Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-01-09

upon it in an almost fainting condition.
He was but vaguely conscious that his
wife was moving him into an easier
position. and tucking warm wraps about
him; thea he smelt brandy, and, mechan-
ically opening his lips, felt the fiery stuff
trickle down his uDaccustomed throat.
He wondered where the brandy came
from; and in the midst of his surmises
fell asleep.
Suddenly. after how lone an interval
he knew not, he was broad awake, with
a feeling that something was going to
happer. He was lyi ing on his back, with
one ann outside the coverlid; the only
light in the room came from the remains
of a coal fire in the open crate. Awake
though he WIS, Maverick did not fully
open his eyes, or SHIFT his position; he
remained absolut ly without motion,
and with his eyelds down. But he could
see that gray figure gliding stealthily
across the room. and drawing nearer and
nearer to him. The lower part of its face
was muffied in some odd drapery; but
the eyes were revealed, ard they were
fixed steadfastly on Mavericks counte-
nance. What did the Il log mean to do
to him? Where was Mrs. Maverick?
Mavericks limbs seen ed bound with
iron; he could not stir, nor utter any
ound; but his whole body seemed to he
made of eyes and ears. 1t was standing
close beside him now, ami extending It's
arm, it laid its cold fingers upon Maver-
ick's wrist. The touch was as light as a
feather, but Maverick felt it through
every nerve of his organism. Then the
cold fingers left his wrist, and creDt slow
ly upward toward his throat. The sweat
bI)ke from his forehead, and his heart
trembled and stood still. The rext in.
slant, with low snarl of desperation
Maverick bad sprung from the bed, and
seized in frantic grasp the burly figure
of DIR. Tibbets, his wife's uncle.
VI.
"But what could do, John dear?'
pleaded MIS-. Maverick the next day, II
uncle hadn't fallen down upstairs al
tins wouldn't have happeued; but as il
was, | didn't dare tell you it was uncle
for fear you world do something violent
l had asked him to come here, without
your knowing it. in order to form an
opinion, if possible, as to your condition
" iSOh'S yOul pulEC NIU
when you were asleep, or IN any way
unaware of his presence. But when YOU
began hunting him in tat wild way
with revolver, what could do but trv
to persuade you that you we're mistaken?
And as for poor uncle, he was nearly
scared 20 death; and if he hadn't been
very kind; he would have run out of the
house at once and left you to your fate
You nearly bal me that time up in
the hall" added DIR. Tibbets, chuckling
"You heard me breathing just inside the
embrasure of thespare room door; and il
that stair hadn't creaked, by the mercy
of Providence, just then, and got you of
the scent, I'd have been a dead man
Then the slalnming of that old barn door
gave me a chance TO communicate with
Maria; but-well, excuse Inc from pass
ing such another night for anybody
And what do YOU think is the matter
with him?" asked Mrs. Nav erick! -
slack of good ale and outdoor air
and doctors - replied the old gentleman
Il tell you, Maverick, doctors are the
best company going; and the Only way
to &c. along without them is to have on-
to dinner once a week"
"Well,' said Maverick, "Pll begin with
you at cur Christmas dinner to day. Az
ter ghost, even a d,cto- is a relief"
Julian Hawthorne.