Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-10-23
THE MUMMY'S TALE.
Ely l.. BOND MASON.

windows in such fierce gusts that Jack |
and decided to spend the evening in |
our den.
I'll read you that odd manuscript |
was telling you about, said Jack, as he
began rumnaging in an old cabinet
"You know found it in one of those
little hair trunks at the homestead in
Norwich. All. here it is" he said
moment later, showing me queer look
ing portmanteau; and taking out some
faded yellow sheets, he held them up to
view.
begot myself in an easy posture and
lighted my meerschaum. while Jack az
ranged the sheets in order.
"Only part of it is here; the first page
is missing. Well. this is the way it
goes. He cleared his throat and read
as follows:
$50 do not think seriously Of this,
Vervinsa, for perhaps was only dream
ing, but promised that you should be
acquainted with your odd story at my
death l will record it as first wrote
it 40 years ago.
IL was living in Boston at that time,
and was on the staff of one of the city
papers, Besides this, pursued my other
literary work, which altogether brought
me quite modest salary. With this
could indulge my taste for furnishing
my apartments in the romantic way l
hadthem, and also add to my library.
"Your father and | had been great
friends until he proved q Benedick.
when, as natural result, we saw less of
each other. On his wedding day he sent
me a mummy that had often admired
for its wonderful state of preservation,
with note stating that would have no
cause for lonely hours, as ! could always
enjoy the society of that charming
Egyptian lady. 1t was at that time your
father painted that ideal head which
made him so famous in four continents.
Late one evening, about a year after,
grew tired of reading, and tossing my
book ON the table stretched myself on
the divan and INDUCED in my customary
smoke. had only taken q puff or two
before ] felt the influence of a pair of
magnetic eyes on me, coming from the
direction of the mummy. Turning my
surprise was so great as to literally
paralyze all my faculties, except sight
and hearing. For there before me stood
an Egyptian girl of most wonderful
beauty. She smiled at my fright, and
then stepping nearer, spoke in the low
sweet tones that none but you, my dear
WIFE have ever equaled
"'You are frightened, Gregory she
said, rs the smile deepened into a laugh.
Hear my story We lOveu-ah, how
we loved! Three thousand years have
passed since then, and during that time
it has grown. You have forgotten; yes,
like us all in the mortal state. We live
but for the present time, and forget all
the wretched terrible past. You were
my lover then, but now you do not know
me. Listen, Gregory, while tell you Of
my crime She moved one step nearer.
"'We were soon to be welded. We
were equals in the spiritual sense, but
alas! not so in the mortaPs idea. W.
both had but one more life on earth
when we would have left forever thi
wicked world. How weak we become
when clothed in the flesh. The earthly
vanity which thought had conquered
overcame me, and fell. Your love wa
forgotten in the luxury that wealth cal
give. and which thought l enjoyed
She stopped moment and wiped til
tears from her face.
"'You lost all faith in man; you, you
my dear Thothmes, now my Gregory, yo
murdered the man who had ruined on
happiness. We have both suffered lon
imprisonment for our crimes. You a
last are free, and will leave forever thi
cruel planet on your death. But I-ol
my Thothmes free me; you, and you onl
can do so. Tomorrow, at early morn
your friend Monsieur Duvafs wife give
birth to a daughter Let me be tina
daughter. When the first streaks of da
are stealing across the city take the hear
that is wrapped within those bindings
and she pointed to the now tenantles
case, cast it into the fire. burn it o
your hearthstone, and l will once MOI
he free. Fail, and l shall be forevt
doomed to this living torture until te
last hour of recorded time. Oh, M
Thothmes, hear me! promise you vii
Yes, and then we'll we'd and drift to IL
higher bodies together. Promise, prom
ase, my Thothmes, promise!
She stepped back to the case, and
stared in my spellbcund way saw Il
snow white linen and the delicate p,rp
grow misty and dull as it once more a
sumed the shape of the mummy wra
pings. The beautiful ivory face BEGAN
dark and thin, and the eyes lost all tn,
luster.
But only hear my story, and your frie
and amazement will give place to pit
Her face assumed an earnest pathei
expression.
"'For 5000 years, Gregory. Ihave be
waiting for this time tospeak. For sc
years have been doomed to haunt ,
own mausoleum. Unable, like oil
sinful ones, to hover around the livi
world. was bound by the heaviness
my crime to play about the bodies Of
friends and ancestors. None, none |