The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1888-05-04


sils supplied for the meal, and all
TIE belongings of the.house show
ing considerable luxury.
After ealing their supper The two
travellers went TO rest. The elder
took The bed nearest the door, leav-
ing the other, at some feet off, to
his companion. Logs had been
placed on the fire sufficient for The
night, the door was locked, and
the waytarers gladly betook them
selves to sleep.
About an hour alter going TO
sleep the elder suddenly woke,
starting in his bed. He could not
account for this sudden waking.
The room WAS strongly lighted by
the fire, there was no noise, and
Count A. was about to lay himself
once again on his pillow, when a
remarkable sight met him. A man
of striking appearance, with a
gray beard, but dressed IN a blouse,
walked slowly toward the bed.
When he had approached within a
few feet he b eckoned three times
to the Count, as though wanting
him to follow.
The Count gazed at him without
moving, when the figure, bowing
courteously, turned round and
walked slowly away. stopping
from time to time and looking, re-
peating his beckoning gesture with
an imploring gaze till he reached
the door, when he disappeared.
Naturally startled at this unusual
appearance, Count A. rose from
his bed and walked to the door to
see if it had been tampered with,
but it was still locked. Very wea-
ry, he turned in his bed and once
more fell asleep. About an hour
later he again started in the same
sudden manner. Again he saw
the same figure. this time nearer
the bed. Again did it beckon him
to follow, and, and, moving TO yard
the door, turned with great eager
ness, and still oftener than before,
TO repeat the same motion with his
hand. The hand was that of
gentleman, small and white, and
with a ring on one of the fingers.
frightened at tins extraordinary
apparation Count A. this time
woke his companion and narrated |
what had passed. Nonsense" re-
piled the latter, "you ate too much
supper and have been awoke by "A
nightmare. | am really TOO tired
10 talk about It,"
The nervous earnestness with
which The elder traveller repeated
the story, however, impressed the
younger until he proposed that the
curtains of the Counts bed should
be tied to the bedclothes of his, so
that in the case of a third visit he
could be awakened without noise.
After securely fastening the cur
Iains of one bed to The coverings
Of The other each returned TO his
)wD couch.
A third time the Count was
weakened the same startling man
Ter. The figure stood close to his
)ed, and the face of the visitor
ooked down on that of the awak-
med sleeper. The features of the
Ipparition were plainly marked.
They exhibited great pain and sad
less. The Count grasped the hang
ngs! The apparitiOE held up his
land. The Count jerked at his
but they fell back without
for the knot had become
Intied. Once again the figure re-
rea;ed sorrowtully, turning but
eldom 10 beckon, as though the
tlempt had been given up in
espair.
If was now near daybreak. The
)ount awokn his companion, and
hey sat up together till morning. !
Shortly after dawn The caretaker, :
ccording TO previous agreement
nOcked at the door, which the /.
'Ount unlocked without difficulty, /
nd The morning meal brought in. :
he caTetaker looked curiously at +
he two visitors as though inclined !
} ask questions. He, however,
id not carry out tins intention. :
The travellers, mindful of their .
romise, made no remark. The !
orses, well groomed and refresh
n, were ready for their journey, &
nd the two companions left the +
hateaU, the caretaker refusing to !,
ccept any payment or gratuity y
he two men rode away, reached d
leir port of embarkation, and ar ?
we'd safely in England. Il
Not many years later the elder r
the two returned to France and \
ccepted the new state of things. n
he Bonaparte government offered O
i'm an administrative post In the Il
orth. This the Count accepted, v
nd among the other inducements 4,
hiclf led 10 his acceptance was n
he chance Of calculating the mys- .
.ry which constantly required to 7
is memory. A very short time y
spsed after assuming his duties +
hen he made inquiries as to the h
lateau and its owners. 4
The story told hIm was that the 4
lateau belonged to the Marxuis :
E @, a gentleman of great 1
eslth and retired habits. When /
'mewhat advanced IN life, he had n
Iarried a girl of low extraction.
nt Of great beauty-ihe daughter
the peasant who now took care
r. / T.