Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1895-12-06

me about the people who were to
give US shelter. The father had
killed a poacher, two years before,
and since that time he had been
morose and gloomy, aud seemed to
be haunted by some fearful memo
ry. His two married sons lived
with him.
"The darkness was profound.
could see nothing before me nor
around me. The clashing branches
of the trees filed the night with an
unceasinguproar. Atlast, caught
the glimmer of light, aud soon nv
companioB-was- Knocking at asdoor.
We were answered by the piercing
shrieks of women. Then a man s
voice, a choked voice, demanded,
who is there ? The guide gave
his name. We entered. The scene
that met our eyes was strange past
belief.
'An old, white-haired man with
wild eyes, and with loaded gun
in his hand, awaited US. He was
standing in the middle of the kitch-
en-, while two strapping fellows,
armed with hatchets, guarded the
door.
Il could make out in the dark
corners of the room two women on
their knees, their faces hidden
against the wall.
Explanations were made. The
old man put down his gun, and
gave orders to prepare my room;
then, as the women did not stir. he
said brusquely to me: You see,
monsieur, | killed man two years
ago tonight. Last year he came
back to haunt me. am waiting
for him tonight Then he added,
in tone which made me smile:
$50 you see we are somewhat un-
easy
Il reassured him as best | could,
glad to have come that night and
to witness this strange spectacle of
terror. ! told stories
and succeeded in calming them all.
Near the hearth an old dog, blind
and feeble-one of those dogs which
remind one of people one has
known-slept with his nose between
his paws.
Outside, the furious storm beat
against the house. Through a mar
row pane, sort of peep-hole near
the door, could see, by the vivid
flashes of lightning, confusion of
trees lashed by the wind.
'In spite of my efforts, | could
feel that a profound terror had pos
session of these people, and when
ever | ceased speaking, every ear
was strained to catch some distant
sound. Tired of watching their
absurd fears, | was about to ask TO
be shown to my room, when the old
forester sprang from his chair and
seized his gun.
'There he comes! There he
comes! | hear him. he gasped
wildly.
The two women fell on their
knees again, and the sons snatched
up their axes. Twas trying to quiet
them, when the sleeping dog sud-
denly awoke, and lifting his head,
his neck extended, and looking in
to the fire with his sightless eyes,
he gave vent to one of those un-
earthly howls which make belated
travellers tremble as they hurry
homeward alone in the dark. All
eyes turned toward him. He now
stood erect and motionless, as il
troubled by vision, and commenc-
ed to howl again at something in
visible, uuknown-frightful without
doubt, for his coat bristled. The
forester was CHASTITY pale.
HE scents him. He scents him"
he cried. 'He was there when /
killed him. And the two women,
half-crazed, joined their cries with
the dogs.
In spite of myself, a shiver ran
down my back. The sight of this
dog, in this place. at this hour. in
the midst of these distracted people
was horrible.
Then. for a whole hour the dog
howled without stirring; he howled
as if in the agon:es Of nightmare,
and fear, horrid fear, entered into
INV soul. Fear of what: Can |
tells 1t was fear; that is all.