Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1892-03-28

so just slipped into my coat and pre-
pared TO go to the warehouse.
~tNein! neini Du must nicht Da
must Ricllt" he implored, and saw by
the dying candle that he was actually in
tears
II persisted. however, and he threw
himself desperately before the door His
herculean height lowered above me. but
more than matched him in breadth.
and easily put him aside.
Il passed out. and. as had expected.
he followed. but whether from devotion
to me or the fear of being left alone in
the shop, who shall say? You see the
candle had burned down. and low. con.
tinuous growl in the southwest told of a
coming storm.
Our goal was near; we were soon
there. AS pushed open the door Jo-
hann had neglected to fasten, felt his
breath on my cheek, his hand on my
shoulder. He was in such tremor that
iis touch thrilled, as it were, my entire
being, and | still shuddered after | had
shaken myself free.
The room before us was eighty feet OF
more in depth. and appeared gloomy
even at MONDAY, being lighted but by
single window in front. 1t now yawned
MS black as a dungeon, as silent as death.
We hesitated at the threshold; then
Johann's quick breath suddenly ceased,
and at the same instant l beheld huge
rye glaring at us wickedly from remote
corner.
"Sinbad's giant whispered Clarence.
"Polyphemus, Bessie echoed.
Both nestled closer. Uncle Dave went
IN.
II felt queer, there was no denying it.
But thought |, If, as Tom Campbell
says, distance'Iends enchantment, then
view at close range must clear up the
mystery advanced.
"The eye moved as though to meet me
half way. / halted involuntarily and
glanced back. Johann still stood in
the doorway; | could dimly trace the
upper portion Of his giant figure thrust
through the aperture. He was evidently
spell-bound. Turning, | grasped my
courage in both hands. so to speak, and
again started forward. The eye changed
its tactics. Cleaning Indignantly, it be-
gan now to move slowly from side to
side; back and forth, back and forth,
like restless wild beast in its cage.
Clarence's hand slid into that of his
uncle.
"As the space narrowed between us,
the latter continued, "the eye became
fixed, then gradually sank down, down,
as though its invisible owner were crouch
L al
olute, raised instinctively a protecting
arm. then. ashamed. let it drop by my
side AS did so, the apparition shot up
with incredible swiftness, and /, tripping
III a loose plank, measured my length
On the floor, striking as ] fell pile of
boxes adjacent, and slightly gashing my
head.
Il regained my feet in a moment,
Johann had fed. My courage had now
risen, and clutching a crowbar that
chanced to stand within reach, was
ready for anything
"The evil genius confronting me was
no longer an eye; near view had dis
PEELED that illusion. 1t was too large, to
begin WITH and lacked color. 1t looked
CHASTITY.
"Its activity, however, left little doubt
of its being alive. True, the dread object
had not pursued me, had scarcely ven
tured as yet beyond its lair; but it
seemed to be fully aroused, and glided
.stealthily this way and that felt sure
it meditated an immediate attack.
II resolved to be first. Setting my
teeth, and swinging aloft my club of iron,
bore down on the foe.
MY action was the signal for a new
freak on its part, more strange, more APP
palling, than anything that had yet trans
pired. 1t now began revolving with
amazing velocity, round and round,
round and round, in ever contracting
circles.
"My heart beat like death-watch the
moisture drenched my brow; but on, on
| / strobe, and faster, faster it flew.
"The crisis had come, and-whiz!-
straight at my head! struck savagely.
missed. lodged; lurid light was about
me; yell"
Here a great crash drowned Uncle
panic-stricken.
| whats thatf they cred. linen,
Bessie. reproachfully, "Uncle Dayel did
you kick over those library stepss"
Clarence sat up with jerk.
Its a sell !" he calculated. @Bnt the
evil genius. the apparition, the eyel
What was it, uncle:"
@Punk, Uncle Dave answered
@Punkl"
"Punk; your father had stumbled on
rare piece in the woods, aud not finding
| the wild turkies, hastened home 10 make
game of two precious geese.
"And Herr Boltz, did he never come
back?" queried Bessie.
Comeback he was back in less than
ten minutes, with half the town at his
| heels. Poor felIow!" added Uncle Dave,
retrospectively. "The nickname of Punk
stuck to him until 40. when, with many
another, he was carried off by the Cali
/ fornia fever.
So papa was Satan, Clarence unused.
@Look here, my boy, objected Uncle
Dave, :" didn't say that. Come to think
of it, though, the theory accounts for
! your being so impish.
Clarence sprang from the sofa, righted
the steps, and turned up the light.
"Come, uncle, he coaxed, lets play
tiddledy winks