The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-09
A BRIDEGROOM INITIATED.

Some nights ago, about midnight, an
alarm OF fire was rung In from one OF the
boxes ON West Fourth street, which
brought the engine flying 10 the elegant
residence Of young couple, only married
n few weeks, and who have settled down
In that quarter Of the town. The fire,
which was In the bcdchamber, and IN.
deed In tho bed OF the young married
couple, was soon cxtinguished with a
trivial loss. But back Of this fire Is n story
which for weirdness and mystery is rarely
surpassed.
There never was young couple that
started with brighter prospects. He Is
handsome and rich; sho Ms beautiful
woman as one ever secs on Fourth street.
Yet on the second night before the above
mentioned fire n mystery entered their
lives which threatened 10 not only estrange
them, but TO forever destroy the happiness
Of both.
The first few weeks Of their married
life was dream Of Joys not that the
correct cxprcssion2 Then they (call them
John and Marie for conycniencel began 10
get better acquainted, and therefore 10
take life in n mop mAtter-of.fact way.
10 Il went along until the second night be-
iorc this FIRE.
On that night they went 10 bed and 10
sleep, An hour OF two after tho middle
oi the night John woke up and found
that the moon was shining directly In his
face. lie heard the regular breathing OF
his wife that told Of sweet alumbcr, and,
raising himself on his elbow, thought TO
look into her lovely face made radiant by
the soft moonbcams lie looked.
MY Cod" he ,nsped, and his face
grew positively yellow with horror. She
was more In the shadow, and "a the moon
beams hall concealed, half revealed her
lace, he saw where her face should have
bcen-whem u was, In fact-a chalky
white, CHASTITY thing with only the sem
blancc Of fcatucs-a thing that looked
like marble except that no sculptor had
ever cut out Of marble n face like that.
About the forehead Of this ghastly thing
c,irlod the bright golden tresscs that he
had 10 often smoo,hcd.
lie lay down 90 think II over. "Itis the
moonlight" hc thought, and looked again
No, there u was. moe hidcous oven than
before. lie again lay down and tried 90
think Il out He decided not 10 disturb Il
whatever Il was that had taken his love
ly young brides place.
After troubled sleep he awoko 90 find
u broad daylight Ills wife was awake be-
forc him. There she was, Just as she had
always been hcfore-dccp blue eyes, rcgu.
lar features, rosy complexion and golden
hair. lie would not tell her Of what he
had sccn. Dear creature, she might be
frightened. but he looked nj her furtiycly
every once In while, fearing lest abe
might again he transformed.
lie went TO his business, and in the
evening returned. Marie was still herself.
lie banishcd the event Of the night before
from his mind. thinking that Il was only
disorlorcd dram. After dinner John
told his vito that he had 10 ~ up town for
the evening. and went out, after she had
protested vigorously aud insinuatcd laugh.
ingly,nbout the lodgc beginning to meet 40
early IN their married life.
lie FIN ishcd his business up town early,
and Il was only lOo'clock WHEN he reached
his own door.
"T'll surprise her" he thought and
opening the door softly he went quietly up
the stairs. Their bedroom door was altar,
aud the light streaming into the hallway
showed that Marie was not yet gone 10
bed. John softly pushed open tho door.
His wife stood bciom the mirror In her
night dr-s. lie looked al the reflection
In the glass.
Again that ghnsily iaocl II was his wife
IN form, but the features the white, shape.
less features. lie guaned aloud, and GOV.
crcd his lace with his hands
A sharp scwam In his vifc's voice, col.
lowed by 'Johnl How YOU frightened
me, made him look up. Again Il Was his
wiie's lace the face he loved ~ we'll. lie
looked, his lips parted and his eyes staring
With horror aud amaEcmcnt. Then he sat
down aud bcran mu,iering
~ must l,c madl What does this ncan1
lIor1blcl llorriblcl"
lis wife looked nj him, then came over
and put her arm about his neck.
What II the matter John, DEAR You
seem 10 be Disturbed about something"
"Disiurbcd2 Who would not bc die.
turbcd IL" lie did not finish. No. he
would not LET her know. She looked IA
innoccut, ~ surprised.
1T is nothing am tine,l."
That night hc awokc and looked soycrnl
times nj her iacc In the night. hut IA had
not changed. The frghiiul thing caIno no
morr. wv
49, The next day passcd and night came.
THIS was Wednesday, the night of The |
nw. John awoko shortly after 10 o'clock. !
lie lad not seen that transformation for |
oVcr twenty four hours. Pcrhaps IA had /
Hnne forever. To rca~urr himself ho
locked ntrf 10 his Niic's faco. This time
10 uniiirndly mOonbcam hclprd him IN
81 A Lat I