The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1854-11-15

TO tilnk ot the most persuasive
words she could -use to the man.
,nto whose power she had SO strange:
EIy faFIcH. FOR tie present, how
ever, she must be still, very still; she
must make no movement to betray
herself, lad perhaps he might overlook
her presence until daylight came, and
with it possible help. The night must
be far spent; she mus wai, aud hope.
She had not to wait long. The
creature moved again-stool upright
staggered towards the bed For
one moment-one drcadtnl moment
she saw his iaoe, his paic pinchcd
features, his flashing eyes, his black
brstliny hair; but thank God! he did
not sec her. She shrunk behind tire
curtains. He advanced to the bed,
slowly, hcsilalimgIy. and the cIanking
sounds of the broken chains fell men.
acingiy on hcr car. lie laid his hand
upon the curtains, aud, for u few mo.
rncnls, tnlnbled to find tho opening.
-lueSc moments were all in all to
Ellen Stirring. Despair sllarpcncd
her senses; she found that the other
side III the bed was not so close against
the wall but that she could pass be-
tween. Into The narrow space between
she contrived 70 slip noisclcssIy.
She had hardly accomplished the
| difficult feat, aud sheltered herself he.
| hnI the curtains, when the creature
hug Itself on the bed, aud, drawing
n,, lfl, ~ boS
II sound more like the whinnying OF
y horse than the laugh Ola human be-
ing.
For some little time Miss Stirling
stood III i'er narrow iidinS.placc, trcln.
bling with cold and terror, fearful!
least some unguarded mo.cm
should b"tray her, and bring down on
her Il fate she dared not contemplate.
She lifted UP her heart in pra, cr for
courage; and when her composure had
III some degree returned, it occurred
- her ,iia' il she could but reach tles
'....u'5.'. s:7c ii.'sEt irohiffihuG pos,fitJn:
possibly attract the attention of ..utnu
pasSrr by, aud be released from her
terrible durancc.
Very cautiously she attempted The
pcrilous experiment; her bare feet
moved nolselcss y across the floor, and
Il friendly ray OF moonlight guided
her safely towards the window. AS
she put her hand towards the curtains,
her heart gave u fresh bound of terror,
Tor 1t canlc IN contact with something
soft and warm. At length, however,
She remembered that She had tluuu
down her fur cloak in that spot, and
1t WAS mercy to come upnn it now,
when stic was chilled to the bone. She
wrapped it round her IL Il reached the
window without further adventure, or
alarm from the occupant OF the
bed, whose heavy. regular breathing
gave assurance that he WIS now
sound asccp.-Ihis was some com
fort. and she greatly needed it. The
ionk.out from the window was I'M, :
thing but inspiring. The stars still
sil"ne pcacc!''ly on the slccpi;,g earth;
thc moon still showed her paid Wis.
agr; n'ta sight or sound prcssaged
lawn; and after long listening in vain
for any sign of life in the outer, world.
she heard The stable clock strike four.
Only four!
She felt rs fit were impossible To
survive even another hour Of terror
such as she had just passed through.
Was there no hope! None.
She tried to.support herself against
the window frame, but her first toucl.
caused it to shake and creak it, IL man.
ner that seemed to her startlingy loud;
she iancicd that the creature moved
nnrnsiIy on its bed ut the sound. Drops
"faSomy fell from her brow, as minute
alter mlnntc woro heavily on. Eve,
: and anon \ rustic Of the bed clothes, OF
i: II slight clank of the malmced hands
sent IL renewed chill to her heart.
The clock struck five.
Still all willioat WIS silent. Sud.
denly, n mans whistle was heard il,
the court, and tho driver Of the mail
c"acn, lantern in hand, crossed tn,
yard towards the pavilion. Would
t" God sllo could call to him, or il,
any way attract his attention! but sI,,
! cared not make the slightest sound. ii,
looked up ut the window, agains
which lie almost brushed in passing
and ;hc light he held flashed on Mis-:
,, Strings cronchi,g figure. lie paused
looking again. and seemed about t,
speak, whom she hastily made Sign.
that he should be silent, but seek as
, sista"ce at tho house. He gave he
Il glance of intelligence, and hasten
I'd away.
How long his absence seemed
: Could he have understood he,2 Th,
) occupant Of the bed WAS growing eve
= ry instant more restless: he was r:siu.
from the bcd-hc was cropping roun,