Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1854-06-29

id some degree rstnrned, i occurred 60 her
that Il she could but reach the window, she
might from that position, possibly attract
tie attentioa Of seine passers By, and 30 re-
leased from her terrible durance.
Very cautiously she attempted the peril.
GUS experiment her bare feet moved noise
lessly across the aoor, and friendly ray Of
moonlight guided her safely towards the
window As she put out her hand towards
the curtain, her heart gave fresh bound OF
terror. il came in contact with something
soft and warm. AT length however, she re-
membered that she had flung down her fur
cloak 10 that spot, and it was mercy TO
come upon ii now, when she was chilled to
the bone. She wrapped it round her and
reached the window without farther adven,
ture. OF any alarm from the occupant of the
bed whose heavy regular breathing gave
aSkrrnnas that he waa nov, sound esleeP -
! This was some comfort, and she greatly need
ed It The look out frem the window was
but inspiriting. The stars still shone peace
/ fully on tha sleeping earth the moon still
showed ,her pallid visage: nota sight nor
sound presaged dawn ; and after long lis,
tening il vain for any sign Of life in the out
erfyorld, she heard the stable clock strike
four
Only foun
| She felt as lift were impossible to survive
even another hour Of terror such as she had
Just passed through. Was there no hope ?
Nope.
She tried to support herself against the
window frsgne, but her first touch caused it
to shake and ereak in manner that seemed
to her startling loud she fancied that the
creature moved uueasily on its bed at the
sound Drops of agony fell from her brow
as minute after minute wore heavily on ;
ever aud anon a rustic Of the bed clothes, OF
slight clank of the manacled hands, sent
renewed chill to her heart.
The CLOCK struck FIVE
Still all without was silent. Suddenly I
mans whistle was heard in the court, anc
the driver of the mail coach, lantern in hand
crossed thes yard towards the pavilion. :
Would to God she could call to him, or il
any way attract his attention but she dare'
not make the slightest sound He looked
up nc the window, against which he almos
| brushed in passing and the light be helt
flashed on Miss Strings crouching figure
{ He paused. looked again, and seemed abou
/ to sneak when she hastily made signs tha
J he should be silent, but seek assistance q
t the house. lie gave her glance Of inte
6 ligercc and fastened away.
: How long bis absence seemed Coul
he have understood herr The occupant {
. the bed was growing every Instant more an
c more restless he was rising from a.
!. bed he was cropping round the room. The
i would come too late. too late
j. But no steps in the courtyard-the he
s turning in the lock-the door opeus-the
a. with yell that rang in Ellens Strings e
J unfit her dying day, the creature rushed
~ -harthiding-place, dashed the slight windoN
= ofL;- md q hinAself- halL3
= iron bars outside, turneu, IKE wlId pea!
d on his pursuers She was the first on whe
le his giance fell He clasped her throat
IN face was close to hers his glittering ey
Of were glaring at her in frenzy when BIZ
from behind feled him
D. She awoke from long swoon to find ht
e self safe III Mrs Atherton's dressing roo
lie and to hear that no one was hurt but /
b poor maniac. aud that he was again in Il
c. charge of his keepers, from whom ho h'
g escaped few hours beforee
v "a few heursl A life time, Mary Bl
e Heaven be thanked, it is passed like wi
is dream.
IS ItIwas not all past One enduring effe
d remained, ever after to imprint on Ell
r Strings memory, and on the memories
ID all who knew her, the event Of that lol
in night Such had been her suffering, anx
If ty and terror, that. in those few hour, her b;
had turned, as white as snow.