Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-10-23

70 look up saw some one QOHn IuO
street about two blocks away. Natur-
ally 1 watched to see which way the
person was walking, for in such solitude
the slightest object becomes interest
ing. was soon able to see that 1t was
a woman, and that she was coming
toward me. / noticed that there was
something strange about her, and re-
member wishing most fervently that
she had been going the other way. Per-
haps my pipe gave me a guilty con-
science; perhaps 1t was some other
feeling; at all events, l watched her as
she came toward me.
She was dressed entirely in black;
long black wrap. with hood over her
head, afforded her little protection
against the rain. She seemed to glide
along noiselessly, stopping every now
and then to look around her. / am not
a coward. but the intense solitude, COM
bined with the bowling of the wind,
the creaking of the lamp and tho mys-
terious movements of the dark creature,
made me feel very uncomfortable.
Still decided to face the danger, if
danger there was, and moved to the
door of the box to wait until the danger
had passed.
Slowly she moved forward until she
was within three or four steps OF me,
then stopped again; her face was in the
shadow and could not distinguish her
features. While l was trying to dis
Germ them she moved suddenly forward
and gave me a searching look in an
other second, before I had recovered
from my surprise, she had passed on
and moved rapidly along the street
without stopping any moro.
The watch passed without further in
cidents, but remember that 1 had no
trouble in keeping awake and was very
thankful to be relieved. told you that
/ was a new recruit at the time, and
dreaded to make myself ridiculous in
the eyes of the company; besides that,
I had lurking idea that the whole
scene might have been plotted for my
benefit l resolved, therefore, to say
nothing about it and see whether any
of my comrades had an encounter with
the mysterious woman. devoutly
hoped that they would, and was not
disappointed.
Night after night the midnight
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 a 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 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 or ew exasperated, and one
of US broke out:
Talk is cheap, Richard; you have
not been there yet; you may not stand
it any better than the Others"
bet wouldr'
''Bet you five francs you would not"
''Takenr'
''When will you try?"
Tonight Who is on duty?"
Leroy"
Leroy was found, and was moro than
willing to exchange guard with Richard. |
Both repaired to the sergeant who, after
to their story, told them to do
as they pleased about it.
So the matter was settled, and just |
before twelve Richard drew himself to-
gether, shouldered his gun, and marched |
out to his post. What occurred we |
learned later, and his tone was very diff !
ferent from his usual one. I will tell |
you the story just as he told us:
81 started on my beat, The said, think !
ing of what was going to happen. lad.
NIT now that did not feel as easy |
about the matter as 1 had felt before. |
The loneliness of the spot was telling |
On my mind, and made me rather anx-
ious. Still resolved TO stop the wom-
an, if she appeared, and question her;
[ could not do otherwise. But the cor
ner she always came from looked very
lark and ominous, and altogether, my
feelings were far from pleasant.
Twelve o'clock struck in the steeple
Of neighboring church, and watched
attentively for the apparttion. After
ten or fifteen minutes saw
something move. in the dark, and a
Tread presentiment seemed to clutch my
heart The woman appeared, gliding
along as you all saw her; but knew
hat my Boosting had been vain, that
The sight affected me more, perhaps,
han any of you. 1 was absolutely
oanic-stricken, fascinated by the ap-
figure, as some poor bird by
,he snake that bewilders it with its
glance before deyouring it felt that
ought to run, but could not move.
On she came, nearer and nearer, stop
ping at intervals, till she looked me in
The face; then, uttering a wild cry, she
sprung forward, and fell, with dag
.er planted up to the hilt in my side"
Such was the story Richard told US
ew weeks later as he was recovering
rom his wound. AS to the woman, she
vas discovered by the police and pro-
mad. 1 have heard rumors to
he effect that she had been abandoned;
hat her crime was but a desperate
vengeance Whether. the story was
rue or not Richard would never say
Naverly.
SsWdust.
Little Daisy Parks ION her first visit
o her country uncle)-Oh, mamma,
What lovely place! Look at that
plendid wide field full of beautiful