The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-10-27

tne sieuasorl. A magnificent moon shed
delicate azure light over the whole garden
anu upon she sand and reflected the shad-
wv: VI oAe great trees, like phantoms,
WHICH seeheu TO be gathering to assist m
the drama which was preparing.
Unhapplly the heroine Of the play was
wanting. l had drummed well on the
WINDOW and called 'sLouise!'' in low
voice. All was in vain. No one made the
least sign; no one responded.
outraged and disappointed, I regained
my chanper, When, on casting my eyes
below me, l distinctly perceived the styl-
ish Silhouette and mustache of my rival,
who awaited evidently a signal from
Louise 10 come to join him. L flushed
scarlet. was ridiculed to the end!
descended, step by step, as far as the
vestlbule. / detached from the panoply of
my uncle an enormous japanese sword,
the curved blade of which was of great
length. Then, dashing forward like a
hurricane, drew upon the captain, and
with both hands planted the blade in his
breast.
There was a cracking of bones and
slashing of hesh but, maddened, delirious,
did not even stop to find out whether my
VICTIM still breathed. I dried the blade
upon the skirts of my tunic and ran to
hide the weapon in its place.
had just re entered my room when the
sound OF voices, coming from the room OF
my uncle and aunt, reached my ear.
tell you, some one is trying to get
into the houser'
81 tell you, it is all nonsense. You are
having nightmare!''
''Listenl''
A long silence ensued. I was more dead
than alive. Soon heard my uncle say to
my aunt: Everybody and everything is
locked in sleep. You see, it was but
whimlp'
hid myself under the bedclothes, de-
Gliding to fcign sleep if the notion should
occur to my relatives to search my room,
but the nocturnal colloquy was not ended.
Il am certain that some ono went
through tho passages here just now! You
had better call the captain!' stammered
my aunt In voice trembling with fear. l
could hear her rummaging about, and
felt my hair standing on end.
Some minutes passed. The front door
was opened. My uncle was walking about
closely Inspecting everything, I felt sure,
and ready to disappear without doubt in
case the danger was very imminent. In
one hand he held heavy bronze candle
stick, and in the other pistol which, in
hisfcQnfusion, he had loaded with, play
bills. His cotton nightcap, which he had
kept on in his haste to take arms, had
fallen over his forehead, and one of his
shoulder braces, hanging by his side, made
a clicking noise like sidearms
My aunt came Immediately behind him,
carrying little gray bottle, which she
used every night to warm her bed with.
aUrged by an irresistible curiosity, 7 leaped
ifout of my bod and glued my eye to the
+ keyhole to review the body of the army as
it passed by.
Come, wake up the captaini'' repeated
my aunt in passing by my chamber AT
these words threw myself in swoon
npon my bed, and for quarter of an hour
had no further consciousness. My poor
brain was haunted with horrible hal
lucinations. I saw myself, very plainly,
protecting my head in court of assizes,
before fantastic tribunal of judges who
branuishcd ,boye me an innumerable
number of Japanese sabers, while / as
ccnded a rough scaffold upon which was
installed in front of me the captain with
orde RS to rip open my body.
fS
When recovered my senses, what was
my stlIpefaction to perceive near my key
hole the captain in person ut the head of
his company Ho had just returned from
reconnaissance of the entire donlicile
DO you know, mother-in- law" said
he, that our expedition much resent les
that of Don Quixotep I shall not carry
this campaign into my branch of the serv-
ice,''
1.-The thieves have escaped by the sky
light and the CUTTERS replied my aunt.
but Cats alone are capable of such
featsl'
-'Catsl You can cali them cats AS for
me, am certain that heard the noise of
Z. bootsi'
=, Then it was booted cats And now,
: with your permission, shah go to bed
again.
Upon my word of honor, asked myself
seriously if this were not the shade Of the
assassinated captain, which had come back
to earth on purpose to torment me. like u
new shade of Banquo-always after Shake
spearet called together all my courage
and vcntured to go out in order to behold
my, victim face to face eI.i448.
There truly was my adversary, two steps
from me- in flesh and blood, an ordinary
master OF arms, though quite elegant in
the white flannel robe, which in his haste
he had thrown upon his shoulders.
He had upon him not the least stain of
blood.
Feeling that my reason was wandering,
walked toward the vcstibule and again
took down the terrible Japanese saber.
AS seized it with both hands to act over
again the tragedy which had been enacted
at midnight perceived suddenly that I
had only handle within my hands.
The blade had entirely disappeared in
the large handle
prestidigitation, behold one of thy
marvels
remained open mouthed with surprise,
but greatly relieved. / quilted the cottage
In few hours without saying adieu to
any one.
Since that memorable night have not
been tempted to cleave in two my cousin,
the captain.-Translated From the French
For Romance,
Clever Advertising.
Stanu in tho