Morris tribune., 1907-08-17
HIS OWN SHADOW

corted him to his chamber.
Just as they commenced the ascent
Of the second fight Of stairs they were
startled by the most horrid laughter,
apparently from some one in room
on tie corridor they were approach.
The servant FASTENED to explain that
it ' IS a gentleman who had been
drinking too much and was suffering
with delirium tremens.
My friend hesitated about proceeding
farther, but on the assurance Of the
servant that this was the first time
that the sick man had. made any noise
and that he was in charge of two
friends who had volunteered to sit up
with him Charley concluded to proceed.
The wind was bowling mournfully
around the house, and the rain beat
wildly on the window panes. Hastily
disrobing himself and extinguishing
the candle, he enjoyed the luxury of
the first stretch in forty-eight hours.
He fell asleep almost instantly. How
long he remained so he could not TELL
but some time during the night he was
awakened by a quick, sharp noise at
his bedside resembling the overthrow
of piece Of furniture or the bursting
open of door.
Starting up in his bed, he was horri-
fed to see standing near him figure
In white, with glaring eyes and di-
sheveled hair, apparently about to
spring upon him. He atSonce realized
the situation. The victim of mania-a-
potu had escaped from his watchers
and obtained admission to his room
Almost as suddenly. however, the ap-
partition vanished.
The disappearance affected him no
less seriously, for he knew not from
what quarter to expect an attack
Anything was prefera BILE to such un-
certainty, and momentarily expecting
to encounter the maniac he CROPPED his
way In the dark to the table where he
had left his candle.
1t seemed an age to him before he
succeeded in obtaining light. When
its feeble glimmer penetrated the
room, to his establishment it was
empty.
Aiming himself with his cane, he
commenced search, but without dis
covering the intruder. The door was
locked on the inside and the windows
were secured. There was but one closet
in the room, and that was empty
Could he have been mistaken?
Could II have been dream?
At all events, there was no more
sleep for him that night. After dress
ing himself he was about to go to
the Office Of the hotel and apply for
another room when it occurred to him
that it would be rather embarrassing
to explain his reason for demanding a
change, and in the hope that it was
near morning, for he had no watch,
he wrapped the bedclothes around him
and sat in a chair awaiting the break
Of day.
The candle burned to it's socket long
before day dawned. It's first feeble
glimmer had hardly made its appear
ance when he descended to the Office
and awaited his breakfast, with the de-
termination Of seeking other quarters
afterward.
He had decided to say nothing Of
his scare, but when the clerk, sur
prised at his early appearance, in
quired if he had not rested comfort
ably he determined to confide in him,
with the hope of obtaining an expla
nation of the mystery.
The clerk evidently believed that it
was nothing but a dream, but he sent
to inquire if the sick man had left his
room during the night He received
the positive assurance Of both the
watchers that he had rested very
quietly and that such thing was i'm
possible, as neither Of them had closed
his eyes.
In the hope Of setting his mind at
rest the clerk suggested that he should
sit near the door Of the breakfast room
and inspect the faces of the guests to
identify if possible the intruder
The arrangement was carried out,
and after the last guest had break
tasted my friend was forced to be-
lieve that none of them could have
UStu Tie lHlIuUors Out the IMPRESSION
yet remained that he could not have
been deceived.
The clerk determined to go upstairs
and make an examination of the room.
This was done in the presence of my
friend, who accompanied him without
discovering any possible means of exit.
Vexed and annoyed with himself for
having invited by his confession the
i'll concealed amusement of the clerk,
he sat upon the edge of the bed, en-
deavoring to recall all the circum-
stances of the case.
While in this position he slowly
raised his head, when his eyes en-
countered what seemed to be the ap-
partition that had previously presented
itself. A second glance Redeemed his
cheeks with shame when he recognized
himself in mirror
With this clew to guide him he dis
covered that the noise which had
awakened him was made by the porter
of the hotel. who overturned a chair
In o. 4o