Middletown transcript., 1905-11-15

mattress foot or two from the window.
As I gazed upon it, transfixei with
amazement, noticed beam OF sunlight
streaming through the window and rest
| ing directly upon the spot from which
the fame and smoke were now rapidly
rising. Quickly extinguishing the blaze
placed my hand in line of the sunbeam
and received almost instantly stinging,
painful burn and moment later the
sunlight disappeared.
An examination of the window showed
me that one of its panes contained a cur
ious defect, in the shape of large bubble
of glass. Its form and size were such as
to make of it powerful burning glass.
By one Of those strange accidents of
fate its position happened to be such as
to catch the only ray of sunshine that
ever entered the window. This occurred
but once year-on this particular day,
the 2lst of June, when the sun gains its.
most northern limit in the skies,-and it
was only on this date each year that the
sun reached point that enabled it for
single moment to clear the edge of an
adjoining chimney and shine into this
window.
Despite his apparent Indifference to the
matter, l determined to acquant Col
Covington with my discovery. II he
was already aware Of the phenomenon
would have the satisfaction of letting him
know that | shared his secret If it
proved news to him it would crafty me
to inform him that, in spite Of his un-
willingness to help me, had found for
him source of danger that must sooner
or later result in the destruction of his
property.
was little prepared. however, for the
answer l received to my letter. As the
Colonel is now dead there can be no OBJ
lection to my publishing it, and as tie
letter is most remarkable one, | appel d
it hereto:
"My dear sir Your letter brings me
the most joyful intelligence | have ever
received. For the last ten years my life |
has been haunted with horrible, sick |
ening fear. Though | am accounted a |
man of strength and cold Indifference, | |
am mental coward-a cringing slave to |
On the 2lst of June, many |
years ago, | committed a cruel wrong. 1t |
is known to no one but myself and it |
shall be buried with me. From the day |
Of its commission | was stricken with re-
morse and a superstitious dread of retri
button. No one can imagine the terror
| suffered when | realized that year after
year my house mysteriously took fire on
the anniversary of that dread day. was
too overwhelmed with conviction that
it was supernatural manifestation OF
fate, to attempt any reasonable explana-
tion. | abandoned myself wholly to the
haunting terror it inspired. | did not
consolation lay in the fact that it did not
seem to attract attention. Nevertheless,
lived from year to year in morbid dread
hat it would be noticed and that would
De called upon for an explanation. |
ook every precaution that no one should
De in the house at the time of the annual
eCuTTeHCe Vi ILlS unCanHy VISITATION |
lot only for fear that it would reveal my
,rime, but in the prayerfnl hope that the
louse might be consumed and thus bring
lbout fulfillment of the ever-threaten-
ng punishment.
l am stricken now with an incurable
nalady. The doctors give me until Octt-
yer to live. But | shall die content in
he knowledge you have impaired to me.
You cannot know what a relief it is to
ny soul. dare not tell you what, in
ny snperstitious cowarice, imagined
his mysterious fate to be. 1t was horri-
lie, agonizing. Had l but the courage
f child should myself have solved
he mystery years ago and spared my life
he horror it has endured
pray that you will accept the accom-
anying draft for ten thousand dollars in
oxen Of my heartfelt gratitude"