Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-09-09

tramp, they ascendesl in regular steps. A deep groan burst forth from the hall | above-then. receding gradually into the old part of the house, the terrified listeners heard yells, shrieks, cries and prayers for mercy, laughter and pistol shots.
 God be merciful to us!" gasped the mother. II dare not leave this room. o Helen, what dreadful news for you and me does this night bring?"
 The hours dragged on till the dawn, while these poor distressed ones sat there together. Before the welcome light of the new day came, the candle burned out and left them for half an hour in the darkness. So helpless were they now from fear that neither dared to look for another and light 1t. At last Helen summoned resolution enough to go again to 8 window, raise the curtain, open the sash and throw wide the blinds. The blessed light of day poured into the room; in the joy of their relief, both fell upon their knees and offered silent prayer.
 A rap at the door disturbed them.
 "Are you awake Mrs. Willisp-are you and your daughter alive?"
 It was the voice of Louis Hunter, shaking with excitement and agita- ton.
 The door was unfastened to him. he came in, looking haggard, exhausted. sleepless. He stared wildly at the women.
 ''Excuse me-Ive come to bid you an abrupt farewell, he said. Nothing could tempt me to remain an hour longer in this cursed house. I should have fled in the night had dared"
 He turned to go. In the hall he stopped and looked back.
 "Did you see them?" he whispered, glancing fearfully up the stairs
 I've heard the horrible noises; that was enough" Mrs. Willis said. "Pray don't talk of it! Goodbye, sir; Helen and will leave here at once."
 Mot talk. of it." he cried. 'No, I would not-to any one but you. I've seen that in the night which has turned mems hair white, and made the strong man chattering idiot. o, Heaven!- O, God, blot it out from my memoryr'
 He put his hands over his face, and shuddered.
 Spare us!' cried the mother. 'sGo in peace"
 Il can not go till I have told you; it would be cruel to keep you in ignorance of what these horrible things mean. You must know; you must be prepared for the news that is on it's way to you"
 The poor woman stood rigid as a statue, staring at him, held up from falling only by the arms of Helen.
 II heard the awful noises all through the night" he went on. They chilled my blood with terror. ! fear not man, but l lay covering with alright at the demons from another world. At last, when for an hour there had been a Hull in the hellish revels, became bold enough to open my 0oor and look out into the hall. Horror of horsOrs! l saw light coming up the stairs. heard the footfalls of the man who car 1led ft; 1t was ships lantern, held high up at arms length, as if the bear CT wished to make sure of the way. 1 fell back into the chamber; the hideous thing followed me. He stopped at the stand. and laid something upon it. Then he looked at me with the ghastly face and dull eyes of the dead. He looked at me. and pointed at the ob- ject which he had placed upon the stand. looked that way, and I saw that it was great seal-ring. He made the circuit of the room slowly, examining everything in it; then he