Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-04-06

Good God these sre not paws They are hu-
man hands; and dangling from the wrists hang
| fragments of broken chains
A chill of horror froze Ellen Strings veins as
a fash Of the expiring fire showed her this clear
ly-far too clearly-and the conviction seized up
| on her mind that she was shut up with an esca-
ped convict. An inward invocation to Heaven
for aid, rose from heart, as with the whole force
of her intellect, she endeavor to survey the dan.
| ger of her position, and to think Of the most
! persuasive words she could use to the man into
| whose power, she had so strangely fallen. For
the present, however, she must be stil very still;
| she must make no movement to betray herself;
and perhaps he might overlook her presence until
daylight came, and with it, possibly help. The
night must be far spent she must wait, and
hope.
She had not to wait long. The creature NOV
ed again-stood uprght-staggered towards the
bed. For one Monochrome dreadful moment
she saw his face his pale pinched features, his
flashing eyes, his black bristling hair but, thank
God he did not see her. She shrunk behind
the curtains ne advanced to the bed, slowly
hesitstingly, and the clauking sound of the bro
ken chains fell menacingly on her ear. He laid
his hand upon the curtains, and, for q few mo-
ments fumb to find the opening. These mo
ments were all in all to Ellen Stirling. Despair
sharpened her senses: she found that the other
side Of the bed was not set so close against
the wall but that she could pass between. Into
the narrow space between she contriyed to slip
noiselessly.
She had hardly accomplished the difficult feat
and sheltered herself behind the curtains when
the creature flung itself On the bed, and drawing
the bedcloths round him, uttered sound more
like the whinnying of horse than tie laugh OF
human being.
For somc little time Miss Stirling stood in her
narrow hiding-plsce, trembling with cold and
terror, fearful lest some unguarded movement
| should betray her, and bring down her fate
she dared not contemplate She lifted up her
| heart In prayer for courage; and when her com
posure had in some degree returned, it occurred
to her that if she could but reach the window
she might from that position, possibly attract
| the attention of some passers-by, and be releas-
ed from her terrible durance.
Very cautioueSy she attempted the perilous
experiment; her bare feet moved noiseessly a.
cross the floor, and friendly ray of moonlight
guided her safely towards the window. As she
put out her hand towards the curtains, her heart
gave q fresh bound of terror, for it came in con-
| tact with something soft and warm. at length,
however, she remembered that she had flung
down her fur cloak in that spot, and it was q
mercy 10 come upon it now, when she was chill
led 20 the bone. She wrapped it round her and
reached the window without further adventure,
or any alarm from the occupant ofthe bed whose
heavy regular breathing gave assurance that he
was now sound asleep. This was some comfort,
| and she greatly needed it. The look from
/ the window was anything but inspiring. The
stars still shone peacefully the sleeping earth;
| the moon still showed her palIid visage net 2
| sight or sound presaged dawn; 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 as if it were impossible to survive
| even another hour of terror such as she had
just passed through Was there not any hope
None.
She tried to support herself against the win
dow frame but her first touch caused it to shake
and cresk in manner that seemed to her start
Iingly loud; she fancied that the creature moved
uneasily on it's bed at the sound. Drops Of ago
nv fell from her brow as minute after minute
wore heavily on; ever and anon rustic Of th'
: bed-clothes, or a slight clank Of the manacleC
hands. sent a renewed chill to the heart.
The clock struck five.
I Still all without was silent Suddenly, man.
whistle was heard in the court, and the driver o
the mail-coach, lantern in hand, crossed the yar'
towards the pavilion Would to God she coul'
call to him, or in any way attract his attention
8 but she dared not make the slightest sound II
looked UP at the window, against which he a
most brushed in passing and the light he hel
flashed on Miss Strings crouching figure Ii
naused looked again, and seemed about 90 spea
when she hastily made signs that he should /
silent, but seek assistance at the house. L
: gave her glance of intelligence and hastene
=. away.
How long his absence seemed - Could he ha'
&C understood her? The occupz1o-S 81 The bed W;
3 growing every instant more and more restless
&c he was rising from the bed-he was gropir
5 round the room. They would come too late, t.
u late!
But no! steps in the courtyard-the key tur
ct ing in the lock-the door opens-then with
1t veil that rang in Ellen Sairngs ear until her d
id ing day. the creature rushed to her hiding pla
dashed the slight window-frame to pieces, a
it finding himself baul1ed of his purposed esS ,
as bv the strength of the iron bars outside, turn'
ne like a wild beast on his pursuers. She was
ds' first on whom his glance fell He clasPed
nd throat his face close to hers; his glitter
It. ewes were glaring at her in frenzy when bl
o. from behind felled him.
he She awoke from a long swoon to ind hers
of safe in Mrs. Atherton's dressing-room, and
z