The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1907-08-22
now.
BY rrrz-JAMEs o'BRrEN.

heCh duu CHEST, udNtu6 every uO&hSae
to protect my throat against pair
of sinewy, agile hands, which my ut
most efforts could not confine--these
were circumstances which required
all strength, skill and courage.
At last, after a silent, deadly, ex-
hausting struggle, l got my assail-
ant under by incredible efforts. Once
pinned, with my knee on what made
out to be its chest, knew was vic
tor. rested for a moment to
breathe. l heard the creature be-
meath me painting in the darkness,
and felt the violent throbbing of a
heart. 1t was apparently as exhaust
ed as / was.
At this moment remembered that
I usually placed under my pillow, be-
fore going to bed, large yellow silk
pocket handkerchief. l felt for it
instantly; 1t was there. In a few
seconds more l had, after a fashion,
pinioned the creatures arms.
now felt tolerably secure. Never
loosing my hold for an instant, l
slipped from the bed to the floor,
dragging my captive with me. had
but few steps to reach the gas burn
er. Quick as lightning ] released
my grasp with one hand and let on
the full flood of light. Then turned
to look at my captive.
l cannot even attempt to define
my sensations the instant after /
turned on the gas. l suppose 1 must
have shrieked with terror, for min
ute afterward my room was crowded
with the inmates of the house 1
shudder now as l think of that awful
moment.
saw nothing!
Yes; had one arm firmly clasped
round breathing, painting, corporeal
shape; my other hand gripped with
all its strength a throat as appar-
emily fieshy as my own; and yet, with
this living substance in my grasp,
with its body pressed against my own,
and in all the bright glare of gas, l
absolutely beheld nothing. Not even
an outline-a vapor.
1t breathed. l felt its breath up
on my cheek. 1t struggled fiercely.
1t had hands. They clutched me. It's
skin was smooth, like my own. There
it lay, pressed close up against me,
solid as stone, and yet utterly in
visible.
Just then Hammond entered my
room at the head of the household
AS soon as he beheld my face-which
I suppose, must have been an awful
sight to look at--he fastened for
ward, crying, Great heavens, Harry
what has happened?"
Hammond! Hammond" l cried
come here. oh, this is awful.
have been attacked in bed by some.
thing or other, which I have hold of;
but can't see it, can't see it!"
Hammond, doubtless struck by the
&orrcr expressed In my countenance
made one or two steps forward with
an anxious yet puzzled expression. A
very audible litter burst from the re-
mainder of my visitors.
This suppressed laughter made me
curious.
Hammond Hammond" I cried
again despairingly, come to me.
can hold the Thing but a short while
longer. 1t is overpowering me. He'll
me! help mel"
Harry" whispered Hammond, ap
preaching me, you have been smok
ing too much opium"
II swear to you, Hammond, tha
this is no vision" answered, in thu
some low tone. Don't you see how
it shakes my whole frame with it
| struggles? If you don't believe me
convince yourself. Feel it, touch it. "
Hammond advanced, and laid hi
hand on the spot indicated. A wilc
cry of horror burst from him. II,
had felt it,
In moment he had discovered
somewhere in my room long piec,
of cord, and was the next instan
winding it and knotting 1t about tn
body of the unseen being that
clasped in my arms.
Harry" he said in hoarse voic
for though he preserved his pres
ence of mind, he was deeply agitate,
Harry, it's safe now; you may lie
go if you are tired. The Thing can
move"
/ was utterly exhausted, and
gladly looled my hold. Hammon
stood holding the ends of the cor
that bound the Invisible, twiste
around his hand, while before him
self-supporting, as it were, was
rope laced and interlaced, an
stretching tightly around a vacan
space.
The confusion among the guests Q
the house who beheld the pantomim
of binding this struggling Somethin
who beheld me almost sinkin
from physical exhaustion when m
task of jailer was over--the confu
sion and terror that took possessio
of the bystanders when they saw a
this was beyond description. Th
7 weaker ones fed from the apartment
} The few who remained could not b
induced to approach. Still the
, doubted. gave sign to Hammond
| and both OF us--conquering our fea
: rul repugnance to touch the invisib
} creature--lifted It from the groun,
manacled as 1t was. and took 1t I
my bed. Its weight was about that
} boy OF fourteen.
Now, my friends" said. as Han
l mond and myself held the creatul
. suspended over the bed, II can gi,
3 you self-evident proof that here is
!. solid, ponderable body. which. neve