Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-09-01
Mechannswn Frederick County, Maryland Thursday September 1892

Great Heaven thought I had more
fortitude. This horror humans me-
put my hand on his wrist, for there
was now a fever in his sunken eyes
which checked the superstitious chill
which had been gathering over me and
made me hope that after all N.Y. first
suspicion was correct and that my
patient was but the victim of some fear
full hallucination, and, watching my
opportunity, slipped a sleeping powder
which | had managed to pat in my
pocket before leaving the surgery into
the tumbler of claret that stood beside
him. =.
1t was with sincere satisfaction that I
saw him drink the wine and then
stretch himself on the luxurious bed.
'Ha,' thought I, as the clock struck
IL. and instead Of a groan the deep
breathing Of the sleeper sounded
through the room, you won't receive
any summons tonight. and may make
myself comfortable. :.
Noiselessly 1, replenished the fire,
poured out large glass Divine, and,
drawing the curtain so that the freight
should not disturb the sleeper, | put
myself in a position to follow, his exam,
PIE. How long slept | know not, but
suddenly | aroused with start and q
thrill OF horror. Something-what. l
know not seemed near, something name.
less, but utterably awful.
The fire emitted il faint blue glowjust
sufficient to enable me to see that the
room was exactly the same us when l
fell asleep, but that the long hand OF
the clock wanted but five minutes of
the mysterious hour which was to be
the death moment of the Summoned
man ....A
The silence was intense.
7 could not even hear breath from
the bed, and Was about to rise and ap.
proach, when again that awful horror
seized me. and at the same moment my
eye fell upon the mirror opposite the
door, and I saw all awful shape -ghast-
ly mockery of what had been humanity.
1t stood there in visible death clothes;
but the awful face was ghastly with cor
ruption, and the sunken eyes cleaned
green, CLASSY glare which seemed a
veritable blast from the internal fires
below
saw that horrible shape move slowly
toward the bed. What was the awful
scene enacted there l know not. |
heard nothing except low, stihed, ag-
onized .groan, and was the shadow Of
that ghastly messenger bending over the
bed. W. ..,
For an instant the shadow of claw
like hand, from which the third finger,
was missing. appeared extended, over
the doomed mans head, and then, as
the clock struck one clear silvery stroke,
it fell, and wild shrek rang through
the room.
Il am not given to fainting; but |
certainly confess that the next ten min.
utes of my existence was cold blank,
and even when l did manage to stagger
to my feet I gazed around. valnly ell
deavoring to understand the chilly hor-
ror which still possessed me.
Thank God the room was rid Of that
awful presence. l saw that; so, gulp-
ing down some wine, lighted wax
taper and staggered toward bed.
But one glance was sufficient.
Even us gazed the expression Of tie
face seemed to change, the blackness
faded into deadly whiteness. the
vulsed featured relaxed and, even as if
the victim o. that dread apparition still
lived, IA sad, SOLEMN smile stole over the
pale lips.
Twas intensely Mortified, but still I
retained sufficient self consciousness to
be struck professionally BY such a phe-
nomenon.
Again. scrutinized the dead face and
even the throat and chest, but with the
exception OF d tiny pimple on the tenn
pie beneath cluster Of hair, mot mark
appeared.
AS noiselessly as l could | made my
way out of the house. No one met ME
on the private STAIRCASE tie little door
opening into the road was easily unfast-
ened and thankful indeed was Ito feel
again the fresh wintry air as Hurried
;,tcng the road blythe churchyard
There'w was magnificent fineral soon
in~ that churchyard and it was said
that the widow OF the buried man was
incohsolible = ard then rumors got
abroad of e. horrible apparition which
had beer seen IN the night of the death;
and 1T was whispered the young widow
was terrified and insisted upon leaving
her splendid mansion.