The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1860-06-01

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and thenaI saw the CLEAN of a longbladed5
knife in his hand Edidh't stir, or breathe.
while his head remained bent in the attitudes
of listening, so fearful was / Of betraying my
presence; and when he turned towards the
ladder again, and began, and carefully to
continue his ascent oh how thankful l
was.
l didn't comprehnd his business there. I
thought not 70 robbery. Of murder, or of, as
sassination. I was conscious of but two
thoughts in the world ,-and they flashed upon
me at the same instant there was danger
to myself in betraying my presence by the
faintest sound, and there was danger to Mr..
Fitz Harding, If remained without. some
effort to save him. -
Noiselessly, and oh how carefully, left
my seat, and retreated quietly bht stealthily
towards the door opening from the piazza
into the parlor, still keeping my eyes fixed
upon the man on the ladder; and when
within a'second's time I was in the house
bounded up the stairs leading to Mr. Fitx-
Harding's room with the speed Of lightn-
ing. I stood before the door, which was
partially open, and softly pushing it, gill.
ded in.The assassin was there before me.
At one single glance comprehended the
whole interior of that apartment. $50 in
tent was the man upon his murderous errand
that he did not hear me enter. There was
the open window by which he entered there
on the bed, wrapt in profound slumber, lay
the man whom loved, and for whom
was joyously going. to peril mysslife. II
that awful moment, while the would -be mur.
derer stood in halfstooping posture over
his intended victim, fendish smile light
ingnp his countenance, and the koife poised
ready for the blow, | could not tielp observ.:
ing how very beautiful Horace Fitz Harding
looked! His face was pale.and- his features
bad the smoothuess and regularity of chisel-
ed marble. His white eyelids were CLOSED
over his deep blue eyes, and his curling,
silkeu lashesdhywi.h the beauty of girl's
upon his pale cheeks, while his brown curly
hair was carelessly tossed back from his no.
blesbrow Touching the white pillow, like
dark gold2lying upon pure White velvet. =,
Apparently the would be assassin gloried
in knowing that it was one Of natures mas
ter pieces that he was about to deprive of
life; forsthe .fsndish smile upon his couu.
tenance deepened, he drew back the knife
to give more force to. the blow, and then as
sIysawsthe cleaning blade about to come
sdow6dpon ths white throat of the sleeping
man, I Uttered loud shrek and threw my.
self forward between the descending knife
and the intended victim. Fortunately that
wild cry somewhatsstaggered tie assassin,
for the blowfswsFved in its course, and
felt The cold steel enter the fleshy. part Of
my. arm abovslhe elbow, and then 1 tain-
ted.
= = ., ~
When recovered; sssas ) lying, on. tie
sofa downassit mamma, my ssistsrs, and
Mr.. <Fitz' 'Hstdjng all standing round me,
with dressing gowns and shawls hastily don.
ned, all lookings Wild apdsterifed assmy-
SELF =. = - - 80 t5s
I.didnt know-th meaning of it all al
first but whsEr saw my arm bandaged and
felt the dull pain oft, and saw all the blood
stains upon my dress, remembered.
Are you safe 2 / asked of Fitz- Harding
before Ispoke to any one else, and tbed' to
my mother. is he quite, unbarmsd nam,
mat
Quite'so, love- and She stopped down
Eand kissed ms' and Fiszs: q Harding hasteDed
up to NE, and said !: q. sS2se-:
YES, totally unharmed and untouched
Miss Dartie.' .z ssi6s =
That. was all4 @siias6adf6 beaf, and wa.
we'd him back, yhen he continued: How
|'am I.eysr TO !bank yousfor- preserving my
lIs asfor, had il not beensfor you, asneuld
undoubtedly have besh murdered r
I wanted no thanks, not ssword Iwau.
ted TO hear not another word, for knew
that fcould never:beat lapnly ~ord s6ni
him that would have been life aud happi-.
ness TO me. ~ .. .ff.. - 2
~Lo they cafried mssup; to. my own roopl
and x6ea the doctopcame, and my arm hsa
been properly dre spd Iswss.sphicieSay
| recovered to hear :aif That had passed ,sfter
l had tainted, mamma ssnt my si:as asis sii to
bsasgsf6, add toid,mre Of it. -
It appearsd'tbat ny orS had awakened
Mr. Fitz,Hardiug at the very mspent tbat
! tainted and before he could remove mo.
and attack the - who had ATTEMPTED kis
s, the assassin bud escaped by ateopsp
Hipdow; ;:batnot before FitsHaa.dirr sd
reeegaissd him as;a : mea amsnl. Via ;Nxsa
hiR ssoms S. eshs M s
i|sgly !. & 6