The McCook tribune., 1891-01-23

cleaned like string of silver under the
moonlight. Lights in happy homes
twinkled like fire-fies through the
gloom of dense woods, giving just that
touch of life needed to break the solem-
nifty of forest and mountain.
The moon was up, nature awoke, a
breeze swept by bearing the music of
tumbling brook, the melody of murmur-
ing pines, the love notes of a belated
bird singing to his mate.
How long had slept / can not tell,
when suddenly was wide-awake with
the room brilliantly Lit and presenting
an appearance totally different to what
it had done when retired. On a side
board were half-emptied bottles and de-
canters. and at table four men were
seated deeply engrossed over a game at
cards. Great as was my astonishment
to find my apartment thus invaded,
seemed to lose all personal considera-
tions in watching the feverish anxiety
of the players, and in wondering what
would happen next.
Suddenly their voices were raised in
anger, one Of the players accused an
other of cheating, and in moment
there was general uproar. The two
men were struggling desperately to-
gether, glasses were upset, chairs were
overturned and then caught the glitter
of knife and the gleam of a pistol
The two spectators made no attempt to
separate the combatants, although it
was evident that 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 fired; there was the dull thud
of a heavy body falling and then, over
come with horror, l lost consciousness.
How / attracted their attention | do
not know, but suddenly 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-
ments was compressed the agony of
years of torture.
''She is sound asleep" said one, ''an'
anyhow 1 never did take kindly to
KILN women"
the second significantly.
''That dead men tell no tales is just
as true and truer of women" said the
third, $50 I had better make it safe,
laying as he spoke a murderous hand
on my throat.
With desperate effort 1 broke
through the spell of horror that had
held me; 1 struck out wildly and en-
countered soft resisting body, the
lights were extinguished as opened my
eyes, and nothing remained but the
sound as of some one hurriedly re-
treating.
I never knew till that moment what
vast amount of stored shrieking force
small woman possesses; mine was
sufficient in an incredibly short time to
bring to my room the doctor, the
satellite, Jane Sabina and half a i
dozen guests, none of whom were re-
markable for the careful finish of their
dress.
With graphic power that has en-
tirely deserted me, Or / should make
my fortune as story writer, related
what had occurred.
''It does not matter whether l was
asleep or awake in regard to what /
sac, although of course l was awake;
but I know I heard something hurry
away, and know that felt something
when 1 struck" said in conclusion,
pausing only through sheer physical in
ability to utter another word.
Sabina Jane incoherently remarked |
to the effect that it was
"just what she'd expected of them
nasty ghostesses" and then in company
with the majority of my visitors dis
The doctor looked puzzled |
and remained silent, the satellite how
ever spoke; he was never voluble per-
son, but on this occasion he confined |
himself to one word.
"Ratsr'
''Do you really think it-they-was
rats?" gasped, growing ungrammati-
cal in my confusion.
Had not felt we'll assured that the
doctor was deeply impressed by my
ghostly visitation should have said
that he smiled, but that of course was
at such moment. Some
people have noticed are afflicted with
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
modest, self-deprecatory way, as if his
feelings were too much for him.
81 will bring Mrs. Morris to remain
with you until you DRESS" said the
doctor, "and then you had better take
q sedative and share her room; to-mor-
row will have a thorough investiga-
ton made and if I find that any one is
srying to perpetuate a stupid story by
playing still more stupid practical
iole, I'll"
At this point the doctors voice sank
md although his remarks appeared to
gain additional energy, am under the
they were not intended for
ny ears or for publication.
The result of the investigation showed
hat my nocturnal visitors were rats, a
small colony of which had evidently en-
Dyed undisputed possession of a spring
mattress for considerable period. And
20 the ghost of Bracing Hall was laid,
out the oldest part was the satellites
,uessing it; for such man it was quite
and showed great natural
,erspicacity; the moment he heard my
tory, when every one else was quite at
ea, he looked at the doctor and said: