Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-05

anything, or at least said so, anyhow, was
glad to believe that my excited Imagination
was the real cause. We were still leaning
out of the window in silence, when several
of the trees, especially the one which had
imagined had seen the shape, were most
violently agitated, as though BY mighty
wind; but we felt not the slightest breath
on our faces. At the same instant we heard
a subdued shutting sound in the room be-
hind us, which seemed to come from the
direction of the chimney. But neither of
us referred to it as we slowly walked back
to the fire and took up our places on either
side of the two chairs, which were at the best
very rickety. :.
"It isn't wise to leave the window open, I"
said nv friend, suddenly, ''for if there
really is anyone outside, they can see all
and everything we do; while we, for our
part, can see absolutely nothing of what
goes on outside"
agreed, and walked up to the window,
shutting it with bang and firmly drawing
the bolt.
ST brought book" he went on, (which
I thought we might read out aloud in turn
to relieve the dullness and the silence.
He stopped speaking and looked at me,
and at the same moment raised my eyes to
his face To my intense horror and sur
prise 1 noticed for the first time q long
smear of blood, wet and crimson, across his
forehead. NY horror was so great that for
some seconds could not find my tongue,
and sat stupidity staring at him. At last l
gasped out:
"My dear fellow. what has happened to
you, have you cut YOURSELF"
"Where? what do you mean?" he replied,
looking round him with surprise.
For answer took out my handkerchief,
and wiping his brow, sho wed him the red
stains. But as 1 stood there showing him
this proof and as he was expressing his
utter astonishment, distintly saw some
thing that for the moment made the blood
rush from the extremities and crowd into
my head. Something seemed to tighten
round nv heart. 1 saw a large, cleaning
knife and hand disappear into the air in the
direction of the window. 1t was too much;
my nerves failed me, and dropped fainting
to the floor.
When 1 came to myself l was lying where
I fell by the Fireplace. Pelham was sitting
beside me.
81 thought you were dead" he said,
you've been unconsciousfo for over an hour. y
He said this in such a queer manner and
laughed so fendishly that wondered what
had happened to him during the interval.
Had he seen something awful and gone
mad? There was strange light in his dark
eyes and leer on his lip. Just then he
took up his book quite naturally and began
TO read aloud, every now and then he made
a comment on what he was reading, quite
sensibly too, and soon began to think, as
1 slipped my brandy out of our flask, that 1
must had frighttul dream. But there at
my feet lay the blood-stained handkerchief,
and could not get over that. glanced at
his face, the smear had disappeared, and no
scratch or wound was visible.
Pelham had not been reading long, per-
! haps some five or ten minutes, when we
heard a strange noise outside among the
trees, Just audible above the death-like
stiffness of the autumn night. 1t was a con-
fused voice like the low whispering of sew
eral persons, and as / listened, still weak
from the last shock, the blood stood still in
my veins. Pelham went on reading as
usual. This struck me as very curious, for
he must have heard the noise plainly; but I
said nothing, and glancing at him saw the
same light in his eyes and the evil leer on
his mouth, looking ugly in the Pickering
glare of the candles and freight
Suddenly we heard a tremendous noise
outside, altogether drowning the first. The
horses had broken loose and were tearing
wildly past the house. Long and wild neighs
rang out and died away, and we knew our
nOrSeS were gone. Iellnam Was stlll ledu-
ing, and as looked at him a sudden and
horrid thought flashed into my brain. 1t
was this: Had he anything to do " ith this?
Was it possible? Before 1 had time to
answer nv question Pelham threw down
the book and made for the door, locked it,
drew out the key, and opening the window
threw it far away among the trees. then
recognized the awful fact that was alone
with a nadman. 1 glanced at my watch, it
was 12:45 Instead of one hour must have
been unconscious for two at least. This was
terrible in the extreme. He was a man of
far more powerful physique than 1. What
was to be done? Pelham strode grinning
up to the fire, went down on both knees and
commenced blowing between the bars with
all his might. I saw my chance, and quietly
walking to the window, without a word
I climbed out, and letting myself as far
down as nv arms would allow then let go
and dropped. 1t was distance of four or
five feet, but in the darkness tumbled for
ward on my face. As rose, uninjured,
distinctly heard the sound of running feet
close to me, but in my bewilderment could
not make out clearly in which direction
they were going; they only lasted a moment
or two. But what terrific sight met my
gaze as turned the corner of the house
and saw a volume of smoke pouring stead
lily out of the windows and roof of the back
portion of the house. Now and again a
long flame, too, shot up to heaven
"Good God!' 1 cried, "the house is on
fire."
No wonder tie horses had taken fight.
But my poor friend, what could I do for
him? The window was too high for me to
climb in again, and the doors were locked.
In few minutes the flames would spread
to this side of the house and the poor fell
L., ha hr,r % Il
enough sense lett to jump out of the win
dow.
hurried back to the spot where I had letmy-
self down from the window, just in time to see
the last scene ofthe most ghastly experience
1 have ever witnessed. Pelham was stand
ing at the window. In his hand was a red
hot poker, and it was pointed at his throat.
but the strain was too great for my nervous
system and with violent start woke upl
After our heavy tea we had both fallen
asleep, just as we were in our chairs. Pell-
ham was still snoring opposite me, and the
light was stealing in through the window.
1t was morning about $50. All the candles
had burnt themselves out, and it was a won-
der they had not set fire to the drv wood
near them.
Twenty minutes later we had re-lit the
fire and were discussing the remnant of eggs
and coffee. Half an hour later we were
riding home in the bright, crisp, morning
air, and an hour and half later we were
in the middle of a second and far superior
breakfast, during which did not tell nv
dream, but during which we did agree that
it had been the dullest and most uncomiort-
able night we had ever spent away from
home.
Boston stocks.