing seeming to
indicate supernatural presence had oc'
CURED. But now, having taken three
; steps downward, | stopped-my blood
; running heavily and cold, tremor and
thrill of skin over my whole body!
What seemed a footstep had fallen be-
hind me, close behind me! An unusual
football! Not the least shutting sound
; not creak Of leather, not IN impact as
thing having weight, no suggestion ot
a human sound! 1t dropped lightly
; and stopped. With intense strained
hearing listened for some further in
dcatiOn OF movement. Nothingl Save
for the pour and gurgIe and roll oi
water into the bath the stiffness was in
tense
reasoned that the sound had been O
! delusion. The stair. stretches had giver
with my weight! But dared not turn
my head. There was that sensation Oi
mortal cold behind the ears.
Hastily | took two more steps, ant
now stood clutching the railing in eX
treme terror, shaking and trembling
with the increasing mystery. Distinctly
had the thing fallen lightly behind IN,
again--So close! 1t was rs though sOmC
very light person, some almost impon
derable body, had jumped after me viii
one foot a little in advance of the other
In this presumed action there was 4
suggestion Of tricklness such az oftel
goes with malignity.
Now again began the conflict Of rea
son against the horror that beset me
to account for the sound was impossi
, bic except on the assumption of
spiritual presence; to persuade mysel
that the sound was no soand but
5 mere imagining bred of darkness
p could NOT, Turn back2 For what
It would be no less with me Ant
should yield to thought might b,
unable to avoid the fear.
Again went down -one--two--thre,
, -fOur-it had followed Steppn!
gently in time with me, stopping rs
stopped, resting always on The step
had left Mortal nerves were not mad,
+ to endure a thing so strange, Was tina
! breath on my cheek?
With tha tansion rny ,,ouyor ~ eio,h