The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-05-19
gan 70 apologize. but Monsieur De

my uodT SlT, uc Saius NoTuIa'y,
you can not go out in such storm.
will not permit it. My home is large.
We have ample accommodations. Re-
main with US tonight
IL hesitated Q moment; the rain
beating on the window-pane seemed
dismal enough. Besides, l was in
part of the city with which was un-
familiar I might lose my way and
wander about those narrow streets for
hours; and then blood-curdling tales
came back to me of strangers who had
been robbed and half murdered in those
dark thoroughfares. l had a valuable
watch and chain and quite sum of
money about me, which | would not
care to lose. l confess the idea of
venturing out into that pitiless storm,
in the heart of the high-walled, mystic
rious French town, unprotected by
weapon of any sort, rather dismayed
me. Yet l remembered that l had
made arrangements to leave the city in
the morning, and intimated as much
to Monsieur De Chartre.
"'That will not incommode us at ALL
he said, politely. i will leave word
with one of the servants to unlatch the
door and gate at five o'clock. You can
rise then and leave the house at your
pleasure. If you desire cup Of coffee
Jacques will have it ready for YOU
II thanked him sincerely. 1 could
not feel grateful enough for such
warm and cordial hospitality. 1t is
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 l, 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. tr .tEF
"a few moments later Jacques came
to show me to my room. With ling
ering glance l babe the young lady
good night. 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.
Used 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. II was apparently back room
connecting with one in front of the
house by heavy folding doors across
which rich crimson portiere 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.
II examined the room carefully,
locked al the doors except the folding
. one, which / 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, ut the st. Charles,
unconscious of the strange escapade !
; had gotten him into. I resolved I'd
write to the young lady as soonaas
!. left the city, informing her of my little
deception and introducing the original
: Smith, whom l was quite sure would
, fall head over ears in love with her al
sight Poor Smith, Twas Just mapping
out his future most beautifully, when
Morpheus seized me and carried me of
into dreamland
"About midnight was awakened by
a slight noise in the room. I listened
but all was as still as death. Appar
emily the whole household had fallen
: into slumber. l attributed the SOUND
Z to my own imagination, and was about
) to compose myself to slumber, when s
cold chill crept over me. was sensi
BILE of near presence. The room was
= !. intensely dark and could see nothing
! Neither could my faculties, which were
now thoroughly acute, perceive thu
= : slightest movement or sound. Yet my
blood ran cold with the premonition O
evil could feel cold sweat break
5 ing out all over me-the chill crept tt
= the very roots of my hair.
J with sudden bound l leaped from
! the bed. The matches were on table
= near. Istruck one and looked around
half expecting to see some uncanny
y shape leap out of the gloom and attacl
. me; but the room was empty. litth'
). lamp and examined the apartmen
carefully, but all was as secure as whel
J | retired.
n "With an impatient condemnation o
my weakness l went to bed again
leaving the lamp burning low. AS
d am no believer in haunted houses ant
o my digestion is unusually good, l soOl
,. sank into deep slumber.
l. "About two hours later, however,
Q was again awakened by thatmysteriOu
l. sensation. Again the cold chills, be
TT tokening some evil unknown presence
8 crept over me. A terrible presentimen
took possession of me. l dared no
he move for second. My knees trem
a bled, the cold drops of moisture stoo
IL on my brow. What could it be-thi
10 awful presence that seemed to lay col
fingers upon me in the darkness an
1t wake me from my sleep? lay Their
I. shivering as though chilled by som
5, actual, icy touch for moment, the
n my healthy, vigorous physique reas
- SclVCu itScil' was ilO COW Iu CNCh Y
g myself. rose stealthily and crept t
Is the light, turning the full blaze on SUD
rs denly.
he "A change in the room startled MI
ly The heavy portiere was thrown asid,
he the folding-doOrs stood wide oper
Resolved to penetrate this mystery,
he stepped into the other room.
re "A cry of horror escaped me as
es did so. l stood in the middle of tb
nj Annr rotrsfoJ ho rarx, NlooI f,.aa1sv,