The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-02-20
PHILIPS DOUBLE.

school friend, Philip BlayhilL
should hardly have known him were
It not for the fact that he greeted me.
He had changed considerably during
the three or more years in which we
3 had last met A neatly trimmed
brown beard gave him much more
manly appearance than the smooth
shaven countenance used to know;
but his beautiful rotundity Of face and
figure were missing. The face was
pale and thin. covered to some extent
by the beard. and the eyes dull and
sad. ] noticed all this with some
feelings OF apprehension as we heart
lily shook hands
Il have been i'll. " he said. ..but my
long stay in the country has done me
considerable good. / have been feel
ing first rate physically. OF late; but
there's something mysterious about
which can not help worrying and
that is bad for me-"
'.And what may this mysterious
thing be- Philipp said Iii you Will
excuse my inquisitiveness."
Il don't know IL 1t would be well to
tell the story to man who writes for
the newspapers Philip said. forcing
smile You might make me the
laughing stock OF the town"
Being assured, however. that he
would not be subjected TO any ridicule
he told me- with an air Of profound
seriousness q very strange tale.
He lived. he said. in the quiet
boarding house OF Mrs. Blenckston in
West Thirty-fourth street not far
from Madison avenue. He moved
there on his return frsm the country
a little over two weeks ago. Almost
every evening, especially after he had
retired for the night there appeared
IN the room an apparition. 1t was
the very image OF himself-his double,
SO to speak. 1t had the strange habit
of doing the very things he had done
before going to bed. 1t wore the
same clothing smoked the same cigar
and read the, same book that he did.
Philip was at first frightened nearly
to death, but one evening he sum-
moned enough courage to APP
proach this mysterious uncan-
n.y. alter ego. On coming
near it however it elongated itself
and assumed very grotesque attitudes.
and presently vanished altogether.
Though apparently imbued with life
and motion. 1t was not constituted as
his mortal self was. It possessed no
substance. 1t was as light as the air.
and Philip thought he could see
through its body. Often he would
wake up and find it smoking cigar.
The room was filed with smoke, and
yet there was not the slightest odor Of
tobacco perceptible. 1t was brilliantly
illuminated by the burning gas jet but
Philip distinctly remembered that the
room was dark when he retired
This is certainly a strange thing"
said Still it may be the prank Of
some mischievous persons. Have you
made any investigation at allp"
Whatever it may be-" Philip re-
piled, Il do not know. Every one
who has boarded In that room has had
the same experience. Mrs. Blenckston
told me this last night when l said
could remain there no longer. Though
not very sensitive woman by any
means she has herself been worried
death Of her husband, DR.. Blenckston
about two years ago. this thing has
been going on. And only in that
identical room"
We had by this time arrived in front
OF the building where Philip had To-
Gated his law Office. Come up to-
night and convince yourself about
what have told YOU" said he earn
estly.
was only too glad to do so. Yes
] would bring my friend DR.. Army
with me, and be at his room at eight
o'clock. The agreement was satisfac-
tory, and we shook hands and parted.
so this is the room" said DIR.
Army, glancing around and scrutiniz-
ing everything very closely. t
1t was fine room. airy and spacious.
Philips bed stood near the door, his
writing table and several shelves OF
books occupied niche in the wall
near the window. Two statuettes,
representing Faust and Marguerite.
one at each side OF the bronze clock.
ornamented the marble mantel. In
fact it was delightful bachelor
apartment with its large homely
rocker easy chairs books, pictures
and other evidences of q refined taste.
Philip passed around the cigars
and, for the benefit Of the doctor he
repeated the story he had told to me-
/. ..And when does this double OF yours
usually appearp' inquired DR. Army.
Usually little after the gas has
been extinguished." replied Philip.
We sat and chatted for an hour or so
and then, in accordance with the doc
tors suggestion. the room was dark
ened and we awaited developments.
think we sat on the edge OF the
bed, in darkness and silence that was
becoming painful for at least half an
hour Presently we all started slightly.
Faint traces Of forms were making
their appearance Gradually they be-
gan 70 assume distinct shapes. Sud-
denly. by some unseen hand the gas
wee turned on and the room was
e~o1od nth li0bt We held our