Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-05-25
Gales aud Sketthes.
A CRY IN THE NIGHT.
AN UNPUBLISHED PosTHUMOUs STORY By
NINE. GEORGE SAND.
TRANSLATED BY Lew VANDERPOoLE.

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 mus
&c which seemed to be everywhere.
June was but just begun. and the balmy
air and the soft weather had filled all the
lagoons with gondolas.
From my balcony watched the fitting
craft and CAV freight 60 back and forth
and hither and thither across the limits or
my vision.
At last. full of fun, Joy and glory which
the jewellers made, called my Condo Ter
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 col
lision.
All Venice seemed alive with the merry,
half mad. riotous spirit Of the sport, and
at last the water became fairly thick with
barges and gondolas.
In and out among them we went, slow
ly, 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 so3n took the gloom and
care out of my own sad heart. and |
laughed, chartered and sang with them all,
and was as gay as the gavest
An hour later, as We were passing I'M
der low balcony an unseen woman sud-
denly 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 balcony until the song
was done; then | threw the singer a
handful of white lilies and we dritted
slowly away.
Five minutes later all the mirth and
music on the lagoon stopped instantly,
and in its stead was great and awful ST.
lence. 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 had just thrown
the lilies. One only utters such cry
when in mortal agony or mortal terror !;
and in this case it seemed inspired by
both There were blanched faces and
staring eyes everywhere. All were list
ening for repetition of the dreadful
sound.
Ours was the only gondola which
moved. All the others seemed enchanted
or spellbound by that awful cry. My 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 swiftly drew myself up, but there
was no one in sight. Through window
before me heard a stifled cry of pain Z,
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 rus lie of silken gar
ments. A black shadow seemed standing
between us, and then all at once, the wo-
man 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 move
ment.
do not move." she said. do not stir.
| am in danger. but shall be safe if you
hold me fast for 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
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 it darted backward and
laughed at me in way which shall new
er forget.
''Do not" said the woman; lido not
move at all. He will 90 presently and
leave us alone"
| was wonderfully puzzled by the
strange scene. 1t seemed to me too much
like the Middle Age diablerie and nom
sense to be real. But there was no mis-
take 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 it was, grlnning and Kissing at
ne.
Just behind me could hear the other
jewellers who had been with me on the
lagoons. Recovered from their surprise
at the alarming cry, they had also come
to investigate, and they were climbing
over the balcony 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 Chamber
ing over the balcony. Suddenly. and
without sound, the sinister presence
vanished. How, could never tell. 1t is
barely possible that he darted 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 eerie shape, when suddenly the
space which it had filled became empty
Then the woman released herself from
my embrace. and. slipping her hand
through my arm, she stepped forward
with me to greet those who were still
coming in through the open windows from
over the balconies.
IL thank you all for coming" she said,
though the danger is past now. Twas
seriously disturbed and greatly frightened
by most unwelcome intruder. whom the
gentleman at my side has driven away.
The object. of my alarm will not return
again, so | will detain you no further
from your sport, unless you will do me
the honor to stay and partake of my hos
pitality- will order refreshments, il YOU
will permit me-
But the jewellers thanked her and said
no; and soon again heard their music
and laughter, as the gandolas went fitting
about through the moonlight.
When the others had gone I. too. start
ed to leave the woman at my side, but she
chung to my arm.