The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-04-25

j Will De loui cuR'1he'S 49,"
are absent: think l can. ] have taught
school before And will 60 with you
tonight and see the rector.
This kindness terminated Lucy's MIND.
In few moments she had settled her
plans. and the two sought the Rev. John
Archer. and had the matter satisfactorily
settled. Lucy was to start inthe O'Clock
train. and Miss Burton was 10 enter the
school in the morning.
Hurriedly making other arrangements
Lucy babe her new friend a grateful
good-by, took fly and WAS driven TO the
station. The train was ready she en-
tered. II was only an hours ride TO her
home.
Suddenly. while the train was rushing
through thick darkness, lighted only by
cloud Of sparks. Lucy remembered her
obtrusive admirer.
Il have escaped himi" she thought,
with moments delight.
Anticipating her arrival she found her
fathers chaise cart awaiting her, the
horse driven by her little brother viii.
How is father, will?"
He is very III, Lucy
That night was long and hard one
for the friends OF the sick man. But at
dawn. to the relief of all, the physicians
pronounced him out Of danger.
The morning sunshine found Lucy
pallid and exhausted. She was greatly
unnerved. They begged her 10 60 to
sleep. but she could not rest. Her eyes
were heavy, lips pale, her hands hot.
She carried some spring water, cool and
sparkling. to her room, wet her throb-
bling temples and her thick, rich hair,
the weight of which oppressed her ach-
ing head.
While engaged in this she heard a
knock at the door. Hurriedly coiling her
hair. she went down. Thedoor was open.
She did not approach it for, standing full
in the sunshine, upon the threshold of
her home. was the tall, gaunt, detested
figure that had haunted her, like night
: mare. for weeks. Covered with dust,
his lank hair struggling upon his shoul-
/ ders. his sallow hands extended, and his
bloodshot eyes fixed upon her face, his
/ appearance was repulsive, his presence
/ frightlul. She shrieked, and ran away.
Forgetting the invalid, she had slam
med the sitting-room door behind her,
when she heard her name gently pro-
nounced, and Henry Graysonicaught her
in his arms.
any dear Lucy, what is the mat
ter ?"
What an inexpressible relief was his
protecting embrace, and the rain of tear:
that followed. She told him what had
happened.
Search was made, but there was no ap
pearance OF any one near the house, and
gradually Lucy became assured and com
posed.
1t eas II O'Clock when, full Of happy
thoughts, Lucy Hutton went up TO hel
chamber.
The room was large; window wa:
open; a gust of air rushed in and extin
guished her candle She paused fain
thrill Of her old timidity came over her
But she summoned her natural courage
and saying, - / viii not 90 down stain
for matches !; / will 20 to bed in tn e dark,
she closed and also locked closet doc
which vawned behind her. drew back ;
curtain 10 let in the starlight and begal
10 undress.
Nothing unpleasant now mingled Will
the girls happy thoughts, as she softl,
unrobed herself She had quite forgottel
the present in thinking of delightful
future, when strange noise startled hei
1t seemed like something struggling
against the wall Her heart leaped int
her throat.
"Pshaw Its only a rat" she said, tn
next moment.
As she lay down she thought she hear
the sound again. But after that all wa
still. she lay awake, occupied with he
, busy thoughts for awhile, but soon fel
asleep.
Ii was late when she awoke F; the room
was full of sunshine. Remembering he
fathers state, Lucy overcame feeling {
languor, rose and quickly dressed. In dc
ing 50, she remembered the experienc
Of the previous evening. A sudde
thought came 10 her.
Il must have locked the cat in tn
closet last night. Poor old Prue :"
: She unlocked the door. The key turn
! ed with some difficulty. Flinging ope
the door a stiff, dead human figure fe
upon her, crushing her to the floor.
Those who heard the noise came rush
ing mp. Lucy was in commissions Tn
: frightful, distorted corpse had rolled asid
and lay upon its face. The room was fol
of the scent Of ehloroform.
Lucy was finally restored, but her mel
vous condition was deplorable. For week
they watched over her feverish. deliriou
slumber, fearing insanity, aud not with
, out reason.
: The dead man was given over to In
care Of the town authorities, and buried
+ by them. 1t WAS never known who h
} was. ON learning the story, many though
him insane oihers believed him to b
: lawless and inscriptions adyenturel
! In his pockets were found pistol,
} broken vial of chloroform, and a sponge
! 1t was thought he intended to rende
! Lucy insensible, and carry her away il
the night. But he was dead, and inca
; pable of more harm. Probably whel
: Lucy locked the closet door he was crowd
: ed in and the vial broken. He wa
? sInothered 10 death.
/ 1t took years to overcome this dreadfu
t experience but now Lucy Grayson tell
of it. without excitement, to her childreI
$500 Reward.
p If you suffer from dull. heavy heat