Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 August 1891 — UNDER A CLOUD. [ARTICLE]

UNDER A CLOUD.

That my 6tory Is a strange one—strange almost beyond belief —is the only excuse 1 have for laying a part fcf my life’s history bare to the eye of the public. That there are many who will class as fiction what is mere ly a narrative of actual occurences, Ido not ddubt, I Cfcn only repeat .that what followed is a history of a period in my life, and strange though it may be, it is none the less true. It is 10 years ago to-day since I came to consciousness like one who had been awakened from a long and dreamless sleep, and although I was then 23 years of' age, I gazed upon my surroundings as one might who in the vigor of manhood opens his eyes for the time and gazes curiously upon the busy world. What had preceded my sudden awakening was to me a sealed book —my memory was at fault —I had lost 23 years out of my life. At the time of my awakening I was lying upon a bed in a richly furnished chamber, grazing through a slightly frosted window pane on to a snow white plain bounded by a thick grove ot pine trees whose boughs were heavy with the falling snow. A pathway, lately cleared, led winding through the pines to a heavy, iron barred gate. A thick hedge of fir trees, and a high board fence shut out all possibility of a view beyond tho premises, but I cared not to see beyond. I did not know that there was anything more to see than that which was presented to my gaze, and was as unable to conceive a greater .world than that to which my vision was limited, as man is to grasp in his narrow brain the breadth of eternity. I was as ignorant of the great world as the babe of a week, but unlike the child, I was able to appreciate the glorious beauty of the winter scene before me; to mark the frozen crystals that gemmed the stately trees, and marvel at their brightness and to watch with pleasure the falling snowflakes decending lazily to earth. I possessed all the faculties and senses of a man, save one. I could not look backward —I had forgotten everything.

Presently the door of my chamber opened, and an old man entered, followed by a young girl. The man was tall, broad-shouldered and stooped' slightly as he walked. His face was marked by deep lines, and his features were bold, striking and full of character. His hair was quite gray, as was also the thin growth of beard beneath his chin. He must have been well high unto 70, but his eye > gleamed under his shaggy brow with all the brilliancy of youth. But the girl! How shall I describe her rare loveliness? A face that combined the sweet innocence of a child with the glorious beauty of budding womanhood—a form whose outlines if caried in marble would have added lustre to Canova’s fame. The old man smiled kindly upon me, and then spoke a few words to his companion, who took from a shelf near by some strips of linen and a small vessel containing a thick, yellow paste, and placed them before him. The old man approached, and with careful fingers removed the bandage from my head; a sharp pain caused me to cry out as he did so, but it soon passed away, and then he made a-new bandage and wrapped it tightly about my head. For some time lie remained conversing pleasantly with the young girl, and both appeared to watch my every movement with great interest. I did not understand a word of what was. said, but my recollection of that day’s events is so perfect that 1 can call to mind every expression that mdrked the features of my companions as though it were but an hour since. After a time my physician left the i-oom and I was left alone with the girl. She spent some time rummaging in an old chest that lay in a corner of the room, and took from it a lot of old books and yellow newspapers. At length, with a short ex-

Clamation of triumph, she sprang up, and drawing a chair close to my bedside, spread out before me a small book, the pages of which were printed in large, attractive characters, Placing a tiny finger upon a letter she repeated its name many times, meanwhile looking at me with a sweet, entreating expression upon her lovely face. I soon found my voice, and called out the letters after my pretty' teacher in a strong baritone that astonished me quite as much as it evidently pleased her. Thus we proceeded for about half an hour, when I was able to read the alphabet unaided. This pleased my teacher amazingly. She laughed merrily, and patted my cheek with her pretty hand, as one encourages a child deserving of praise. After some further teaching I learned to speak the maiden's name, Amy. It sounded sweetly to my ears, and I repeated it over and over until she placed her hand on my lips and stopped me. Then she* suddenly arose, and waving her hand to me quitted the room. About an hour after her departure the door was again opened, this time oy an old negro, who took roe in an adjoining room and arrayed me in an ill-fitting suit of clothes not unlike that worn by the old gentleman. Within this room I had the pleasure of seeing my reflection in a mirror. I say that I had the pleasure, for I was undoubtedly pleased, and my antics before the glass, as I assumed different attitudes and made critical observations of my limbs and features, also seemed to please the old darkey, for after several ill-sup-pressed chuckles, lie fairly screamed 1 with laughter, while I was induatri-

