Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-08-03
powerlsss. To lie and watch from between

the bed, and toward the fireplace
where turning round in the mid
stream of the moonlight, face and
figure alike stood revealed. The same and
yet not the same, a mask rather than a face
the lips parted the eyes open and staring
fixedy before them, with n terrible, unmis-
taxable stare of vacuity-the face of one
more dead than alive Terrible as the sight
was, it brought with it sudden and un-
looked for relief The first look at those APP
parently sight less orbs and that expression
less countenance assured me that the old man
was as genuinely unconscious of his sur
roundings as was endeavorn. to appear to
he of mine Once before, had seen man
walking in his sleep, and had not forgotten
that CHASTITY phenomenon.
He was still cropping about with his hands,
and it did not occur to me Mt the moment as
altogether opposed to the theory had so
readily adopted that what was in his normal
state only nearsightedneSs should he exag-
gerated in his present condition into almost
If not total-hlindncSs. Suddenly, while |
was still watching him, for my eyes had not
quilted him for moment, one wandering
hand found resting place on the arm of the
big chair | had noticed upon entering the
room rs having been put for my accommoda-
ton. The effect upon the frame OF the old
man was rs Though there were connected
with the wood "a SalVmur battery. Livery
nerve IN hir body seemed 10 toe put IN mo-
tlon' but though his teeth chartered ana hl5
eyes moved III thelr sockets, hoSouhu escaped
hint was as though one had electrified
corpse.
$50 strong rs that, and yet not strong
enough to awaken him! \ chill that | could
4 Ita
ing all my faculties, was creeping over me.
Ihe lace that was staring at, with eyes
which refused to leave 1t for the shortest mo-
mont of time, seemed moro and moro the dis
Jpited image OF That was fanlllar WIN;
felt as though break this unnatural silence l
must, but no word. came to my assistance.
Had /, too, been struck dumb and helpless!
IL only he would speak, rave, 90 anything!
| was scarcely conscious of the longing
that was upon me, before it was gratiiied'
the trembling figure erected itself, as if de
terninedly getting the better of the shock it
had received, and once more, but this time
as of fixed purpose, the thin grasping fingers
were stretched out in the direction of the
char AS they closed upon 1t, the whole
lace changed, all expression OF eagerness and
avldlty took the place OF the vacant stare l
had hitherto confronted, what looked ike
nash OF triumph seemed to quicken INTO lie,
beneath their bushy brows, the eyes whose
power OF vision had thought suspended,
ana with strange, unearthly sound, half
cry, half chucile, which made my blood
creep the old man hung himself on his knees
before the char,
In this attitude, ana with his back TO me,
what was 1t he was dong, or attempting
to do.
raised myself little in the bed and saw
to my increased my stitication that he had
taken hold of the char-a ponderous old
contriyance. swathed i'm a loose cover of faded
don,oel,-o,,d ,yoo a,,rorortl,, o,orire, to
tn4 Tha 81 =" '.s L,,'a,Il ''ot
.h' !" up NJ ciiiilceS "e'o nc "ouiu uPse'
IL, ana nov escape "iChouO more OF less III
jury to himself in doing so. Yet how to
withdraw him from it without awakening
him, and that roughly-a measure always,
so I had been instructed To be carefully
o,.oidod IN oosos If so,,ro,'hrIisr,
" - So-ili'''' :, o,:
hi van DecNei iii'iin, l Sapi' n'iui"5
my voice at last WIN an enort' can come
and help YOU"
There was short, sharp sound rs Of some
thing falling, but there was no answer-and
~. $780,. NJ W. T-,1.a,.,,,a,,,,,