Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-12-20

could enter.
Isat down ana reflected over my adventure
a long time. Finally, got into bed and put
out the light
For a time all went well. I was lying
quietly on my back. Then I felt desire to
look around the room, and turned over on
my side.
The fire had died down, only two or three
red brands remaining, just frightening the
feet of the arm chair, and I thought I again
saw the man sitting therel
hastily struck match. I had deceived
myself I no longer saw anything. How
ever, l arose and concealed the chair behind
the bed. Then 1 again darkened the room
and endeavored to sleep.
had not lost consciousness for more than
five minutes before 1 saw, in dream, and
plainly as the reality, the whole scene of the
evening over again. I awoke In consterna-
ton, and, having made a light, remained sit
ting on the bed without even daring to try to
sleep.
Twice, however, slumber overcame me in
spite of myself, and twice again I saw the
same thing. thought I must be going mad.
When the day appeared I felt that was
cured and slept soundly until noon.
1t was over-weU over. had had fever,
nightmare, I know not what. had been i'll.
But considered that had acted very fool
ishly.
was very gay all that day. I dined in
restaurant; went to the theatre. Finally
started for home; but on approaching the
house feeling of uneasiness took possession
of me. was afraid Of seeing him again
not afraid of him, not afraid of his presence,
in which I did not believe, but afraid of a re-
newed trouble of my eyes, afraid of the hal
lucination.
For more than an hour wandered aim
lessly up and down the streets; then, ashamed
of my weakness, finally entered the house. I
was breathing SO hard that l could with diff
Guilty mount the stairs. halted again on the
landing outside my door, for more than ten
minutes. Then, in burst of courage, un-
locked the door and dashed forward, candle
in hand pushed the half open door with my
foot and cast startled glance toward the
fireplace. I saw nothing.
What relief What joyl What deliv-
erancel I went and came about the rooms
with jaunty air. But 1 did not feel reas-
sured. I turned with sudden starts; the
shadow in the corners disquieted me.
slept ILL., constantly Weakened by imagin-
airy noises But did not see him. No. 1t
was ended
Since that day am afraid-alone at night.
feel it there, near me, about me-the vision.
1t has never appeared to me again. And
what does it matter, moreover, since do not
believe in it, since l know that it is nothinga
1t harasses me, though, for I think of it
increasingly. A hand hanging down on the
right the head leaning to the left, like that
of man asleep. Enough, in Gods
namel I will think of it no longerl But
what is the meaning of this obsession? Why
this persistencya
He haunts nett is folly, but so tits Whos
Hell I know that he does not exist; that is
nothing! He exists only in my apprehension,
in my fear, in my anguish!
But may reason with myself, upbraid my
self, in vain. can no longer remain at home
alone, for he is there. I shall never see him
again, I know He will not show himself
again; that is ended.
But he Is there all the same, in my thoughts.
He remains invisible; that does not prevent
his being there.
He is behind the DOORS in the closets, I'M
der the bed, in every obscure corner, in every
shadow. If I turn the doors, if l open the
closets, if throw the light under the bed, if
illumine the corners, the shadows, he is no
longer there; but, then, feel that he is be-
hind me. I turn, certain, however, that 1
shall not see him, that I shall never see him
again. He is none the less behind me still.
It is foolish, but it Is atrocious. What
would youa I can do nothing.
But if there were two of us, I feel, yes-I
feel certain that he would no longer be there.
For he Is there because I am alone-solely
because am alone!-Translated for The Ar
gonaut from the French Of Guy de Maupas-
SAINT bV III c. R.