New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-05
A WEIRD STORY.

WHAT HAPPENED ON DRIVING TOUR.
An English officer relates this weird and most un-
canny story One Of his relatives received the follow
ing prescription from her physician: Take carriage
and your maid he said and go somewhere for a
driving tour Live ont of doors and do not get tired"
following his advice she started for trip through the
prettest part OF Devonsre, stopping at the different
inns en- route. After delightful week there came
an unlucky day when everything went wrong. The
weather was bad, one horse became lame some part
of the harness gave way, and it not until very
late hour that they arrived at the nearest village
At the inn mine host full Of apologies. Every
room was filed, he said, "every One.' The lady pro-
tested that she was ILL., that she could not 90 step
further. 81 will sleep anywhere" she said but
must stay tonight" Finally an idea seemed to strike
the landlord and he hustled away returning In rev
minutes he suggested an expedent. lady, ne ssid'
had arrived little while before, and the only room
he could give her was large od-fashoned apartment
on the first floor. There were two large beds In the
room and he had inquired If she would allow the last
arrival to occupy the vacant one. She was quite
willing said the landlord, to share her room, ana le
heroine of our story glad enough to obtain any resi-
ine-place was shown TO 1t at once. The original oo
cupant was very tired, explained the houseReeper
and had gone directly to bed on her arrival having
had her supper served afterward on tray. She was
awake however, when they entered ana hs1enea
courteously to the others thanks, declaring nersen
pIeased TO be of service by one or two ponte htue
calculations in the midst of the astcomers eNpaha-
tions-"I am very pleased "Not at ALL very glad
N oblgen and them If tired she turned over u ~
% sleen. "My aunto said the officer who was reIat
inc the story told the housekeeper that she wlSheo
Cor nothing hut cup Of tea and would retire at once
Tooo.hor with her maid she arranged her affairs for
tbe night Couldn't sleep on the floor. MADAM !"
wbIsp~ed the faithful Abigail, al don't like 10 leave
Won here alonep Nonsense Sarah, l will be all
light said her mistress. "Come TO me carly "lth
my tea. Good night"
nTbe rest of the story said the offcer, after an
impressive pause was told to us year or so pa'er
Inv nv aunt herself after her recovery from long ana
dangerous illness After Sarah left her she locked
the door and proceeded with her toilette eu0dehly
and most inexpllcably she felt nervous fancy ui"'
she was watched and she turned quickly "iu Ia
voluntarily to the opposite bed The occupant Id"
certainly turned over but she was quite quiet anu dp
parently asleep How silly Of me to feel uhcomiorS
able said my aunt to herself, endeavorns 10 SaAe on
the feeling as she busted herself with her preparations
Cor the night Again the nervous dread came over
her without any volon her part, and again turh'
ing quickly, she found it this time no haluclnauoh
the lady in the opposite bed was quietly ana per
slstently watching her. 1T is natural enough mat
she should open her eyes, said the poor lazy 10 hc
self still unaccountably terrified; and then she eaau
aloud in apparently careless tone, III Is really very
good of yOu to give ne a shelter for the night am
no reply still lying with wide open eyes fixed on my
aunt who stood paralyzed with terror.
For slowly and noiselessy the creature stu WIN
her eyes fixed with settled stare, was reaching ouo
over the table with her long arm, cropping mere anu
there rs If in search of something She FOUND IL az
las-lt was the knife on her tray. My aunt saw inc
figure rise up in the bed andshe remembers no more
In the morning the maid brought the yea cary a.
directed. The door was locked and she was SItatlB
frightened TO hear the strangest noSeS-ke me oau'o
Ing Of mad monkey, she described ~ aiter S,
Terrified beyond measure she new Tor tne h door
who, with couple OF his men, forced open thG noo
There on the very top of an enormous 0e mr n
wardrobe, with smooth glazed doors, was my w
fortunate aunt In her night dress covering anu H.
bering and making the strange chatennG noises mat
had alarmed the maid. ON her race WaS inc
vacant stare Of an IDIOT Below her vita wld' dis
hevelled locks and white gown eapeq the mahac MIL
nolSeess bounds, waving the knife with terrioio
gestures. " =,
How my aunt ever reached the top OF that I'm m
possbie heght, concluded tle q pios s1ovcd and
on her recovery she remembered no more than nave
told YOU. Her terrible roommate had Deen SUBJECT
we were told afterward, fits of dementla sut hsd
never been violent and had not beeh placed unIg[
restraint Her disease, however, assumed nom uls
period an acute form and her case Is now SnIuuseu
hopeless"