West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1886-05-28


the kindcst 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
gcnuincncss which 'Trcmoine d Lee
man gave me in this most elegant and
beautiful home, every part of which
bctokcned the wealth and position Of
the owner.
"A few moments later Jacques came
10 show me TO my room With ling
ering glance | badc the Young lady
goodnight u seemed 10 me that her
beautiful eyes wcr, filled with "a shad-
ow of regret for our brief acquaintance.
Her father followed me TO the court
without. after giving me several mes
,agcs for Mr. Trcmoine and other
friends in Detroit, all of which prom.
iscd 10 carry faithfully. Then with "A
cOurtly goodnight he intrustcd me to
the care of the waiting African attend
ant.
My apartment was handsomely FUR
nishcd, in Keeping with the rest of the
house. 1t was apparently "A back room
connecting with one in front of the
house by heavy folding doors across
which a rich crimson pOrticre fell.
Jacques brought mo n pitcher Of
fresh water and some clean towels. and
then. mumblng something i'm his uniu-
tclligiblc crude French, bowed himself
out
II examined the room carefully,
locked all 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 rcposmg beauti-
fully i'm room lOj, at the ST Charles,
unconscious OF the strange escapade |
had gotten him into. resolved to
write 20 the young lady as soon as |
left the city, informing her of my little
deception and Introducing the original
smith, whom | was quite sure would
fall head over ears i'm love with her at
sight. Poor Smith, was just mapping
out his future most beautifully, when
Morpheus seized me and carried me of
into drcamland.
about midnight | was awakened by
a slight noise i'm 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
1
bic 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. ! could feel cold sweat break
ing out all over me the chill crept to
the very roots of my hair
with a sudden bound | leapcd from
the bed The matches were on table
near. lstTuck one and looked around,
half expecting TO see some uncanny
shape leap out of the gloom and attack
me; but the room was empty. | little
lamp and examined the apartment
carefully, but all was as secure as when
| 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 "a deep slumbcr
About two hours later, however, |
was again awakened by that mysterious
sensation. Again the cold cnils. be
tokening some evil unknown presence,
crcpt over me. A terrible prcscntiment
took possession of me. | dared not
move for second. NV knees trem-
bled. the cold drops of moisture stood
ON my brow What could it bc-thi,
awful presence that seemed to Law cold
fingers upon me i'm the darkness and
wake me from my sleep? lay there
Shiyerng As though chilled bv some
actual, icy touch for q moment, then
my healthy, vigorous physique reas-
serted itself | was no coward even to
myself / rose stcalthily and crept to
the light, turning the full blaze on sud
denly.
"A change in the room startled me.
The heavy portiere was thrown aside,
the tolding-doors stood wide open.
Resolved TO penetrate this mystery |
stepped into the other room.
"A cry of horror escaped me as /
dld so. / stood in the middle of the
floor, pctrilied, the very blood freezing
in my veins There ON the bed Law
man with his throat gaShed from ear
TO car, the red blood ooIing slowly
upon the white couutarpanc and the
rich carpet beneath. His wide eyes
were upturucd to the ceiling. his white
face tran,liNed with the death agony
For second / stood there "a. il
frozen To- the spot. my senses ~eeI,no.
of mortal terror; then like "a flash Of
lightning thc truth swept over me. A
terrible crime had been committed
The responsibility was 10 be laid ON
me. Ia the morning the police would
come TO arrest me. What ve-tige of
power would have TO disprovc IL?
''Nith q sudden, quick energy born
OF desperation, / went Co my room and
dressed myself, leaving not the slight
est trace of my presence there. A-sur-
ing myself that not card or slip of
paper was left as Glow to- my identity.
] took my boots in my hand and crcpt
nOiselc-sIy down thc stairway
"Whcu / reached the door beyond
the court ] ,hrank back boo di-may. /
had forgotten 10 would be locked and
barred ] entered the apartment where
] had been entertained the night before.
hoping TO find window unboltcd
10 my surprise ] heard voice. and per-
ociycd light cmauaUng from the
room adjoining. The door between
was slightly aiar J walked breath
lr--Iv across tho room and pnepcd
through The crcvicc.
Horrors OF horror-' Whatdid I sec
tHcre2 The fine, courtIy old gentle
man Of Tine night before seated 200 q
faro table. surrounded by motley
d