The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-08-08

rude for his brother to gtaro, but we must
make allowance for his affliction. My wife,
l urged, was very nervous. "You cannot
hold me responsible for your wife's pecul-
larities," said Hanotaux, with sardonio
gloam. Then l offered to pay for high
fence along the top Of the wall Hanotaux
shook his head. 81 don't see why should
lose my view on your account" he said.
1t was when returned from this that
heard of new offense of this disagreeable
little monster. Mariana had been In the
up stairs garden when the oil too familiar
grinning visage had appearedinthe branch
es of an apple tree on the other side of the
fence, into which he had swung himself by
his long arms "IIe seemed close to me-"
said Mariana. ~ don't know how got
down the steps again"
That evening 1t was that began max
ing hostile demonstration at this nuisance
of ours, stamping my foot, shaking my
fists and shouting, "Go awayp He grin
ned and made his horrible inartioulate
noises at me, but presently he seemed to
realize that was not In fun this time, and
Mt that he looked disconnected and sudden
ly disappeared. He turned In such queer
manner that I was almost inclined to
think he dropped on all fours. Presently,
when was Swinging the Gloire dc Dijon
in front of the house, 1t occurred to me
that might use the weapon In my hand
pretty effectually II had much more trou-
BILE with him.
Now the next thing that happened can
not describe very exactly, for the simple
reason that 1t has never been properly de-
scribed to mo. 1t must have been very dis
agreeable. was in my study, and my
q t. II u,rsl
her scream, and running in to her found
her kneeling beside the bed, and just at
the beginning Of faint, and noticed in
distinctly that there was something like q
brown bird that passed from the corner OF
the window Whom she revived, ques-
toned her. So far as can understand she
had suddenly seen the face of our disgust
ing little neighbor upside down outside
the window. An inverted face at any time
Is not nice thing to see suddenly, even
though it be pretty one. I suppose he
had clambered along the Ivy and hung
down by means of his long arms.
When had recovered her and learned
this, will confess my charitable feelings
toward this incubus vanished. was fu
riously angry, and, fancy, little afrai6
Of what he would do. This experience wa'
new. Evidently the little brute had only
Just discovered the climbable nature of oul
creeper in his queer and anything but
pleasant attempts upon our company, ol
rather upon my wife's company. wen
| off to Marvin, the solicitor, and then Il
Hanotaux again. The law considered
had case, and perhaps in the course of ,
little time At which left the Office
blaspheming.
When got home, got an ak and begar
to chop at the main stem OF the ivy, in tn
corner between the house and the wall. II
the midst Of this 1 heard chuckling
throaty sound above that knew only to-
well. l went indoors and returned witt
the syringe.
The little beast was waving his apelik
arms at me in threatening manner, an,
his face was full of diabolical malice. IS
it's war;" said I, and forthwith the jc
from the syringe took him fairly in tn
face The water sprayed out from the cor
ners Of his ugly grin, making him NOR
suggestive of gargoyle than ever
This time there was no mistakingit. III
dropped on all fours and vanished
Mariana woke me in the middle Of tn
night She was sitting up in bed listen
ing. At flrst-for am heavy sleeper
was disposed to be angry at being awak
ened, but then heard steady rustling Il
the ivy outside.
"Don't be frightened, little one " said
and getting out Of bed I began to crop
about for tho matches. think at that me
ment was capable Of murder.
Then came cracking noise, and then
kissing sound Us though a lot of orumple
paper had been drawn smartAy across tn
window. Tho whole queer, quick noise ter
| t.. .,.1 Il, x0ls
ately succeeded by q low moan.
AS the match flared saw Mariana Il
the blush glare, ghastly with terror.
went to her at once, and she clung to me
too frightened even to sob.
Don't leave mel" she said. "Don'
leave mep'
Presently, as we sat there in the flarin
light of the candle, we heard faint whin
ing from the garden, then it changed to
still fainter sobbing, and died down int
absolute stiffness.
tried to comfort Mariana as we'll as
; could, but until the dawn came she woul
not let me leave her, or even unclasp he
clinging arms. For the most part durin
that interminable watching we sat hold
ing one anorher In silence. At last, how
ever, as the daylight grew strong her gras
loosened, and she fell asleep, and when
was assured of her went down and un
chained the front door and looked out.
The first thing l saw was one great steT
Of ivy torn down from the wall, and the
almost at my feet was the dead body G
our little neighbor. There was red stat
ON the gravel toward the flower bed and
fiat red triangle stuck ort between hi
shoulder blades.
Overcoming my feeling of repulsion,
turned him over and found the handle c
big knife, like breadknife, stickin
out of his chest. Evidently he had bee
climbing down the Ivy with this in hi
hand and had stabbed himself In his fall
1t was very bright, fresh morning, an
all the world lay still under the pink sur
rise. l thought for moment, and then
decided to go round and call up HanotauS
That ends the story of our little neigh
Dor. When Mariana awoke the body wa
gone, and the red stains had been dug int
the gravel. l avoided any errors on tn
side of truth in the account gave hen
She knows nothing of the knife and think
our little tormentor broke his neck--whic
is SO far as the phrase goes, a death by n
means horrible. But nevertheless to say
her-and perhaps myself as well--froI
haunting memories, I had--at some prof
! TO the ingenious landlord-to get release
from my agreement and leave the house