The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-06-19
A CRY IN THE NIGHT.
A Weird Posthumous Story by
Nine. George Sand.

1t was early evening in Venice. The
limpid waters flashed and glistened in the
yellow moonlight and their gurgling
mingled dreamily with the song and music
which seemed to be everywhere. June was
but just begun, and the balmy air and the
soft weather had filed all the lagoons with
gopdolas From my balcony l watched
tho fitting craft and gay freight go back
and forth and hither and thither across the
limits of my vision.
At last, full of the fun, joy and glory
which the jewellers made, called my gon-
dOlier and babe him take me out upon the
water. 1t mattered but little which way we
went, so our bark drifted, except when it
was necessary to dip an oar to avoid a
collision.
All Venice seemed alive with the merry.
half-mad, riotous spirit of the sport, and at
last the water became fairly thick with
harges and gondolas. In and out among
them we went, slowly, and from every side
we were hailed with jests, laughter, bits of
music and snatches of song The mirth and
good will with which we were surrounded
soon took the gloom and care out of my
own sad heart, and | laughed, chatted and
sang with them all, and was as gay as the
gayest.
An hour later, as we were passing under
d INV DdlCOuy all unseen woman suddenly
began singing one of the sweet songs of
France, my own dear country. The song
came from throat as flexible as a birds
and as full of music. We paused beneath
the BE- !cony until the song was done; then
threw the singer handful of white lilies
and we drifted slowly away.
Five minutes later all the mirth and music
on the lagoon stopped instantly, and in its
stead was a great and awful silence. 1t was
caused by wild cry-a scream so terrible
that it seemed to curdle the blood in every
heart-which came from the balcony where
i had just thrown the lilies One only utters
such cry when in mortal agony or NOR
tai terror; and in this case it seemed in
spired by both, There were blanched faces
and staring eyes everywhere. All were
listening for repetition of the dreadful
sound. Ours was the only gondola which
moved. All the Others seemed unclaimed
or spell-bound by that awful cry. NV gon-
dolier as if by instinct anticipated my
wish, and sent our graceful craft flying
through the water until we were once more
under the balcony whence the song and the
cry came. Clutching the low railing l
swiftly drew myself up, but there was no
one in sight. Through window before me
heard stifed cry of pain, and instantly
rushed in the direction it came from.
The lights were dim, but in an inner room
! saw the outline of woman's FORM and
heard the rustic of sil1en garments. A
black shadow seemed standing between us,
and then, all at once, the woman gave the
awful cry again, sprang forward, and
threw herself into my arms. Her heart was
beating wildly, and there was agony and
terror in her every movement
do not move" she said, 'do not stir.
am in danger, but | shall be safe if you hold
me fast for a moment"
/ clasped her closely to my breast, and
she flung her arms tightly about my neck
Then | again saw the shadow. 1t had a
mans shape, but as it came forward the
fearful color of its face and the still more
hideous glow in its eyes made it seem like
some fiend or vampire 1t came very close
to me and breathed its hot, scorching
breath into my face From impulse,
raised my hand and struck at it, but ii
darted backward and laughed at me in a
way which | shall never forget.
do not" said the woman; ''do not move
at all. He will go presently and leave us
alone"
/ was wonderfully puzzled by the strange
scene. 1t seemed to me too much like the
Middle Age diableTie and nonsense to be
real. But there was no mistake about it;
the woman was still in my arms painting
with fright, and yonder in the middle of
the floor, stood the fiend, or whatever il
was, grinning and Kissing at me. Just be-
hind me | could hear the other jewellers
who had been with me on the lagoons. Re
covered from their surprise at the alarm
cry, they had also come to investigate, and
into the room where was standing with
the woman and the goblin. My eyes were
firmly fixed upon the latter when the
Others began clambering over the balcony
Suddenly, and without sound, the sinister
presence vanished. How, could never
tell. 1t is barely possible that he dartec
through some unseen door and out along
some mysterious hallway or he might have
melted into thin air That point l have
never been able to decide. | only know
that was looking straight at the eerit
shape, when suddenly the space which il
had filed became empty.
Then the woman released herself from
my embrace, and, slipping her hant
through my arm, she stepped forward witt
me to greet those who were still coming il
through the open windows from over thu
balcony.
thank you all for coming" she said
Though the danger is past now. / was Sc
riously disturbed and greatly frightened
by most unwelcome intruder, whom thu
gentleman at my side has driven away
The object of my alarm will not return
again, so l will detain you no further from
your sport, unless you will do me the homo
to stay and partake of my hospitality.
will order refreshments il you will permi
men
But the jewellers thanked her and sal,
no; and soon | again heard their must
and laughter as the gondolas went fiittin
about in the moonlight
When the others had gone l, too, starte
to leave the woman at my side but sh
chung to my arm
"Must you golr she said, plaintively
team you not stay with me for littl
WineP'