Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-08-20


on the following morning, and when the
friends retired to rest on the previous night,
Sabina withdrew the window curtains, to
gaze upon the glorious landscape which
stretched far away, all bathed in silver ra-
dance, and she soon fell into tranquil
slumber, communing with holy thoughts and
prayerful aspirations. She was suddenly
faWaked by curious kind of sound in the
room, accompanied by half-stihed jeering
laugh. She knew not how long sleep had
lulled her in oblivion, but when Sabina turn
ed round to see from whence the sound pro-
ceeded, imagine her horror and dismay at
beholding Lady St. Elan standing near the
door, sharpening large knife on her slip
per, looking wildly round now and then,
muttering and jibing.
"Not sharp enough yet-not sharp enough
yet, she exclaimed, intently pursuing her
occupation.
"Sabina felt instinctively, that this was
no practical joke she knew instlnctlvely
the dread reality-by the maniac's eye-by
the tone of voice-aqd she sprang from the
bed, darting towards the door. 1t was lock-
ed. Lady ST. Elan looked cunningly up,
muttering,-
$50 YOU thought was so silly, did you ?
But | double-loclled it, and threw the key
out of the window; and perhaps you may
spy it out in the moonshine you're so fond
tef aGmiring, pointing to an open easement,
at an immense height from the ground
for this apartmentyas at the summit OF a tur-
ret, commanding an extensive view, cho-
sen for that reason, as well as for its seclu-
sion and repose, being so far distant from
the rest of the household.
"Sabina was not afflicted with weak
nerves, and as the full danger of her posi-
ton flashed across her mind, she remem-
bered to have heard that the human eye
possesses extraordinary power to quell and
keep in abeyancc all unrulv passions thus
terrifcally displayed. She was also aware,
that in a contest where mere bodily energy
was concerned, her powers must prove ut
terly inadequate and unavaling, when
brought into competition with those OF the
unfortunate lady during continuance OF
the paroxysm. Sabina feigned calmness
which she was far from feeling at that try
inc moment, and though her voice trembled,
vet she said cheerfully, and with careless
air.
oIthiak your knife will soon be sharp
enough, Lady St. Elan; what do you want
it for?'
"What do l want it for ? mimicked the
madwoman 'why what should want II
for. Sabina, but to cut your throat with 2?
l ssWell that is an odd fancy exclaimed
Sabina. endeavoring not to scream or to
faint; but you had better sit down, for the
, knife is not sharp enough for that job--there
, there's a chair. Now give me- your atten-
: ton while you sharpen and sharpen, and
Til sit opposite you; for have had such
an extraordinary dream, and want you to
: listen to it.
: The lady looked maliciously sly, las much
f as to say, You shall not cheat me-, if | do
listen But She sat down, and Sabina op-
posite to her, who began pouring forth
/ farrago of nonsense, which she pretended
> to have dreamt Lady st. Elan had always
t been much addicted perusing works Of
| romantic fiction, and this taste for the mar
$ vellous was, probably, the means of saving
| Sabina's life, who during that long and aw-
: full night never tagged for one moment
t continuing her repetition of marveis in the
.Ara6ian .Nghts style. The maniac sat per-
fecty STILL with the knife in one hand, the
slipper in the other, and her eyes intently
fixed on the narrator. Oh those weary,
weary hours When. at length, repeated
signals and knocks were heard at the cham
r ber-door, as the morning sun arose, Sablna
had presece of mind not to notice them, as
her terrible companion appeared not to dc
, so; but she continued her sing-song, mo-
notonous strain, until the barrier was fairly
burst open and st. Elan himself, who had
Just returned, alarmed at the Portentous
murmurs within, and accompanied by sew
era domestics, came to the rescue.
"Had Sa6lna moved, or screamed toI
} help, or appeared to recognize the aid which
was at hand, ere it could have reached her,
the knife might have been sheathed in her
l heart. This knife was foreign one OF
| quaint workmanship, usually hanging up in
, st. Elan's dressing-room and the premed-
5 itation evinced in thus secreting it was q
5 mystery not to be solved. Sabina's hair
was black as the ravens wing, when she
retired to rest on that fearful night, was
changed to the similitude of extreme age
t when they found her in the morning. La
, DIV st. Elan never recovered this sudden
a and total overthrow of reason, but died-a
/ las it was rumored, by her own hand
e within two years afterwards. The intan
heress was entrusted to the guidance Of
; her mothers friend and governess; she be-
came an orphan at an early age, and on
r completing her twenty-frst year was un
! controled mistress of the fortunes and es
: tates of her ancestors.
: ''But long ere that period arrived, Sc
:. rious question had arisen in Sabina's mine
: respecting the duty and expediency of In
: forming Mary St. Elan what her true posi-
/. ton was, and gently imparting the sac
t knowledge Of that visitation overshadownG
$ the destinies of her race. 1t was true tha
t in her individual case the catastrophe might
t be warded off, while, on the other hand
= there was lurking threatening danger but
1 high religious principle seemed to demand
1 sacrifice, or self-immola ton, in order tc
2 prevent the possibility of perpetuatlon O.
. the dreful malady.
1 "Sabina felt assured that were her noble
: hearted pupil once to learn the facts, there
: would be no hesitation on her part in strict
ly adhering to the prescribed line OF right
: it was bitter task for Sabina to undertake
but she did not shrink from performing il
when her resolution became matured, anc
? her scruples settled into decision, iormec