The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-02-21

cold enough or gray enough for that, and
as I drowsily considered what it could be,
the thin streak penetrated between the
curtains and travelled over the bed toward
the foot. Could it be Pinfold, and was
she walking in her sleep? The possibility
of this stopped the words that were upon
nv lips. [ had heard that it was danger
GUS to wake somnambulists with shock;
so instead of calling, | cautiously withdrew
the curtain on one side and peeped out.
s'Neryes or no nerves, | can assure you
all that the sight beheld absolutely froze
my blood. I don't think have said that
the bed was in recess, and that the chairs
and tables formed cozy little oases in vari-
GUS parts of the large room.
"In a space between my bed and the
door of Pinfold's room stood what it is
scion les regzes Of all properly constituted
ghost stories to call "A Figure And in
truth it would be impossible to describe
what | saw with absolute exactness. There
was an indistinctness about its shadowy
outlines that prevented me from gaining a
clear idea of its shape. Something | saw,
while the cold dew gathered thick upon
my brow-something the faint outlines of
/ which were rendered visible by the light Of
shaded lamp, which brought into view
the white flowing draperies below, while it
left the upper part of the figure in deepest
shadow. Lying there, with all my boasted
courage ebbing away from every pore of
my body, but two ideas were present with
me-if only 1 could in any way summon
Pinfold unperceived by my unwelcome Wis
liant; and oh, if it should move 1t did
move. NH 81
"At that minute did not imagine that
terror could have any lower depth, but /
was soon undeceived, when the figure, af-
ter moments pause, began to glide, thank
God, not in my direction, but in the direc-
ton of the window, where, drawing aside
the curtain it stood, apparently gazing out
at the night. The moon was riding fast
among the clouds, and threw her beams
upon that mysterious thing standing silent
ly by my dressing table; but her light did
not suffice to show clearly the outline of
the head, which | now saw was hidden in
folds of the same shadowy material which
disguised the lower part of the shape
sSThe idea of trick never for an instant
crossed my mind Sheer terror paralyzed
every nerve. After some moments the
creature dropped the curtain, and in the
same soundless way began to return. 1
have said there was large arm chair beside
the bed In this the figure took up its
position, still holding the lamp in such a
manner as to keep the upper portion of it
in deepest shadow.
"The Ginning clock in the hall pealed
merrily, but the figure did not move.
Great heavens, if it should sit there all
night How long do people take to go
mad from fright | wondered The very
effort to lie still produced longing to move
that was almost intolerable.
IF 1 could only slip out of bed on the
further side and take refuge with Pinfold.
Would it be possible to make a rush and
gain the haven of her room before that
horrible thing should have time to glide
round and intercept my flight?
"Should / try? / would.
'sOne resolute effort would bring me to
the edge of the bed. But the bed was an
ancient one, and as l tried to move it
creaked.
'Still the figure sat motionless. Another
movement brought another creak-and,
oh, horror, my enemy was upon me- With
what seemed supernatural quickness, and
in the same oppressive silence, it rose and
came round to the side of the bed where
was lying. Instinctively closed my eyes,
and strove, until 1 thought my heart would
burst, to breathe regularly and calmly, as
if were asleep.
"By the glare | was made conscious of
the light being held close to my uncon-
trollably quivering eyelids, and in agony |
awaited I knew not what. Then the re-
ceding light, and opened my eyes to see
the figure fitting aimlessly about the room.
But was it aimlessly?
"AlI the stories l had ever heard of
spirits haunting the spots their i'll deeds
had polluted crowded upon my mind as |
watched that figure prosecuting its search.
"Could those tales of ghosts hunting for
wills and documents, unrighteously sup
pressed, be true then after all? Hitherto |
had sat in the seat of the scornful when the
veracitv of such narratives was insisted on.
But l would willingly have given my ad-
hesion to the most monstrous of these
statements could have been spared ocular
demonstration of their truth. Not one
hole or corner of the room did the creature
leave unransacked. Drawer after drawer
was opened and closed again, not in total
silence, but still in the same stealthy man
ner. How long this would have continued
it is impossible to conjecture, but a sudden
violent movement on my part put an end
to the situation. My attempt to escape
had brought me to the very edge of the
bed, and in spite of every effort to retain
my position, now felt myself slipping,
slipping on to the floor. 1t was no use to
grapple with the bedclothes in desperate
struggle to recover my position. There
was nothing for it but to make the best of
bad business, and to guard against the
awkward contingency of falling out of bed
head foremost. With some exertion |
righted myself, but the noise l made in
doing so would, l feared, bring my terrible
vision once more upon me. In sickening
expectation [ stood up for a moment with
eyes closed; when | opened them the thing
was gone. At the same instant | heard
Pinfold move in her bed.
Miss Florence, she cried drowsily,
Miss Florence, what do you want in here2
'sBut once relieved of that awful pres
ence I did not stop to listen. The thought
of foul play had not up to the present oc
CURED to me. But now it crossed my
mind, and changed all my terror into rage.
''Seizing my bell, l rang it till [ pulled
it down.
"'Pinfold, 1 cried, rushing into her
room, both doors of which [ saw were now
open, get up; don't stop to ask me any
thing. There are robbers in the house.
Fly down stairs and call the servants as
you go. will rouse the gentlemen and
send them down the front staircase. By
that means the thieves cannot escape. |
will tell you everything by and by
''T never waited to see whether the ter
rifed Pinfold obeyed my orders. | few
along the passage and down the staircase,
where already found party assembling.
As it. happened, my bell had rung down
stairs, and startled contingent of buffers,
r.. II ,,o.;o,,, Iuara