The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-04-21

beating heart repetition of the movement, but II
did not come 1t must have been return OF the
nervous fancies which had twice assalled her al
ready that night. Laying her head once more on
The pillow, she determined to control her ground
less terrors.
Again she started up! This time there could
be no doubt; the bed had beaved more than once,
accompanied by strange gurgIng sound, as ii OF
a creature in pain. Leaning on her elbow, she
listened with that intensity oil lear which deslres'
almost much as it dreads recurrence OF the
sound that caused 1t. 1t came again, followed by
loud rustling noise as if some heavy body were
dragged from under the bed in the objection OF
the fire. What could it be? She long'd TO call
out for help, but her tongue clave TO The roof OF
her mouth, and the pulses in her temples hrobb"d
until she felt if their painful beating sounded in
the silence ofthe night like the loud tick of clock.
The unseen thing dragged itself along until it
reached the hearth-rug, where it flung Itself down
with violence. AS It did so, she heard the clank
of chain. Her breath came less painfully as she
heard it., for it occurred to her that the creature
might be nothing worse than the house dog, who
having broken his chain, has sought shelter be-
meath the bed in the warm room. Even this notion
was dsagreeabIe enough, but it nothing to
the vague terror which had hitherto oppressed her.
She persuaded herself that if she lay quiet no harm
would happen TO her, and the night would soon
pass over. Thus reasoning, she laid herself down
again.
By-and-by the creature began to snore, and it
struck her feverish fancy that the snoring was
not like that of dog. After little time, she
raised herself gently, and with trembling hands
drew back an inch or two Of the curtain, and
peered out, thinking that any certainty was better
than such terrible suspense. She looked towards
the fireplace, and there, sure enough, the huge
creature lay-a brown, hairy mass, but of what
shape it was impossible 10 divine, fltful was the
light, and so strangely it coiEed up the
hearth.mg. By-and- -bv, it began to stretch itself
out, open its eyes, which shone in the Pickering
ray OF the fire, and 10 raise its paws above its
hairy head.
Good God those are not paws They are
human hands; and dangling from the wrists
hang fragments of broken chains
A chill of horror froze Ellen Strings veins,
fash of the expiring fire showed her this
cearly--far too clearly--and the conviction
seized upon her mind, that she shut up with
escaped convict. An inward invocation TO
Heaven for aid rose from her heart as, with the
whole force Of her intellect, she endeavored to
survey the danger Of her position, and to think
of the most persuasive words she could 10 the
man into whose power she had so strangely fallen.
For the present, however, she must be still, very
still she must make no movement 10 betray her.
self; and perhaps he might overlook her presence
until daylight came, and with it, possible help.
The night must be far spent; she must wait, and
hope.
She had not to wait long. The creature
moved again--sood uprig ght--staggered towards
the bed. For one monochrome dreadful mo-
ment--she saw his face, his pale pinched features,
his flashing eyes, his black brstIing hair but,
thank God he did not see her. She shrunk be-
hind the curtains he advanced 10 the bed, slowly,
hestatingIy, aud the clanking sound of the broke n
chains fell menacingly her ear. He laid his
hands upon the curtains, and for few moments
fumbled 10 find the opening. These moments
were all in all 10 Ellen Sterling. Despair sharp
ened her senses: she found that the other side Of
the bed was not set close against the wall but
that she could pass between. Into the narrow
space between, she contrived to slip noiselessIy.
She had hardly accomplished the difficult feat,
and sheltered herself behind the curtains, when |
the creature flung itself on the bed, and drawing |
the bed-cIothes around him. uttered sound more
Ike the whinnyIng of horse than the laugh of
human being.
For some little time Miss Stirling stood in her |
narrow hiding place, trembling with cold and ter
ror fearful lest some unguarded movement should
betray her, and bring down on her a fate she
dared not contemplate. She lifted up her heart
in prayer for courage; and when her composurc
had in some degree returned, il occurred TO her
hat if she could but reach the window, she might
from that position, possibly, attract the attention
Of some Passers-by, and be released from her
errible durance.
Very cautiously she attempted the perious ex-
her bare feet moved noiselessIy across
he floor, and friendly ray of moonlight guided
Ter safely towards the window. AS she rut out
Ter hand towards the curtains, her heart gave a
resh bound Of terror for it came in contact with
soft and warm Al length, however.
he remembe red that she had flung down her fur
oak in that spot, and it mercy to come
pon it now, when she was chilled to the bone
She wrapped i; round her and reached the win
ow without further adventure, or any alarm from
he occupant Of the bed where heavy regular
reathing gave assurance that he was now sound
sleep. This was some comfort, and she greatly
eeded it, The lookout from the window was
nyihing but inspiring. The stars still shone
eaceluliy on the sleeping earth The moon still
howed her Pallid visage; not a sight sound
resaged dawn; and after long listening in vain ,
any sign Of life in the outer world she hcars!
re sta bic clock strike four.
Only four
She felt as il it were impossible TO survive even
mother hour of terror such as she had just passed
trough. Was there hope None.
She tried to support herself against the window
ame but her first touch caused i, 10 shake and
-eak in manner that seemed to her startling
ud she fancled that the creature moved uneasi.
Oh lis bed at the sound. Drops OF agony fell o
ON her brow minute after minute wore heavi- it
on ever and anon rustic of the be i-clo,hcs IT
a lnnk nF hn DIndh ha,, a.,