The music ceased; rather, it became by insensible degrees the distant roll of retreating thunderstorm landscape, glittering with sun and rain, stretched before him, arched with vivid rainbow, framing in its giant curve hundred visible cities middle distance vast serpent, wearing crown, reared its head out voluminous convolutions and looked at him dead mother's eyes Suddenly this enchanting landscape seemed to rise swiftly upward, like the drop scene at theater, and vanished in blank Something struck him hard blow face and breast He had fallen floor; the blood ran broken nose bruised lips For moment dazed and stunned, and lay with closed eyes, his face against the door In he had recovered, and then realized that his fall, by withdrawing his eyes, had broken the spell which held him that now, by keeping his gaze averted, to retreat But the thought serpent within few feet head, yet unseen--perhaps very act of springing upon him and throwing its coils about his throat--was too horrible He lifted his head, stared again into those baleful eyes, and was again in bondage

The snake moved, and appeared somewhat lost its power imagination; the gorgeous illusions of before repeated Beneath that flat and brainless brow its black, beady eyes simply glittered, as at first, with an expression unspeakably malignant as creature, knowing its triumph assured, had determined to practice no more alluring wiles

Now ensued fearful scene The man, prone floor, within yard enemy, raised the upper part body upon his elbows, his head thrown back, his legs extended full length His face was white between its gouts of blood; his eyes were strained open uttermost expansion froth upon his lips; it dropped off in flakes Strong convulsions ran through his body, making almost serpentine undulations He bent himself waist, shifting his legs from side to side And every movement left him little nearer snake He thrust his hands forward to brace himself back, yet constantly advanced upon his elbows

IV

Dr Druring wife sat library The scientist was in rare good humor

" just obtained, by exchange with another collector," , "a splendid specimen Ophiophagus "

"And what may that be ? " the lady inquired with somewhat languid interest

"Why, bless my soul, what profound ignorance ! My dear, man who ascertains after marriage that his wife know Greek, is entitled to divorce The Ophiophagus is snake which eats other snakes "

" eat all yours," she said, absently shifting the lamp "But how does it get the other snakes ? By charming them, I suppose "

" just like you, dear," said the doctor, with an affectation of petulance " how irritating is any allusion vulgar superstition snake's power of fascination "

The conversation was interrupted by mighty cry which rang silent house like the voice of demon shouting in tomb Again and yet again it sounded, with terrible distinctness They sprang feet, the man confused, the lady pale and speechless with fright Almost echoes last cry had died away the doctor was room, springing up the staircase two steps corridor, in front of Brayton's chamber, he met some servants who had come upper floor Together they rushed door without knocking unfastened, and gave way Brayton lay upon his stomach floor, dead His head and arms were partly concealed under the foot rail bed They pulled the body away, turning it back The face was daubed with blood and froth, the eyes were wide open, staring--a dreadful sight !

"Died in fit," said the scientist, bending his knee and placing his hand heart While position he happened to glance under the bed "Good God ! " he added; "how did this thing get in here ? "

He reached under the bed, pulled out the snake, and flung it, still coiled, center room, whence, with harsh, shuffling sound, it slid across the polished floor till stopped wall, where it lay without motion stuffed snake; its eyes were two shoe buttons

From "Tales of Soldiers and Civilians," by Ambrose Bierce Copyright, 1891, by E L G Steele

Edgar Allan Poe

The Oblong Box

, I engaged passage from Charleston, S C, city of New York, fine packet-ship "Independence," Captain Hardy We were to sail fifteenth month (June), weather permitting; and fourteenth, I went on board to arrange some matters in my stateroom

that we were passengers, including more than usual number of ladies list were several acquaintances, and among other names, rejoiced that of Mr Cornelius Wyatt, young artist, for whom I entertained feelings of warm friendship He with me fellow-student at C---- University, where we were together He had the ordinary temperament of genius, and was compound of misanthropy, sensibility, and enthusiasm qualities he united the warmest and truest heart which ever beat in human bosom

I observed that his name was carded upon THREE state-rooms; and, upon again referring list of passengers, that he had engaged passage for himself, wife, and two sisters--his own The state-rooms were sufficiently roomy, and each had two berths, one above the other These berths, , were so exceedingly narrow be insufficient for more than one person; still, comprehend why there were THREE staterooms four persons , just epoch, in one moody frames of mind which make man abnormally inquisitive about trifles: and I confess, with shame, that I busied myself in variety of ill- bred and preposterous conjectures about supernumerary stateroom no business , , but with none the less pertinacity did I occupy myself in attempts to resolve the enigma At last I reached conclusion which wrought in me great wonder why I arrived at it before " servant ," ; "what fool , not sooner thought of so obvious solution ! " And then I again repaired list--but here distinctly that NO servant was party, although, , it the original design to bring one-- words "and servant" first written and then over-scored "Oh, extra baggage, ," I now said to myself--"something he wishes not put hold-- something kept under his own eye--ah, it--a painting or so--and what he bargaining about with Nicolino, the Italian Jew " This idea satisfied me, and I dismissed my curiosity nonce

Wyatt's two sisters , and most amiable and clever girls they were His wife he had newly married, and I had never yet seen her He had often talked about her in my presence, however, and usual style of enthusiasm He described her as of surpassing beauty, wit, and accomplishment , therefore, quite anxious her acquaintance

day I visited the ship (the fourteenth), Wyatt and party were also to visit it--so the captain informed me--and I waited on board an hour longer than I had designed, in hope of being presented bride, but then an apology came " Mrs W was little indisposed, and would decline coming on board until to-morrow, hour of sailing "

The morrow having arrived, going from my hotel wharf, when Captain Hardy met me and said that, "owing to circumstances" (a stupid but convenient phrase), "he rather thought the 'Independence' sail for , when all was ready, send up and let me know " This strange, for stiff southerly breeze; but as "the

circumstances" forthcoming, although I pumped with much perseverance, I had nothing but to return home and digest my impatience at leisure

receive the expected message captain for nearly week It came , however, and I immediately went on board The ship was crowded with passengers, and every thing was bustle attendant upon making sail Wyatt's party arrived in about ten minutes after myself There were the two sisters, the bride, artist--the latter in one customary fits of moody misanthropy too well used , however, them any special attention even introduce me wife;--this courtesy devolving, per force, upon his sister Marian-- very sweet and intelligent girl, who, in few hurried words, made us acquainted

Mrs Wyatt closely veiled; and when she raised her veil, in acknowledging my bow, I confess that very profoundly astonished I much more so, however, long experience advised me not to trust, with too implicit reliance, the enthusiastic descriptions friend, the artist, when indulging in comments loveliness of woman When beauty theme, I well knew with what facility he soared regions purely ideal

The truth is, help regarding Mrs Wyatt as decidedly plain-looking woman positively ugly, she was not, , very far She was dressed, however, in exquisite taste-- and then I had that she had captivated my friend's heart more enduring graces intellect and soul She said very few words, and passed at once into her state-room with Mr W