Wireless Message

by Ambrose Bierce

summer of 1896 Mr William Holt, wealthy manufacturer of Chicago, was living temporarily in little town of central New York, the name the writer's memory retained Mr Holt had had "trouble wife," from whom he had parted year before Whether the trouble was anything more serious than "incompatibility of temper," probably the only living person that knows: addicted vice of confidences Yet he has related the incident herein set down to one person without exacting pledge of secrecy now living in Europe

One evening he had left the house of brother whom visiting, for stroll country It assumed--whatever the value assumption in connection with said occurred-- that his mind was occupied with reflections domestic infelicities distressing changes had wrought life

Whatever may his thoughts, they so possessed him that he observed neither the lapse nor whither his feet were carrying him; only that he had passed far beyond the town limits and was traversing lonely region by road that bore no resemblance one he had left the village In brief, "lost "

Realizing his mischance, he smiled; central New York region of perils, nor does one long remain lost He turned about and went back the way that he had come Before he had gone far he observed landscape was growing more distinct--was brightening Everything was suffused with soft, red glow his shadow projected road before him "The moon is rising," to himself Then he remembered new moon, and tricksy orb was in one stages of visibility it had set long before He stopped and faced about, seeking the source rapidly broadening light As so, his shadow turned and lay along the road in front of him as before The light still came from behind him That was surprising; understand Again he turned, and again, facing successively to every point horizon Always the shadow was before--always the light behind, "a still and awful red "

Holt was astonished--"dumfounded" word that he used in telling it--yet seems retained certain intelligent curiosity To test the intensity light whose nature and cause determine, out his watch if make out the figures dial They were plainly visible, hands indicated the hour of eleven o'clock and twenty-five minutes moment the mysterious illumination suddenly flared to an intense, an almost blinding splendor, flushing the entire sky, extinguishing the stars and throwing the monstrous shadow of himself athwart the landscape unearthly illumination near him, but apparently air at considerable elevation, the figure wife, clad in her night-clothing and holding to her breast the figure child Her eyes were fixed upon his with an expression which he afterward professed himself unable to name or describe, further than "not life "

The flare was momentary, followed by black darkness, , however, the apparition still showed white and motionless; then by insensible degrees it faded and vanished, like bright image retina closing eyes peculiarity apparition, hardly noted , but afterward recalled, it showed only the upper half woman's figure: nothing was seen below the waist

The sudden darkness was comparative, not absolute, for gradually all objects environment became again visible

dawn morning Holt found himself entering the village at point opposite at which he had left it He soon arrived house brother, who hardly knew him wild-eyed, haggard, and gray as rat Almost incoherently, he related his night's experience

"Go to bed, my poor fellow," said his brother, "and--wait hear more "

An hour later came the predestined telegram Holt's dwelling in suburbs of Chicago destroyed by fire Her escape cut off flames, his wife had appeared at an upper window, her child in her arms There she had stood, motionless, apparently dazed Just firemen had arrived with ladder, the floor had given way, and she was seen no more

The moment culminating horror was eleven o'clock and twenty- five minutes, standard time