Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-02-28

boosted to my old nurse il would, and
ii was some time before my conscious
ness began to wander into the domain
of vague fancies and indistinct ideas
which characterize the period between
waking and sleeping.
Then. almost before my eyes could
open. I suddenly sat up in bed and
listened with hearing sharpened by the
sense of expectancy which had come
over me.
Out through the silence of my room
there came stealing the sound of voice
but such a voice! Not possessed by
any human being. surely! Pitched on
a high, quavering tone, and yet so soft
and small: so faint, as though borne
from great distances; so plain, as
though right at my bedside; bearing no
semblance to human tones, but never
theless undoubtedly voice; for after
a time L could distinguish a word now
and then.
II there were in the world weird, mis-
shapen little folks like fairies and
gnomes, and we could hear their con-
versation, 1 imagine their voices would
sound like this one to which now was
listening.
There was no wonder Mrs. Snyder
had been impressed by it, if this were
the voice she had heard
Strange indeed, and unnatural, as
though not of this world. it seemed to
me. A creeping sensation came over
me, not exactly like that produced by
fear; there was more of awe, of sol
emnity, about 1t.
The cnnrd Of tho x-Ctro ,,,oe
tent There would be few words,
then a pause, and so on. could make
no sense of the few disjointed sentences.
1t lasted but few minutes. Indeed, so
brief was the conversation. If that is
what it was. there was no time TO make
an investigation.
After long period of anxious listen
ing settled down again for sleep. And
when at last slumber came, il was
troubled. Vague, shadowy dreams fit
ted across my consciousness, and
through them all was a sort of premo-
milton of future events, which seemed
to have bearing upon the robbery.
The next morning was awakened by
the sun shining in my face. Hardly
had / got my eyes open and my senses
aroused to my new surroundings, when
a loud and long-continued humping
on the front door caused me to spring
out of bed. Hastily DOMINIC few gar
ments. l went to the door and opened
IT,
Mrs. Snyder was standing there, and
an unmistakable look of relief came
over her face when she saw me-
Zach my! you schleep so sount vas
afrait somesing de matteri" she said
''Breakfas' vas retty long dime alretty."
"All right. I'll be right over and cat
it," i replied.
While / was dressing the recollection
of the strange voice of the last night
came TO me. Now, in the broad glare of
the forenoon, when all mystery takes
flight and the Authorizations of the
darkness become trivial, / wondered if
my imagination had played me trick.
1t seemed as though / had heard the
voice in q dream, so unreal did the cir
cumstance appear now.
was standing by the huge chimney.
when again. breaking in upon my
thoughts, came the sound of that mys-
FERROUS small voice.
AS on the night before. there were no
completed sentences; only a word be-
tween pauses of various duration. The
sounds were palmer, however; not loud
er, but more distinct.
Here was a mystery indeed, one which
did not choose only the shades of night
for it's manifestations, but came in the
daytime, as though possessed of such
subtle and unaccountable qualities that
1t might defy research.
After the voice had ceased, and con-
tinued my toilet, the sound of talking,
coming from the walk outside. reached
me.
glanced out of the window, and saw
Sarah and Mrs. Snyder again in most
earnest conversation.
Somewhat surprised to see my old
nurse so early in the day, called to
her:
Hello, Sarah! What's the trouble?
What brought you here at this time p"
"Ach, Mel, bud am glad to see you'll"
she exclaimed. az couldn't schleep all
night"
Nov, that was too bad" said
What kept you awaken"
II vas thinkin' of you all alone in dis
oft house, and so much strangeness
aloud it." the good soul replied, with
her honest old face upturned to me.
THAT was very foolish. Nothing is
going to happen to me-" said. lightly,
| although was not so sure of it now.
When l went outside the two women
were stin talking, and there was an
awe-stricken expression on each face.
What are you two superstitious old
| girls doing now?" asked. ''Hatching
up more mysterious tales?"
Mrs. Snyder gravely shook her head,
as though seriously condemning levity
on supernatural subjects. Sarah rest
| ed her hand on my arm, and gazed up
into my face. There was deep concern
in every line of her countenance.
Mel you come wiz me-" she said,
leading the way. followed around
the corner of the house, and she stopped
before window, the shutters of which
/ we're closed.
"Look!" she exclaimed, pointing to-
ward the shutters. Mrs. Snyder says
4 dat vas not dere yesterday"