Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-29

It had done when 7 retired. TN side-
board were haH-emptied bottles and de-
canters, and at table four men were
seated deeply engrossed over game at
cards. Great as was my astonishment
to find my apartment thus invaded, I
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 ---~--- -aised In
anger, one of the players ,cused an
other of cheating, and in q 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 CLEAN Of q pistol.
The two spectators made no attempt to
separate the combatants, although Il
was evident that q 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 heavy body falling and then, over
come with horror, lost consciousness.
How 1 attracted their attention I 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 terribls mo-
ments was compressed the agony Of
years of torture.
''She is sound asleep" said one, 'an'
anyhow never did take kindly TO
KILN women"
"She has seen the deed done" said
the second significantly.
THAT dead men tell no tales Is lust
as true and truer Of women" said the
third, 80 1 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-
countered 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
vast amount of stored shrielxing force
a 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
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, 1 related
what had occurred.
1T does not matter whether was
asleep or awake in regard to what I
sac, although Of course was awake;
but know / heard something hurry
away, and know that felt something
when struck" / said in conclusion,
pausing only through sheer physical In
ability to utter another word.
Sabina Jane incoherently remarked
something to the effect that It was
''tust what she'd expected Of them
nasty ghostesses'' 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 a 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 1 not felt well assured that the
doctor was deeply impressed by my
ghostly visitation I should have said
that he smiled, but that 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
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, land then you had better take
a sedative and share her room; tO-mor-
| row 1 will have thorough investiga-
ton made and if find that any one is
trying to perpetuate 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
impression they were not intended for
my ears or for publication.
The result of the investigation showed
that my nocturnal visitors were rats,
small colony of which had evidently en-
joyed undisputed possession of a spring
mattress for considerable period And
so the ghost of Bracing Hall was laid,
but the oldest part was the satellites
guessing 1t; for such man it was quite
remarkable, and showed great natural
perspicacity; the moment he heard my
story, when every one else was quite at
sea, he looked at the doctor and said:
Rats. MARY Hasbrouck, in brakes
Magazine.
Weight of the Earth.