The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-10-16

terror, for il came in contact with something
soft and warm. At length. however, she
remembered that she had flung down her
fur cloak in that spot. and it WAS . mercy
to come upon it now when she was chilled
to the bone. She wrapped il round her and
reached the window without further advent.
ure, or any alarm from the occupant of the
bed: whose heavy. regular breathing gave
assurance that he was now sound asleep.-
This was some comfort. and she greatly
needed it. The lookout from the window
was anything but inspiri.iog. The stare
still shone peacefully on the sleeping earth;
the moon still showed her pallid visage; not
q 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 sur
yive even another hour Of terror suoh as
she had just passed. through. Was there
no hope? None.
She tried 10 support herself against the
window frame. but her first touch caused it
to shake and creak 10 . manner that seemed
to her startlingly loud; she fancied that tho
sound. Drops Of agony fell from her brow.
and anoa . rustic of the bsd-elothes. or =
slight cl4nk OF the man acled hands. sent .
renewed chilli to her heart.
The clock struck Eve.
Still all without was silent. Suddenly q
mans whistle was heard 10 the court. and
the driver of tho mail l-coach, lantern 10
hand. crossed the yard towards tho pavilion
Would to God ehe could call to him. or 10
any way attract his attention ! bat she dared
no, make the slightest sound. He looked
up at the window. against which he almost
brushed in passing; and the light he held.
flashed on Miss Ssirling's crouching figure.
He paused. looked again. and seemed about
to speak. whsn she hastily made signs that
he should be silent. but seek assistance At the |
house. He gave her q glance of intslli-
gence. and hastensd away.
How lon4 his absence seemed! Could he !
have understood hsr! The occupant OF
the bed was growing every instant more
and moro restless; he was rising from the
bed-he WAS cropping around the room
They would come too late. 700 lato!
But no! steps in the eoursy ard-ths key
turned in the lock-the door opens-then {
with yell that rang in Elrxs Stirling's ear
until her dying day. the creature rushed to
her hiding place, dashed the slight window
frame to pieces. and finding himself baulk.
ed of his purposed escape by the strength Of
the iron bars outside. turned. like . Wild
beast. on his pursuers. She wss the first
on whom his glsnce fell. He clasped her
throat; his face was close to hers; his gilt.
Iering eyes were glaring at her in frenzy;
" hen . blow from behind felled him.
She awoke from . long swoon ty 6nd her
self safe in Mrs. Atherton's dressing soom.
and to hear that no ono was hurt but the
poor maniac. and that he was again 10 tho
charge Of his keepers. from whom he had
escaped but . few hours before.
" A few hours A lifetime. Mary But
Heaven be thanked. it has past like wild
dream!"
1t Was not all past. One enduring effect
remained, ever after TO imprint on Ellen
Stirliug's memory. and on tho memories Of
all who knew her. the event of that long
night. Such had been her suffering. ans
ETY., and terror, that in those few hours her
hair had turned as white as snow.