Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-06-03

I
true indeed that these Southerners have
the kindest and most hospitable hearts
in the world An old and valued friend
of the family could scarcely have been
treated more kindly than |, a complete
stranger, save for the slight stamp of
genuineness which 'Tremoine & Lee
man gave me in this most elegant and
beautiful home, every part of which
betokened the wealth and position of
the owner.
"A few moments later Jacques came
to show me to my room. With ling
ering glance / babe the young lady
goodnight. 1t seemed TO me that her
beautiful eyes were filled with shad-
ow of regret for our brief acquaintance.
Her father followed me to the court
without, after giving me several mes
sages for Mr.. Tremoine and other
friends in Detroit, all of which prom
ised to carry faithfully. Then with a
courtly goodnight he intrusted me to
the care of the waiting African attend
ant.
"My apartment was handsomely fur
nished, in keeping with the rest of the
house. 1t was apparently back room |
connecting with one in front of the !
house by heavy folding doors across |
which rich crimson p0rtiere fell.
Jacques brought me pitcher of |!
fresh water and some clean towels, and |
then, mumbling something in his unin-
telligible crude French, bowed himself
out.
81 examined the room carefully,
locked all the doors except the folding
one, which l found fastened on the
other side, and went to sleep thinking
what a capital joke this was on Smith,
who was undoubtedly reposing beauti-
fully in room los, at the st. Charles,
unconscious of the strange escapade /
had gotten him into. resolved to
write to the young lady as soon as l
left the city, informing her of my little
deception and introducing the original
Smith, whom was quite sure would
fall head over ears in love with her at
sight. Poor Smith, l was just mapping
out his future most beautifully, when
Morpheus seized me and carried me off
into dreamland.
= about midnight | was awakened by
slight noise in the room. listened,
but all was as still as death. Appar-
emily the whole household had fallen
into slumber. | attributed the sound
to my own imagination, and was about
to compose myself to slumber, when a
cold chill crept over me. was sensi-
BILE of a near presence. The room was
intensely dark and could see nothing.
Neither could my faculties, which were
now thoroughly acute, perceive the
slightest movement or sound. Yet my
blood ran cold with the premonition OF
evil. l could feel cold sweat break
ing out all over me-the chill crept to
the very roots of my hair.
with a sudden bound leaped from
the bed. The matches were on a table
near. Istruck one and looked around,
half expecting to see some uncanny
shape leap out of the gloom and attack
me; but the room was empty. l lit the
lamp and examined the apartment
carefully, but all was as secure as when
l retired.
with an impatient condemnation of
my weakness | went to bed again,
leaving the lamp burning low. AS |
am no believer in haunted houses and
my digestion is unusually good, soon
sank into deep slumber.
"About two hours later, however, l
was again awakened by that mysterious
sensation. Again the cold chills, be-
tokening some evil unknown presence,
crept over me. A terrible preSentiment
took possession of me. | dared not
move for second. My knees trem-
bled, the cold drops of moisture stood
on my brow. What could it be-this
. awful presence that seemed to lay cold
fingers upon me in the darkness and
wake me from my sleep? l lay there
shivering as though chilled by some
actual, icy touch for a moment, then
my healthy, vigorous physique reas-
serted itself. was no coward even to
myself. rose stealthily and crept to
the light, turning the full blaze on sud
denly.
"A change in the room startled me.
The heavy portere was thrown aside,
the folding-doors stood wide OPEN
Resolved to penetrate this mystery, |
stepped into the other room.
"A cry of horror escaped me as l
/ did So / stood in the middle of the
, floor, petrified, the very blood freezing
in my veins. There on the bed lay a
man with his throat gashed from ear
to ear, the red blood oozing slowly
upon the white counterpane and the
rich carpet beneath. His wide eyes
were upturned to the ceiling, his white
face transfixed with the death agony.
, 'For second l stood there as if
! frozen to the spot, my senses reeling,
, my hands clinched in sudden agony
of mortal terror; then like flash of
, lightning the truth swept over me. A
terrible crime had been committed.
, The responsibility was to be laid on
, me. In the morning the police would
. come to arrest me. What vestige OF
! power would have to disprove itp
, "With a sudden, quick energy born
of desperation, went to my room and
dressed myself, leaving not the slight
|, est trace of my presence there. Assur-
! ing myself that not a card or a slip OF
paper was left as clew to my identity
l took my boots in my hand and crept
noiselessly down the stairway.
, when l reached the door beyond
, the court | shrank hack in dismay.
had forgotten it would be locked and
barred. l entered the apartment where
: had been entertained the night before,
hoping to find a window unbolted'
{ To my surprise l heard voices and per
ceived light emanating from the
, room adjoining, The door between
was slightly ajar. | walked breath
, lessly across the room and peeped
through the crevice.
Horrors of horrors! What did l see
i there? The fine, courtly old gentle
man of the night before seated at ;
: faro table, surrounded by motley
crowd, and my fine young lady, tn,
| l.;ll:,,t su,oot vasnaH n