The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-01-29

l. u6u L lculCAOCAOo 0h
nent of gypsies, of whom some had
posed as models, and nearly all had
been up before my husband in his ca
pacity as magistrate during the past
month. Surprising one OF them had
noticed my watch or rings during
sitting? The thought was appalling.
Footsteps behind me made my
heart jump into my mouth, but they
died away in the distance. l shud-
dered, stepped into puddle up to
my ankles, and, had been a man and
not so frightened, should undoubtedly
have used bad language.
"I had reached hollow, the very
darkest part of the road where the fog
lay thickest, when all ct once 1 was
conscious of presence beside me.
1t was exactly as if the very mist had
taken shape and put its arm round my
waist. The shock was so sudden that,
for an instant, I felt as if struck by
dagger. My tongue clave to the roof
of my mouth, and how I didn't faint
on the spot has always been mystery
to me.
"The spirit of the fog, or the high
wayman, kept firm hold on me, but
did not change the direction OF my
footsteps. When the first intense
fright gave place to sort OF semi
consciousness, I found myself being
guided in fashion which gave me to
understand that the ghost, gypsy or
garotter, whichever it might be, at
least, knew the road. I no longer
stepped into puddles, or scratched my
hands in the hedges, but was assisted
along, apparently without an effort.
"Why I did not cry out is the in
applicable thing. 1t was doubtless
that first shock which had paralyzed
my tongue, yet was being taken to
some lonely spot, there, I presumed,
to be robbed or murdered, or both, by
one whom could recognize only as a
blurred shape, if indeed it was Of this
world at all.
"And all this while terror kept me
dumb, while the thing neither re-
linquished nor frightened its grasp, so
far not rough one, but held on the even
tenor of its way up the hill which, I'M
less fright had sent my wits wool
gathering altogether, should lead, ]
knew, to my own avenue.
"Of course I was fully aware that
some terrible design was in the mind OF
my ghostly companion, and feared lest
every moment should be my last.
Still, with life there was hope, though
I specially dreaded the by-lane, which
branched off toward the gypsy en-
campment, and which we must pass
directly.
"Then new, strange feeling crept
over me. I was dreamily conscious OF
leaning heavily on the garotter's arm
and finding it strong one, wondering
at the same time if this awful expert
ence was the punishment OF my dis
obedience. How fervently I vowed
that if got safely out of this scrape.
nothing on earth would ever again
tempt me to risk my life after darl
among the lanes of Treeleigh.
Suddenly we stopped. I gasped,
still mute as fish, and shut my eyes
tight. Already, in anticipation, L fell
the murderous knife at my throat, the
robbers hand rifing my dead body
The arm around me perceptibly tight
ened its grip; my heart stopped beat
ing, when deep, musical voice wins
pered in my ear
"sThere really are footpads about
but you have no reason to be fright
ened. All want from you is one kis
to last me my lifetime.
"Before I could recover my sense
the highwayman had pressed his lip
to my cheek. The spell was broken
L opened my eyes with a piercing
shrek. But he had vanished as silent
ly and adroitly as he had come. All
saw was the indistinct light of Ian
tern as our lodge-keeper opened tn
gate and fastened toward me.
SIN dazed kind of way reache
the house without further adventure
Who my assailant had been neve
knew. assumed him to be gyps
impertinently retaliating on me fo
some of Mr.. Treherne's judgments
The voice was one I had never hear
before, but so remarkable was its To-
and peculiar quality, that I shoul
recognize it again among thousands.
may add that my husband was s
vexed at my missing the carriage
which had returned without me, an
also at my making a show of myself b
shrieking outside our own gate, that
had to give up the school and my a
tistic dreams forever.
, The completion of Mrs. Treherne
, narrative elected round of applaus
I and fire of chaff. The hostess keel
/ ing her eyes fixed on her friend, alon
, made no remark, when noise outsit
betokened the return of the men fro
hunting.
, The door opened, and, following Il
host, there entered tall, good-loo
: ing, sunburned man of about thirt
} five.
Mrs. Treherne, still immersed
a her "reminiscences, was gazing at Il
, fire. when her hostess voice arouse
Z her,
\ ssKitty, here is my brother, who
, diving to be introduced to you. t
r has only just returned from Sou
. Africa. where he has been ever sin
r he left Treeleigh many years ago."
' Mrs. Treherne looked up with t