Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1890-11-20
THE WOMAN IN BLACK.
Strange Tale OF Midnight Spec
ter in Paris

It was IN Paris, during the summer OF
1880. that heard the little aneodote
which am about 70 relate.
OF course l had been attracted there,
like every American who could tear
himself away from business, by the ex-
position in the French capital What
moment would be more propitious for
the long expected trip abroad than the
time when Paris, the great cosmopolitan
city, was celebrating the anniversary Of
the blood event that shook Q yery throne
in Europe?
Marvellous, indeed. was the scene that
surrounded me that evening had
wandered at random from the Troca-
dero. with its flashing colonades and
towers, TO the central DOME with its
Wreaths Of light and transparent roof;
from the gigantic tower which multi
tude of lights had turned into a mOnu-
ment of red-hot iron towering a thou
sand feet overhead. to the more dark
and picturesque colonial exhibit, where,
lost among the trees, one could find
African villages, Indian temples, and
Siamese theaters, IN which the actors
strutted around shrieking under their
masks like so many wildcats.
At last the closing time had come; ii
was eleven o'clock. A long, dense line
OF policemen. starting az one end of the
grounds, pushed their way in the di-
rection of the opposite exit sweeping
in front Of them the few remaining
visitors
Not feeling sleepy, yet not caring to
follow the crowd, | sauntered leisurely
along by the river. Presently a soldier
overlook me, and tipping his small, red
cap asked for light l held out my
cigar, and undertook TO air what little
French ! knew. In the conversation
that followed I heard from the young
officers lips the story Of the woman in
black.
Il was about 9 month ago, but re-
member It as IL IL were yesterday, that
the sergeant called out to me to re-
lieve the sentry outside Being new
recruit, and tired with the days work,
l did not hear, and It was not until be
had cursed and sworn BY every saint
In the calendar that | recovered my
senses sufficiently to pick up my gun
and button my coat to face the stormy
night II was nearly twelve o'clock.
the sky was black as ink, and the rain
poured down steadily In very UNI
promising manner. A high wind. which
was blowing 1t in clouds through the
streets, made the position stil more IN
comfortable
After getting ny instructions from
the man whose place | was 20 take. I
made FOR the sentrv-box, fully decided
not 20 venture forth from its shelter.
Once there I began 70 examine the 20
sition, AID glanced through the small
window up and down the street There
was not a soul 70 be seen. the lamp
overhead swung 70 and fro in the wind.
creaking dismallv, and trying "a best
% spread ia light along the vet and
deserted thoroughfsre. On each slde
the old houses. with their greenish
walls arose grim and somber in the
darkness. Away of IN the distance
could be hesrd the confused rumble q
time Of night but The distant sounds
only seemed - increase the silent lone
illness oftbe quarter that vas 20 watch
Until daylight
Having nothing else - do, ard know
inT how unlikely Sc pss that snvhcdv
would disturb me-, 6lled pipe and be-
gan 80 smoke. In order - keep awsys
more easily Of course. a nan viii
thi on s1ch occaslons snd ny
thoughts carried re far away 90 NJ
home in a uttle Southern rillsro. 1
made endless comparisons between MP
oia life sn5 vhss bad - expeot sa-fag
the next three years The resuis
need hardly ssg. Vas iar from satterin~
FOR the con- say's mess sad nizht dEl y
in stormy weather
How long I hai teen meiitatinT I
rouIa badly tell. Be- seemed ike hcarS
bus va probably uot ovsr shirtY min-
utes- A. AZ even - Wben j hsppe nes
e. look Cd saw some enc dova tke
s-reet shoat tro hlocks aTay. Nasar-
ally watched - see ~hicb ~ the
person sas waking. - IN seca So sg8s