Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-12-01

"
sixry-five years. as it was that night. The
forehead was low and broad, the eyes
close together, small. dark, and of an in
tense brilliancy. the nose aquiline, the
mouth finely curved and shaded by q thin
black moustache, the ends of which were
twisted up half way across the cheeks.
The chin was pointed and the cheek bones
| high, and the teeth of dazzling whiteness.
Singularly enough was not startled at
the presence of my unbidden guest. The
transition from partial to full waking
consciousness was so slow that | had time
apparently to accommodate my mind to
the strange situation. What first puzzled
me was to know how he got in. had
locked the door before going to bed, and
fastened the windows and there was no
other way of ingress or egress. | glanced
at the latter, they we're just as had left
them. l looked toward the door-it was
shut, and gave no indication OF having
been forced. As the only way out of the
dilemma it occurred to me that | must
have been mistaken in the belief that the
door had been secured. l might have
thought | turned the key in the lock with
out actually doing it. The conclusion
at which arrived was that the stranger
had gained admittance through my own
neglect.
The next questions that arose were /:
What did he want? Who was be and why
had he chosen so extraordinary an hour to
make his call ? AS to the answer to the
first of these | was not long permitted to
remain in doubt. The time consumed in
making the foregoing reflections seemed
longer to me probably than it really was.
During the whole interval my guest re-
manned motionless, with his penetrating
eyes fixed upon me. My amazement at
first seeing him and subsequent perplexity
produced no appal ent impression. The
muscles OF his face never moved. He
Just sat there regarding me steadfastly as
though | ought to know as we'll as he
what the nature OF his errand was. At
last, when had resolved to break the
silence of the scene and was thinking in
what words to couch my demand for an
explanation, he anticipated me by a mo-
ton of the hand, indicating that | should
get up. | obeyed him as if he had
a right to command me. There was not
the least hesitation or mistrust. | felt
that was acting under an influence which
had neither the power nor the inclination
to resist. | hurriedly drew on nv panta-
looms and coat, and waited for further
directions. He conveyed me in panto-
mine his wish that should produce writ
ing materials and seat myself at the table,
| went to the closet where the ink and
portfolio were, took them out, took up
the light, and, drawing chair to the
table, sat down in it prepared to carry out
the desires of the mysterious visitor.
Then for the first time he spoke II me.
His voice was singularly low, soft and
sweet. hardly masculine in its tones. Had
heard it without knowing from whom it
came | should certainly have supposed
that it was woman speaking. After
apologizing tor his intrusion and gently
repulsing several attempts of mine to find
out to what circumstances was indebted
for the honor of his visit, he asked me to
write the words which he should dictate.
He took his seat upon the bed and for the
better part of an hour kept me busy in
his thoughts. When | had
finished he expressed his thanks for my
directed me to inclose the manu-
script in the strongest paper ] had and
seal it up. did so. He then
asked me to address it to myself and
below the address to write an Injunction
that under no circumstances was the
packet to be opened until after my death |
Having observed that all his requests
were complied with he again thanked me
and rose to take his departure. was
more than ever struck, when he stood up, |
by his splendid physical proportions aud
imposing air. had never seen man of |
more elegant bearing and greater stature
also noticed what had not observed
before, that bis hands were exceedingly !,
small and white, while his feet were large |
and most peculiarly shaped. The next
and last surprise was the greatest OF all.
He preceded me to the door, and before
taking hold of the knob turned the key.
The door had been locked all the time
Before had time to recover from nv
establishment he disappeared, and never
saw him again.
listened throughout to the doctors
with rapt attention, and when he |
had concluded observed:
But you have not told me the nature |
of the contents of the manuscript"
mo; Il forgot to add that he exacted
a pledge that would never reveal what |
had written"
And what became of the packet"
1T was lost about twenty-five years
ago while was crossing the ST. Johns
river in Florida"
Have you any idea who your extraor-
binary visitor was ?'
II have"
"Who p"
The devil. &C. D. B. in Brooklun |
Eagle.