The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-04-21

that IL che could but reach the window, she
might from that position, possibly, attract
tbe attention OF some passefs.by, and be re-
leased from her ierribls durance. y .ai'a.-
Very cauliousl y she attempted the peril.
ous experiment; her bare fee, moved
noiselessly across the floor, and friendly
ray OF moonlight guided her safely towards
the window. And she put her hand TO-
wards the curtains, her heart gave fresh
boand OF terror, for il came in contact with
something soii and warm. Al length, how.
ever, she remembered that she had fiung
down hel lur cluak IN that spot, and il was
mercy 10 come upon IL now, when she
was chilled 10 the bone. She wrapped il
round her aud reached The wnn,ow without
furfer adventure, or any alarm from the
occupan, of lie bed; whose heavy, regu.
lar brealhing gave assurance That he was
now sound asleep. This was some comfort,
and she greatly needed il. The lookout
from The window was anything but inspiiil-
ing. The slars still shone peacefully OF,
the sleeping earth The moon siill showe,l
her palIid vis-age not siahi or a souil,I
p esaged dawn; and after loig listening in
vain for any sign of life in. The onIer world,
she heard The stable clock strike four. -.
Only four! y 4j'i '.'.i ''-
,,, Sh. ,felias ifit were impossible TO sur.
vive even anOiher hour OF iefror such ~.
she had just passed through. Was there no
hOre' None.
She tried 10 support herself agains, the
window-frame, but her FIST Touch caused II
10 shake aud crcnk IN d manner that seem.
ed tn her slarllinsIy loud she fancied that
the creature moved uhcasily on its bed al
the sound. Drops Of agony fell from her
brow ~ minute alier minute wore heavily
on; ever aud anon a rustic ofihe bed-cloth-
es, OF a sli3h, clank ofihe manacled hands.
sent renewed chill 10 her heart. ''
The clock ruck fye.
Still all without was silent. Suddenly n
mali's viii tie was heard in the couri, and
the driver of the mail.coach, lantern il,
hand, crossed the yard towards The pavilion.
Wond 10 God she could Gallo HIM. or IN
auy way attract his attention! but she dare,l
not make The slightest sound. He looked
up al The window, agails, which he almost
brushed in passing; and the lishi he held,
flashed on Miss Stirli,ig's clouchng figure
He paused, !o"ked again. and seemed about
Ia speak, when she hrsiiy male signs that
he should be silent, bui seek assisiance n,
The house. He gave her glance Of i..ielli'
gence, and haslened away. l.,s ..'.''d
How long his absence seemed. Coul,
he have understood herl The occupant o
the bed was growing every instant more
and more restless; he was rising from The
bed--he was cropping round The ROOM
They would come TOO late, TOO late!
But no steps in the courtyard = the key
turning in The lock-the door opens-then
with yell that rang in Ellen Slitling's eal
until her dying day, The creature rushed Ia
her hidng-place, dashed The slight Window
frame 10 pieces. and finding himself baul
ked ofhis purposed escape by The strength
Of The iron bars outside. turiied like will
beast, on his pursners. She wns The frs
on whom his glance iell He clasped he
throat, his fare was close 10 hers; his elil
,ering eyes were glaring nj her in iienzy-
when blow from behind felled him.
She awoke from long swoon TO fin,
herself safe in Mrs. Alherion's dressing
room, and TO hear that no one was hurt bu
The poor maniac, and that he was again il
The charge Of his keepers, from whom h,
had escaped few honrs before. ,..u-
GA few hours! a lifetime, Mary! But
Heaven he thanked, il is past like vii,
Dream"
], was not all past. One enduring effec
remained ever after, 10 imprint on Eller
Strings memory, and on the memories o
all who knew her, The event of that Ion:
night. Such had been her suffering. ansi
ely and terror. that, il these few hours, he
hair had turned as white as snow. -