The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-02-28

terror the old lawyer sprang to his feet and
tried to call John. His throat and lips
were so parched that they could make no
sound. He tried once, he tried twice
With mind and body both paralyzed he
stood there unable to speak or move.
Suddenly the great old clock in the cor
ner chimed out the hour loud and clear.
1t struck TO- Then, gasping and quiver-
ing, the Sergeant found his voice.
'John," he called out hoarsely, "I think
heard knock at the door. See if there's
any one there
"Yes, sir, responded Johns voice.
The Sergeant heard the old clerk come
out of his room and open the door. A
moment afterward he came into the sitting
room.
"No, sir, he said, there's no one
there"
"Thank you,' answered the old lawyer,
trying vainly to control the trembling of
his voice. 81 must have been mistaken"
Another night passed. night of terror
and agony for the old lawyer. His nerves
had got thoroughly unstrung and he could
not sleep or rest. Once, worn out with
fatigue, he had dozed for moment in his
chair. In that moment fearful vision
came before his sleeping eyes Ills dead
son as he had seen him, stark and cold,
rose up before him. The phantom, though
dead, was alive. for it raised its cammy
hand and pointed reproaehfully at him.
He awoke with scream of terror, which
brought the trembling clerk hurrying into
the room.
During the following day Sergeant
Stronge recovered some of his old strength
and calmness. This was caused partly by
the good news he heard and partly by the
good act he did. He heard that his sons
widow was progressing favorably, and that
now there was great hope of her ultimate
recovery. He gave directions that every
care and comfort that money could secure
should be given TO her. Then he did what
appeared to him now in the light OF an act
of reparation. He executed will in favor
of his sons widow and child. Savee on
thousand pounds given to his clerk and
five hundred given to his laundress, all his
immense fortune he bequeathed for their
benefit
His calmness, however, was not so strong
as to be quite proof against any trial. As
night approached so much of his old nerv-
business and terror came back upon him as
to make him think it wise to request John
again to stop overnight at his chamber.
Again the old lawyer seated himself be
fore the fire, and again, as the hour Of 10
approached he watched the great old clock.
But this time he had his nerves under
better control than before He felt deeply
excited, it is true, but his will, strong once
more, kept the excitement in check. He
was resolved that he should not, that night,
let any delusions of his imagination run
away with his reason.
He watched the clock with close attea-
ton. Gradually the minute hand made
the revolution of the dial; his excitement
grew as it approached the hour. It was
now ten minutes to ten. 1t was now five
mnutes-now four-now three-now two.
"Tap, tap, tap" sounded suddenly from
the outside door He heard the knocking
clearly and distinctly.
For moment or two the old lawyers
terror was too much for him. He stood
where he had sprung up when the tirst
knock sounded, motionless and trembling,
| Then, with a last desperate effort of his
iron will, he threw off his weakness.
"I'n be a coward no longer" he muttered
to himself 'I'll show myself that this
sound is the creation of my own imagina-
: tion."
Nerving himself with mighty effort he
left the room and walked down the corridor
to the door. As he put out his hand to
, open it the great old clock in the corner
=. chimed out loud and clear 1t struck ten.
E As its last peal sounded through the
chamber the old clerk heard & scream of
widest terror, and the sound of a body
falling. Rushing ont of his room he found
the Sergeant lying in the corridor opposite
n the open door.
a Frightened half out of his wits, John
, lifted his masters head. To his horror
and amazement the old lawyer was dead.