The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-05-03
A CURIOUS COMPANION.

n CUhIOIrC NNjM AN ION.
NANTED-By young married lady. com
w panion TO es de with her during her hus
bands absence in India: Il liberal salary will
be given, with Every m comfort, TO any
one, suitable. Apply personally. if possible
at No. 24o Upper Berkeley st, W.
OF the legions that applied cannot
attempt detailed description. By the
afternoon l was thoroughly exhausted
and had made up my mind to see no
more, when, just as it was getting
dusk. my servant came up to the draw
ing-room and informed me that such a
nice-looking young lady was in the
dining-roOm; quite the incest that had
been yet.
'sAsk her to come upstairs, then, Ell
lis; but do not admit any one else,'
replied; and the next minute the draw
ing-room door was thrown open by Ell
lis. and ''Miss Burke" announced.
She was dressed in mourning, and,
even IN the dim light, was. could see.
a pale-faced, rather handsome girl of
about four-and-twenty.
Nothing could he more satisfactory
than her letters of reference, and after
reading them carefully by the light OF
the fire, | raised my eyes toward my
visitor, whom | found regarding me in
the most eager manner imaginable.
'.They are most kind letters" said,
''and as far as references go, | am sure
/ could not do better. Your duties
would be very light=-it is really only
for the sake of companionship that l
require any one. as do everything for
myself, but I have been very lonely
since my husband went away"
Il can imagine it, responded Miss
Burke. sympathizingly. Il should do
my utmost to cheer you"
.'You are very kind to say so," an
swered.
''SDould we agree as to terms, when
could you Gomez"
Tomorrow, if you permit me" re-
piled Miss Burke. Il am in lodgings.
and the expense is so great, l should
only be too glad to give them up-I
am very poor, she added in low
tone.
A fortnight slipped quietly away,
and in my weekly budget to my hus-
band | gave most charming accounts
of my companion, which our every
day intercourse seemed fully to con-
firm. But about the third week a
something I coud not explain made
me take dislike to her. had not
been very well. and her kindness had
been unremitting; consequently, felt
almost angry with myself for indulg-
ing in feeling which could not help
acknowledging was both unreasonable
and childish.
But it gained ground in spite of my
Ill ~ T cfa IN,
by the looking-glass in my bedroom,
which was in The shadow, | caught
sight of Miss Burke, who VAS leaning
ON the mantle-piece in the full light of
the gas, which burned on either side
of it, regarding me with a steady and
searching glance, which instantly OBJ
served, but had sufficient sense to take
no notice of. The expression in her
large black eyes haunted me for days,
and caused me to say goodnight to
her on the landing, and, in addition,
to lock my door, a precaution l had
never before thought of taking.
One night shortly afterward awoke,
fancying heard movement outside
the door. My room was, perfectly
dark, and / was, convinced some noise
had suddenly awakened me- ! listen
ed intentIy, almost too terrified to
breathe, until / heard most distinctly
the handle of my door cautiously turn
ed. An almost death-like horror seiz-
ed me, and for an instant | was abso-
loutely rigid with terror; but the spell
was broken by another audible effort
to open the door and the hall clock
striking 8, which made me spring up
in bed, seize the matches and, with
trembling fingers, attempt two or three
times to strike light. At last l was
successful, and the welcome blaze OF
the gas which lit gave me courage to
call out boldly. "Who is there?" But
no answer came. 1 pealed my bell
vigorously, and in few minutes
heard steps approaching. and Ellis
welcome voice asked if / were ill.
.fNo, Ellis, not ill.," said, ''but ter
rified," as / unlocked the door and ad-
mitted her. ''Some one tried my dooi
not five minutes ago."
''Tried your door. ma'amP surely
notm calculated Ellis.
Ellis had been with me ever since
my marriage, now three years, and
had been well known to my husbands
family all her life, consequently felt
| might trust her, so said. ''Ellis,
have my own suspicious; but we must
do nothing until we are sure. Mean
while vou must have bed made up in
this room, and we must watch"
.Miss Burke?" whispered Ellis.
YES" replied; lit was she who
tried my door.
Tired and unnerved, | met Mis-:
Burke at breakfast, and we spent oul
morning in very silent fashion.
wrote to my husband while she walked
restlessly about the drawing-room
constantly asking me how ! was, ar
inquiry for which / did not feel sc
grateful as | might have done undel
other circumstances. Lunch came anC
afterward Miss Burke, who was usu.
ally most unwilling to go out, asked
me if I could spare her for the after
noon, as she wanted TO go and see I
sick friend.
"Certainly," replied glad to ge
rid of her. About o'clock lay dowl
on the sofa Ill the inner drawing-room
and must have fallen asleep, for
heard no one come into the room, bu
I awoke with the consciousness tha
some one was leaning over me will
their face in close proximity to m.
own. felt rather than saw themi 81
close were they to me that their lip
seemed almost touching my own, AM
as sprang up came into violent col
Ilision with-rny companion.
..Miss Burke" ! exclaimed indig
nantly, but could say nothing more
for, after all, the crime of leaning
over me was not of deadly nature
Though coupling it, as I instantly did