The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1891-01-31

The two spectators made no attempt Ia
separate the combatants, although II
was evident that a tragedy was immi.
nent. The taller of the two freed his
hand from the others grasp, the long
murderous looking knife was uplifted,
but as it descended the other raised. his
pistol and fred; there was the dull thud
of a heavy body falling and then, over.
come with horror. | lost consciousness.
How | attracted their attention l do
not know, but suddenly I became aware
that the remaining three were standing
over me calmly discussing my proposed
death: my blood seemed to freeze in
my veins and into those terrible mo-
mcnts was compressed the agony OF
years of torture.
she is sound asleep" said one, can
anyhow l never did take kindly to
KILN women"
"She has seen the deed done" said
the second significantly.
That dead men tell no tales is Just
as true and truer of women said the
third. $50 ! had better make it safe"
laying as he spoke a murderous hand
on my throat.
With a desperate effort / broke
through the spell of horror that had
held me; | struck out wildly and en-
countercd a soft resisting body, the
lights were extinguished as ! opened my
eyes, and nothing remained but the
sound as of some one hurriedly re-
treating.
never knew till that moment what
n vast amount of stored shrieking force
a small possesses; mine was
sufficient in an incredibly short time to
bring to my room the doctor, the
satellite, Jane Sabina and half Il
dozen guests. none of whom were re-
markable for the careful finish of their
dress.
With a graphic power that has en-
tirely deserted me. or ! should make
my fortune as a story writer. | related
what had occurred.
1T does not matter whether | was
asleep or awake in regard to what
sJW. although of course | was awake;
but | know ] heard something hurry
away. and | know that | felt something
when | struck" | said in conclusion.
p%ausing only through sheer physical in
ability Ia utter another word.
Sahina Jane incoherently remarked
something to the effect that it was
Just what she'd expected of them
nasty ghostesScs' and then in company
with the majority of my visitors dis
appeared. The doctor looked puzzled
and remained silent, the satellite how
ever spoke: he was never Il volublc per-
son, but on this occasion he confined
himself TO M word.
Rats"
DO you really think it-they-was
rats" | gasped, growing ungrammati-
cal in my confusion.
Had | not felt well assured that the
doctor was deeply impressed by my
that he smiled. but hat of course was
impossible at such a moment. Some
people | have noticed are afflicted with
muscular twitching and when ! glanced
AT him again he was as solemn as a
sphinx: even the satellite put his hand
before his mouth and coughed in a
modest. self-deprecatory way. as if his
feelings We're too much for him.
Il will bring Mrs. Morris to remain
with You until you dress" said the
doctor. and then You had better take
IL scdative and share her room: to-mor-
row | will have a thorough investiga-
ton made and if | find that any one is
trying to perpctuate a stupid story by
playing a still more stupid practical
joke. I'll"
At this point the doctors voice sank
and although his remarks appeared to
gain additional energy. | am under the
they were not intended for
my ears or for publication.
The result of the investigation showed
that my nocturnal visitors were rats, a
small colony of which had evidently en-
ioyed undisputed possession of a spring
for Il considerable period. And
:" the ghost of Tracing Hall was laid,
but the oldest part was the satellites
guessing it; for such a man it was quite
and showed great natural
pcrspicacity: the moment he heard my
when every one else was quite at
sea, he looked at the doctor and said:
''Rats."-Mary Ilasbrouck, in Drake't
Magazine.