Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1890-09-25

sentry saw the figure. always coming
from the same spot, always silent, al
ways passing on after the same incom-
prehensible movements. Not one of US
had had the presence Of mind to- stop
the woman and question her.
we had in our company man such
as one finds everywhere, full of life, al
ways laughing, joking, sure to be at the
bottom OF all mischief, always punished
when there were any punishments to be
administered, skeptical, as all such men
are, believing in nothing save his own
wit and bravery. The stories that were
told about the midnight visitor had al
ways drawn d sarcastic smile to his lips,
and he was eternally laughing at the
victims of the woman in black. Catch
him shaking in his boots with fear Of
some facetious grisette who was having
great sport frightening the soldiers out
of their wits!
Finally we grew exasperated, and one
of us broke out:
''Talk is cheap, Richard; you have
not been there yet; yoi may not stand
it any better than the Others"
''Bet would!'
"Bet you five francs you would not
'Taken!'
"When will you try?''
"To-night. Who.is on duty?"
"Leroy.''
Leroy was found, and was more than
willing to exchange guard with Richard.
Both repaired to the sergeant, who, after
listening to their story, told them to do
as they pleased about it. :.
So the matter was settled, and lust
before twelve Richard drew himself to.
gether, shouldered his gun, and m arched
out to his post. What occurred we
learned later, and his tone was very diff
ferent from his usual one. will tell
you the story just as he told us:
II started on my. beat, he said, ':think.
Ing of what was going to happen. / ad:
nit now that 1 did not feel as easy
about the matter as l, had felt before:
The loneliness of the spot was telling
on my mind, and made me rather anx.
ious. Still / resolved to stop the WON
an, if She appeared, ,'and question her
| l could not do otherwise. But tho cor.
ner she always came from looked very
dark and ominous, and altogether, my
feelings were far from pleasant. a
Twelve. o'clock struck in the steeple
of 1eighboring church, and watched
attentively for the apparition. Ate,
watching ten or fifteen minutes saw
| something move in the dark, and :
dread presentiment seemed to clutch my
heart. The woman, appeared, gliding
along as you all saw her; but I knew
that my boasting had. been vain, tina
the. sight affected me more, perhaps
than any of you. was absolutely
panic-stricken, fascinated by the ap
preaching figure, as some poor bird by
the snake that bewilders it with it!
| glance before devouriig it. 1 felt that
ought to run, but could not move
! On she came, nearer and nearer, stop
ping at intervals, till she looked me il
the face; then, uttering wild cry, sh,
sprung forward, and fell, with dag
ger planted up to the hiltsin my side.:
Such was the story Richard told US
few weeks later as he was recovering
from his wound: AS to the woman, sh,
was discovered by the police and pro
nounced mad. have heard rumors t.
the effect that she had been abandoned
that her crime was but a desperat
vengeance. Whether the story wa
| true Or not Richard would never say
! Wayerlv.