The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1894-09-28

accordingly opened the door of the
room and stood just within the door.
At the sound of the opening door
James Cromwell rose in bed and
gazed with horror at the face and
figure of the boy whom he supposed
that he had murdered. The moon
light entering through the windows
fell upon Roberts face and gave it a
CHASTITY look, or at least it seemed
to do so to the excited imagin-
alton Of the guilty Cromwell.
He gazed spell-bound. and covering
with fear, at the apparition, and with
difficulty calculated:
"Who are you"
OF course Robert recognized Crom-
well and he at once guessed the
truth, that he was going to New
York to give his own version of his
disappearance to his guardian. He
saw al once that he was mistaken for a
ghost. and the desire seized him to
carry out the deception. Certainly.
if n were justifiable in frightening
another by exciting his superstitious
fears Robert a justified in terrify-
ing the mar who so basely sought
his life. When, therefore, with falter-
Ing lips, James Cromwell put the
question, "Who are you?" Robert
answered in a low, cultural voice:
II am the spirit of the boy you
murdered!" AS he uttered the words.
he waved one hand aloft. and made
a cfan fny.uoy,6 oyuor tho ha1
Excited to the widest pitch. Crom-
well trembled convulsively, then
opened his lips to utter a piercing
shrek, and hinging the bed-clothes
owe his head, covered beneath them
in craven terror. Robert thought
this a good chance to make his exit.
He noiselessly reiterated, closing the
door behind him. and entered his
own room before the servants,
aroused by Cromwell's shrieks,
could reach the door of his apart
mont
whats the matter here??" de-
manded q waiter. opening the door
of No. II.
The only answer was a groan from
DenelLn the DGQ-clOJIloS.
"'What's the matter. 1 say:o" he
repeated rather sharply.
The voice was SO decidedly earthly
that James Cromwell, somewhat re-
lieved of his fear, removed the
clothes from his head, and looked up.
IL don't know" he said, Il
think | had the nightmare"
''Well," uttered the servant, 81
hope you won't have 1t again. You'll
wake up all that are asleep, and
make them think that somebody is
being murdered"
James Cromwell recoiled at the
last word, and he said, hastily. for
he feared a return of the supposed
spirit:
'.My friend, if you'll come in here
and stop till I've gone to sleep, Til
pay You for your trouble. I'm afraid
of having the nightmare again"
Cant do it; 1 haven't got the
time. Besides, what's the use? You
won't have the nightmare when
you're awake"
He shut the door and James Crom-
well lay Tor a long time III a state of
nervous terror, trying to go to sleep,
but unable to do so. At last, from
sheer fatigue, he fell into a troubled
slumber, which was disturbed by
troubled dreams. He woke at an
early hour unrefreshed, and going
below ordered a breakfast which he
did not relish. Thence he went to
the depot an took the early morn
ing train bound eastward. He was
already speeding on his way rapidly
before Robert Raymond arose. The
door of No. Al was open and he
looked in. But the occupant had
disappeared. Going to the Office he
saw the name of James Cromwell on
the books of the hotel, and learned
from the clerk that he had already
gone.
.'He's a queer chap said the
clerk; ..he'h had a terrible nightmare
last night, and shrieked loud enough
to take the roof off. You must have
heard him, as your room adjoins his?' .
Eyes, l heard him." said Robert,
but he said no more.