Strange Visitors by Henry J. Horn
page 28 of 235 (11%)
page 28 of 235 (11%)
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suffered and am not without sin."
Casting his eyes upon me now for the first time, the man scowled with dogged sullenness, and said: "I want no help." "Nay," said I, "your looks belie your words; come, go with me to my quiet cottage; there you shall refresh yourself; you shall sleep to-night in peace." "Peace!" he repeated scornfully. "I know no peace; nor can I leave this spot till every eye beholds the horrid deed that I committed here." "Friend," said I, "tell me the nature of your crime; reveal to me your secret and your heart will be lighter for it." "Ha! ha!" he answered, his voice dying away in a low wail. "Look upon that wall opposite the bed; it will speak better than I can." I looked, and beheld a faint photograph or impression of the couch, with its handsome drapery. Upon it reclined the figure of a female, and bending over her appeared the form of a man, whose livid face and black, disordered hair I recognized as an unmistakable reflection of the unfortunate man before me. "You see that 'the very stones cry out against me,'" said he. "Every night for two years have I enacted that same scene, and I am held by some unseen, influence to this baneful spot." "Tell me your story," said I; "hide nothing--I am your friend." |
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