ously tTvlnf to obtain a better view of my head. After I had admired myself to my heart's content, the negro led me from the room, ddwn a broad staircase into a large dining halL Amy knd the old man were already seated, and, as I entered, the former beckoned me to a chair beside her. She took pleasure in ministering to my wants, and watched my movements with interest. Once she spoke a few words to me, which I repeated. This semed to please her, and her pleasant laugh seemed to fall like music on my ears. The old man, however, did not appear to be altogether satisfied with my attempted eloquence. He shook his head gravely, and a sad expression crept into his clear, grey eyes. He said something to Amy, and a chill feeling came over me as I saw a shadow fall upon her lovely face and her eyes looking pitying upon me. After the meal Amy led me to an elegantly furnished apartment at the further end of the house. The carEet was a deep crimson, and silken angings of crimson and gold decorate tne walls. Statuary, flowers, books, paintings, and in short everything that luxurious taste eovld suggest, combined in giving to the apartment an air of almost regal magnifies nee, Within a niche that appeared to have been purposely designed for it, stood a harp, and upon this my companion began to play. I sank upon a low divan near her, and watched her shapely fingers as they flitted from string to string in a soft, sweet melody. I don’t know how long I watched her thus; she seemed to have become oblivious of my presence, until her eyes met mine, and a smile wreathed her lips as she perhaps noted the earnestness of my gaze. Then her lips parted, and from the white throat wailed forth a low, rippling melody of ravishing sweetness. I was charmed, entranced, and listened with an intense feeling of rapture that overpowered me, and I sank on my knees at her feet. She bent over me, and raising my head gently in her cool, soft hands, looked lovingly, into my eyes. The intensity of ner gaze thrilled my soul —her face came nearer mine, until her rich red lips touched my own. My heart gave a great throb of rapture—my brain whirled in an ecstasy of delight, and then all grew dark. When I came to I was lying on a sofa, and the old man was holding a glass of brandy to my lips. The negro stood near, but Amy had left the room. I was soon on my feet, and, guided by the negro, walked slowly back to my room and went to bed. For some time after the negro had departed, I lay awake, gazing into the fire, and watching the shadows that the curling flames made upon the walls, but I at length fell into an unquiet slumber, and strange visions filled my brain, I was far away in sunny Africa, working in the diamond fields. I had been lucky, and in my belt I carried gems to pay a prince's ransom. How I guarded "my treasure from envious eyes, and strove to keep my sudden wealth a secret. But there was one who knew. His dark, malignant face haunted me, and his greedy eyes followed me everywhere. I sought to escape him, but it was useless. He was always on my track. Then 1 was on the ocean sailing home. Still my enemy pursued me, and wherever I looked I met his covetous gaze. How I hated him ! But my treasure was safe, and we were nearing home. Again the scene changed. The blue, blue waters of the ocean had given place to the snow-clad hills of my native land, and I was hurrying on foot to my home and friends. The air was filled with of bells. It was Christmas Eve. How slowly I walked, but at last, thank God," I could see the house. But eveu as I looked upon the cheerful light that beamed through the window a form sprang up between me and the light. It was my ancient enemy, and I read murder in his eyes as he raised his heavy stick. I threw up my arm to defend myself, and it fell shattered to my "side. Again the stick was raised, and then —all was blank and chaos reigned. Ido not know how long I lay with these strange visions passing through my head. Ido know, however, that I awoke suddenly, filled with the most intense feeling of horror, and springing from the bed hastily drew on some clothes and ran along the dark hall, I felt that I was rushing into danger.

On I went, up a dimly lighted stairway until the landing wast reached. Heaven! what a scene met my gaze! Upon the bed lay rny late benefactor, his gray hair dabbled in the blood that flowed from a wound in his forehead. Over him stood the mephistopheles of my vision, his greedy eyes burning with a fire that seemed utterly fiendish in its intensity. One sinewy hand grasped the old man’s throat while the other held aloft a gleaming dagger. Without pausing to consider the consequences of attacking an armed man with my bare hands, I sprang upon him like a tiger, a hatred, which it seemed to me I had cherished for years, venting itself in the fury of a moment. With a powerful effort I tore the dagger from his grasp, and strove to haul him to the floor, but he was a powerful man, fighting for his life, and defied my efforts. Clutched in a fierce embrace we fell upon the floor, oatching at each others throats, more like wild beasts Umn human beings. At last I succeeded in getting upEermost.and placing my knee against ia breast,gripped him by the throat. I would surely have strangled him,

lor I was nd wltbaraga, wheat, bra supreme effort, he tossed me asuU and gained his f«e.t. The next mo ment he raised me in his arms, and 1 was dashed with violence to the floor. When I came to my senses it seemed as if a cloud had been lifted from my brain. I looked about the room, and the first person my eyes rested upon was my father’s old friend, Dr. Leigh. “Why, Doctor,’'’ I exclaimed, “what has been the matter with me? It seems as if a short time ago I saw you here and yet I did not know you. What was wrong with me?” The doctor shook his head. “That’s a hard question, my boy. I suppose you remember that when you lost your fortune you were not content to staj here and allow me ta provide for you, and started for Africa or some other outlandish place to look for diamonds? Well, you went, and the next I saw of you, you were lying out there in the street with your head split open. That was a year ago, and you have not had a lucid moment until now. A week ago you quit raving, and appeared to be all right, excepting the strange faet that you seemed to have forgotten everything.” “But the diamonds, Doctor?” “The diamonds are safe, my boy., I placed them in the bank the day after you were brought here, and thus foiled that villain Brandon who would have murdered me but for you.” “He tried to steal them in Africa, and it was he who scattered my senses on that Christmas Eve. Did' he escape?” , “He is dead. He fell from thq ledge of the window in trying to escape and fractured his spine. ° “Well, I can’t say that i am sorry. He was a bitter enemy, and ever since I denounced him as a thief in Africa, he has followed me relentlessly. But where is Amy? Ah!” The door had suddenly opened, a lithe, girlish figure bounded towards me, and a pair of white arms were thrown caressingly around my neck. No wonder that I loved her even when my mind was darkened by the terrible blow that threatened to dethrone my reason, nor that her presence attracted me even when I knew not how to speak her name. That was not very strange, for she was my wife.