New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-01
THE HORROR IN THE NIGHT.


Tho figure (Which stood impressiyely stll) arose
to an nsng height and forced to bow in enter
ing tho low doorway, circumstance adding to It's gen
eral frghfuness 1t appeared possessed OF bodily SUD-
stance and yet seemed again to consist OF only frame
work of Perhaps this idea heightened by the
ntrusiveness of the head, which was turned toward
Bevern, transfxng him. The head was plainly that or
human skull the Jaws Of which chartered up and down
nces sanity from intense cold, while the hollow OF
the eyes emitted, instead OF the human glance a
strange red restless glitter not unlike that seen In ruby
tinsel Depending from the head, under the coniine-
ment of peculiar crownlike affair which encirced the
cranum giving forth frequent green sparks like forked
snakes tongues, fell long veil mantle OF purple
material down on to the gbbetlike shoulders. The
shoulders farther covered with composed or
nnnmerable links of iron, which working into each
other produced the constant metallic sound TO which he
had been hearkening. shadowy drapery seemed to
enshrod the lower figure and lie became cognzant OF
long lsnk hands without nesh and feet heavily pendant
with chains which gave out harsh, scraplng clank
with every movement. The hands appeared to be drip
piag and reeLng with human blood
"very spectacular! very fine indeed! muttered Bev
erin summoning some OF the bravado OF skepcism 10
hi. aid, yet inwardy wrought up to an nconceivable
pitch quite the proper thing indeed! (strving 10
calm himself in speech and thus ria himself of the
horrible petrfacton stealing upon hm) the black cat
the sobbIng woman the. the-Oh." He could say no
morc-language had forsaken him. He was not, how
ever entirely destitute Of maneuvre rs yet and bring
ing revolver again into play he held 1t up in desper
alton and took n trembling aim. With sudden move,
rapid the figure approached him until the
cory dripping fingers hung suspended Just above his
starting eyebas Heayens the next moment the blood
must drop in murderous token upon his brow beneath
those awful facts. An Icy atmosphere surrounded bim
he was en- veoped IT. 1t chilled him TO the marrow OF
the homes 80 that the upfed pistol dropped inconti
neutly upon the II itself too parayzed to ex
ctyaJ With ohaol feor
and apprehension than he had ever been with scatlc
main shrank away terrified from bis CHASTITY neighbor as
II 10 eyade imminent peril. The execution OF THESE
evens had rapid that his wits seemed departed
In the meantime there had been no abatement or the
other everything was the rather intensified
by the recent arrival Quite az rapidly as II had adj
,anced the figure withdrew from him pace or so; he
coud hear those frghtful Jaws chateng II grinding
out anathemas although none werc spoken; one inl
nres.ive index finger still continuing to point toward
him a an unfortunate object for persecution How long
they continued in this mutual position Bsvern could
not have known; seemed cycles 10 him. lie felt like
one turned to % mummy long dsenlbodied. His head
when he attempted TO turn It appeared to work on
massive brass hinge grown rusty or an Intricate COM
bluation lock- His eyes, 1xed aud inmovable, had for
fctcd the power OF winklrg any longer his mouth was
"A ~ ske together his limbs stin and Inhexble Ike
frozen members The only light IN which his companion
sood-t that from the hali-was 90 uncertain aud dim
that had not been for occasional phosphorcscent
! alog which cmanated from the bony anatomy Of the
creature It mast have continued quite indstinguishabe
IN the general gloom Beverln somewhat treasured by
the slight barrier Of distance thus utcrpo'ed sat up In
his chair a little aud tried TO frame his mouth into
aueson The faint gaspng sound emitted left no pos
! sble doubt as 20 his complete fright
"oh, Willie, Willie" came the wsiiing voice from
down beow aud now, Oh climax Of horrors tho dis
tnct soatd OF struggle; crime was being committed
aI he m,n, defender. could not proven III He was
r,vero-s while foul murder dealing upon pure in-
iDrrncc its cruel stroke.