Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1892-09-22

Tor o moment 10 DreaCne. i neaI'
the creature beneath me painting
in the darkness, and felt the vic
lent throbbing of a heart. 1
was apparently as exhaused as
I was, rhat was one comfort. Al
this moment i remembered thai
I usually placed under my pillow
before going to bed,a large. yellow
silk pockethandkerehief. I fell
for it instantly; it.swas there. III
q few seconds more = had, after
afashion, .pinioned The creature Z
arms.
I now sfslt tolerably secure
There was: nothing more to be
done but to turn on the gas, and
having first seen what my mid
night assailant was like; arouse
the household. I will confess tt
being actuated by certain pride
in not giving the alarm before:
wished to make the capture alone
and nnaided.
Never loosing my hold for an
instant, I slipped from the bed tt
the floor, dragging my captive
with me. I had but a few steps
to make the reach the gas-burner
these I made with the Creates
caution, holding the creature in
grip like a wise. At last I got with.
in arms length f.the. tiny speck
of blue light, which told me whe1e
the gas-burner lay. Quick as
lightning I released my grasp with
one hand and let on the full food
of light. Then I turned to look
at my captive.
I cannot even attempt to give
any definition of my sensations
the instant after I turned on the
gas. I suppose I must have shrkied
with terror, for in less than a
minute after ward my room was
crowded with the'inmates of the
house. I shudder now as I think
of that awful moment. 1 saw no.
thing! Yet; 1 had one arm firmly
clasped round {. breathing, painting
corporeal shape, my other hand
with all its. strength a
throat as warm, and apparently
aeslIl sand etWith
this living substance in my grasp,
with'its body pressed against my
Own, and all in the bright glare of
3 large jet of gss, I absolutely be-
held nothing! Not even an outline
"a vapor!
I do not even at this hour realize
the situation in which I found
myself. I cannot recall the astound-
ing incident thoroughly. Imagina-
tion in vain tries to compass the
awful paradox.
1t breathed. I felt it's warm
breath upon my cheek, 1t strug-
yled fercely. 1t had hands. They
clutched me. Its skin was smooth,
Just like my own. There it lay,
pressed close up against me, solid
asstoHe-and yet utterly invisible !!
l wonder that I did not faint or
90 mad on the instant. Some
instinct must have
sustained me; for, absolutely, in
place Of loosening my hold on the
terrible Enigma, I seemed to gain
and additional strength in my
moment of horror, and tightened
my grasp with such wonderful
force that I felt the creature
shivering with agony.
Just then Hammond entered
my room at the head of the house.
bold. AS soon aa he beheld my
tace-which, I suppose, must have
been an awful sight to look at-he
fastened forward, crying:
"Great Heaven what has hap
oened?"
Hammond, Hammond" I cried,
come here. Oh, this is awful. I
nave been attacked in bed by some
hing or other, which I have hold
If: but I can't see it, I can't see
IT,"
Hammond, doubtless struck by
;he unfeigned horror expressed in
ny countenance, made one or two
steps forward with an anxious yet
puzzled expression. A very audi
ole litter burst from the remainder
# my visitors. The suppressed
aughter made me furious. To
augh at a being in my position !
It was the worst species of cruelty.
Now, / can understand why the
of a man struggling
violently, as it would seem, with,