The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-05-11

AOA OACOs 4O bo u SllSlI WOIIIly
the praises of IN epicure. When you
have Toasted, and surfeited, and tasted
the delicate Wand, I will cut out yom'
perfidous heart and place it on the
silver dish, beside the other. You
loved each other so we'll in life, why
should death divide you? Ha! ha!
it would be cruel. I could never do
it. When the two hearts lie there
together, then will be my time for en-
joyinga q rare sight. NY mission on
earth will then be fulfilled"
Here he paused in his horrible raw
ings, but only for a moment; for al
most instantly the cunning and mali
cious expression of his countcnance
was intensified, if possible, and ap-
preaching nearer to me, his malig-
nant eyes peering into n6pe, hisscd,
with compressed lips, these terrible
words into my ear:
"Would you like to see tho instru-
ment which is to accomplish such
bloody deeds? 1t is worthy it's call
ing. Oh, it is beauty-never was
sharper steel! But it is no stranger
to you.
While he was delivering himself of
these words, he thrust his hand into
one of his pockets, and drew forth q
package, neatly done up in paper,
with an under-covering of oil silk.
Having carefully removed the string
which tied it, a morocco case or box
was displayed, with q small square
silver plate on the top. On this plate
was distinctly visible the initials GA.
G. NJ" He contemplated the box
with the most intense satisfaction,
seeming fairly to gloat over it with
inexpressible delight. Pointing to
the plate with his finger, he directed
my attention to the initials.
''See there; I had them engraved
on this hox to remind me of my
work, should my detcrminatio ever
faltcr. But the precaution was unnc-
cessary; they are already engraved in
lines of fire and blood on my soul. "
Touching n spring, the case flew
open, and within lay displayed to my
Mortified vision, murderous- looking,
long-bladed knife. eff You do not
remember that cold moonlight night
and the dead body, perhaps you will
recognize this" he screamed, with
his maniac laugh; and with the words
he caught me violently by the arms,
and held the knife before my eyes
Closer, closer, until the cold steel
touched my check! A sickening sen
sation of horror and fright ovcrpow-
cred me. For, q time-I know not
how long-I was insensiblc to the
rawlings and the movements of my
companion. It must have been only
momentary respite, for when the
power of observation returned, he
was shaking me violently, with the
knife firmly grasped in one hand, the
blade at my throat, while, with n
threatening voice, he was wildly re-
pcating, "Whcrc is he? Where is
the villain? Tell -me-tcll mc-or I
cutI'
"Iie is in c." scarcely able to
articulate, and not knowing what I
said. The words were uttered on the
spur of the moment.
''Do you swear it?" he exclaimed.
eyes, 1 swear it," I answered, al
most dead with fright.
"Ha! ha! That is your STYLE of
swearing. I'll teach you mine; 1
don't manage it exactly like other
folks. Here, kiss this knife, in lieu
Of the Bible-kiss it.; it is more ap-
propriatc thing for you, and repeat
the oath after me-"
So l touched tho foul, polluted
thing, all discolorcd with human
blood, as it was, to my lips, and re-
peated after him these horrible words:
81 swear by God above, 1 swear by
Heaven, by hell and the devil, by my
own soul and by my own damnation,
that the mamie whom l love-is in
the city of c."
After this ceremony was completed,
he seemed to grow calm, and pro-
ceedcd to place the knife carefully
back in the case, regarding it the
while with a wistful, lingering look,
as lover does the miniature of the
beloved object. dared not move-I
was afraid even to breathe. For n
time, he appeared to be oblivious of
my presence, buC kept his hand on
the knife, muttering to himself inco-
herent expressions. They grew more
connected in little while.
"You perceive it is not bright-it
does not glitter! Ha! ha! how could
it? 1t has never been washed. His
blood shall cleanse it. These dark spots
you see arc blood-dry and hard
now-when I pulled-hush!- !-hush!'
And he looked around suspiciously,