The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-03-22

1nlS lS tne Lale OF my lIlehu' Nh"I
advice would you have given to him?
had engaged myself to spend Chris
mas at Lanfair, and as love to travel
on foot had informed John Lanfair
that | would arrive on the 23d of De-
cember, after enjoying short walk
ing tour in his beautiful section.
On the morning of the day which l
had named l was within twenty miles
of Mr.. Lanfairs residence, and doubt
ed not that should reach it long ere
nightfall. The day came on very
stormy, but / did not fear strife
with the elements, and swore that |
would not yield.
Alone and on foot l had determined
to arrive, and in no other manner
would accomplish my journeys end
But l was forced to go slowly; more
than once l missed the direct road,
and night descended early, still further
delaying my progress. l struggled
forward, but at length was sufficient
ly candid to own that my position
was unpleasant. had lost my way;
I seemed to be in the midst Of des-
ert; was pretty we'll soaked and the
wind was almost sweeping me off my
legs as its gusts ever increased in
violence.
| was traversing a narrow road of
the toughest description that ran
through little piece Of wood, and
that would, hoped, bring me to some
farmhouse, when for the space of an
instant the clouds were blown from
the face of the moon, and my eyes
could see what lay before me-walls-
bare, ruined walls, standing upright
in naked ugliness, and presenting in
the midst Of the tempest picture of
desolation that was perfect. The
moonbeams faded, and | was again
plunged into utter darkness.
So wretched was now my condition
that even in these miserable walls l
sought for shelter l CROPPED along
them, guiding myself by my hands,
and my search was not in vain. |
stumbled against doorstep the door
was open. l passed through, and at
least had roof over my head. Such
q shrudder as never remember to have
suffered before shook my limbs and
body as | crossed the threshold of
this chamber of refuge, but l needed
It not.
am an experienced traveller and l
know how to keep dry through all
weather my matches, my tiny lantern,
and my tobacco. l lighted my lamp
and gaZed at my surroundings. Soon
l decided tfrat l was in cottage that
must have adjoined a larger house,
and that the larger house had been
burned down, while the cottage had
escaped; there was no pane of glass
in its windows, the door was off its
hinges, and the floor was covered with
the twigs and dead leaves that the
winds had strewn upon its surface.
Happily there was fireplace in
which was able to make blaze,
using for the purpose broken bits of
wood, and thus I slowly dried my
damp clothing, while refreshed my
self with some sandwiches which /
had brought for a possible emergency
The tempest without roared wilder,
but the warmth stole over me, over
powered with fatigue, and at last |
dropped into an uneasy sleep.
My slumbers were disturbed by the
most vivid dream that | have in all
my life experienced. l heard distant
clock strike three, and felt myself
oppressed by heavy sense of suffo-
cation. l saw the door of the room
IN wehich l lay open noiselessly, inch
by inch, and then as l watched there
appeared in my vision the face of
man.
1t was face that will live with me
till the day l die, with its black,
piercing eyes, its thin features, and
mouth closely shut as If to retain its
secrets. From the lips of the appari-
tion issued laugh, mocking, derisive,
triumphant; then it turned away, and
the sound Of the key revolving in the
lock was plainly audible.
Audible, too, were the footsteps of
my visitor as he retreated; they were
those of one who trod heavily, and
who limped. l can swear that he
limped. The sense of suffocation over
came me more and more, and now
perceived that the room was filing
with smoke, which poured in through
every open chink in flooring, door and
window.
A flash of flame, and the full horror
of my state burst upon me. l was
about to be burned alive?
In my agony of fear rushed to the
door! It was locked; it resisted all
my efforts! My enemy had doomed
me to destruction in this horrible man
ner with a cruelty too coldblooded for
Q fend!
Now I understood the meaning of
his laugh. l was to be swept from
his path, and he knew that he had
achieved his murderous purpose.