Smyrna times., 1890-03-19

Again the curious look had noticed
before came over her face as left the
room with Sophia, who walked before
me with a candle.
We went up a flight of stairs that led
to part of the building which seemed
to be but little used. At the top of these
stairs there was a long narrow passage.
the walls of which were lined with oak
panels. When we got to the end of this
passage we turned to the right and went
a few yards down another and similar
passage, until the servant opened n door
That led into a spacious bedchamber.
Having put the candle on the mantel-
piece, and laid my travelling bag, which
she carried with her, on the floor. she
looked curiously round the room. and
then, when she had hidden me good
night, went out and shut the door. l
felt very nervous as looked about the
apartment, which seemed to be in an un-
inhabited part Of the large house, and
was furnished, thought, in an ANTIQUE
and rather grewsOme manner The lofty
walls, paneled as they were with wood
painted blue, contrasted strangely with
the heavy silk wisiow curtains. which
were of dark red color, and with some
old portraits in oil that hung in massive
oak and ebony frames. The chairs and
tables were all cumbrous and old fash
Toned, and, as to the bed, it almost fright
ened me to think of sleeping in it, so vast
and gloomy did it look with it's hupa
canopy and somber curtains
1t Is not easy to go to sleep at once dur
ing the first night of ones stay in a strange
house, especially if anything has hap.
pened to make the mind uneasy and sus-
plcious. For a long time lay awake
wondering at the curious look had seen
OH Aunt Judith's face, and shivering
now and again, as l thonght how far
away was from the rest of the house.
hold. If were to be taken suddenly i'll.
or if anything were to happen to me
during the night, what could do? There
was bell rope in the room, but had for
gotten to ask Sophia whether it commu-
nIcated with bell, and, if so, whether
there was any one to answer my ring
Isolated asI was in this large and gloomy
chamber, my mind was agitated with
vague fears, and it must have been near
ly two hours before got to sleep.
How long this state lasted | do not
know, when suddenly l awoke. In a
moment was wide awake, staring be-
fore me into the black darkness and list
ening intently to the profound about me.
Why was l doing this? l asked lnvself.
but could not give any answer. Some.
thing must have happened to awake me.
What was it? l wondered. looked and
listened. There was only blackness and
silence.
For many seconds lay thus peering
and listening, and was just on the point
OF shutting my eyes again, when, glaring
at them through the darkness, I saw two
other eyes, and hot on my cheek came
the breath of something-man, or beast.
or monster! drew my head some inches
back; the eyes, to which mine were rivet-
ed, advanced. felt a form bending over
the side Of the bed. Itstopped. The ewes
stopped, the form became motionless. In
the pure agony of the moment-actuated
by that alone-I rose a little in nv bed
and bent my head forward; the form
also rose, and the eyes, which were still
fastened to mine, retreated. AS thev did
30, to my unutterable horror discerned
the outline of human facet
1t was within a few inches of nv own.
and now my eyes, becoming accustomed
TO the darkness, could see that it was
covered with n,Ir lhrrc was q drea
ful glbber-such as might come from &
ape or a dumb man in pain-and befrY
my fascinated gaze flashed two rows
teeth. The creature monste, |
or maniac-was by my side, ready. wait |
ing to spring upon me. Hot upon m, |
face came its breath. while the awful |
eyes shone like the eyes of a tiger. 1t |
was on the spring-to tear me limb from |
limb. Just one thing stayed it. Just |
one thing was keeping off the awful |
death that threatened me. In all the
ecstasy of my terror l comprehended
what that one thing was. It was the
power OF my eyes. I was fighting an
eye battle with the monster.
Into its dreadful eyes gazed, as
though was gazing into the very gates
Of hell. Like the eyes of a wild beast
they seemed ever restlessly pouring forth
tumultuous torrent of passion. and
ever restlessly in search of mine, which
yet they shrank from when thew met
Constantly as they did so there was the
same bideOus, inarticulate gibber of baf-
1ed rage.
Thus some two or three hours at least
must have passed until the daylight be.
gan TO steal in through the curtains.
which were only partly drawn.
When the light came the sight before
me was even more horrible than nv i'm
lgination had conjured in the dark.
Crouching by the side of the large bed,
between the window and me, was a man.
But such a mani A tall man in n flow
ng gown, with long, matted, unkempt
Yellow hair and beard, his face deadly
white, but every muscle in 1t throbbine
n convulsive sympathy with the fires
hat blazed from his wild and awful
'yesl
Minute after minute passed, though
ook no heed of them. All my thought,
" my strength was concentrated into
he one weapon had-my eyes. Still.
felt at last that could not prolong the
'attle much longer. What was to doP
dy strength was giving way. The mon
ter or maniac was becoming more and
more excited, foaming at the lips and
ttering short, sharp cries, while his
ong, cruel fingers worked convulsively,
though ey were impatient to be ON
heir prey.
So long as / could ward him off with
ny eyes, he dared not approach me
carer; directly, through faintness, / I
ropped them, he would fall upon me
no tear me to pieces. My strength was :
DING. A look Of exultation came upon
is face. The daylight had lasted for a
ing time Oh, Godl would no one ever
omea ] could hold out no longer. His c
lare of triumph increased. NY ewes
Tere getting dim. His face was getting
carer and more exulting.
1t seemed as though another snirit G.
ama anddrnIp fn4c -. -