The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-03

paling; and had not Oeeu uei 'eu " ~
success in the struggle with the lnkeeper
I think they would have struck with lear;
They were bright with magnetic light, ana
[ could see that the yellow ring was the
brightest Of oil. For an instant was mo-
tionless, fascinated rs l was by this re-
markable gaze, and in that instant third
fash of lightning lit up her savage counte,
nance. As she stood where she halted
when I turned upon her, the lightning
flashed through the window full into hcr
face. It was horrible.
Suddenly, as the light leaped back, as it
were, through the window, she rose TO ner
full height and darted upon me. Inc
lightning had not entirely gone out before
saw that she carried in her hand, not o
coarse knife, but long, slender dagger,
| which threw back the brightness from
surface of the highest polish. in the DARK
ness that followed / saw this weapon gleaHl
over her head, and her eyes rlvalled IN thelr
briliancy the fash that had SHOWN US 70
each other.
To my establishment, just as | was pre-
pairing for the attack flor it was Impossible
for me to be the attacking party in TINS
easel, she dropped her arm, and subdulng
her voice to savage persuasiveness, e1.
claimed, "Stranger, ye be bold man !!
Live here, and we'll get rid Of the o!d
ONE"
AS J look back on the strange scene l
am convinced that her singular action was
the result of one of those sudden changes
which come over women of her stamp, as
they do over the savage race, she having
seen as much of me in that brief illuml-
nation as many would in a lifetime. Her
companion in crime was nothing more TO
her, and in the reaction of her feelings the
man who slew him was to her of greater
power. There was no love between them,
and was the one left, whose action, II not
appearance, was satisfactory to her fear
less nature.
7 saw that am convinced that such was
her feeling when she paused and spoke
those words to me, though | leave my
readers to form their own opinion On the
matter.
Whatever may have been her thought:
and feelings, it is certain that looked
upon this change of movement as bit o.
strategy, and acted accordingly.
It accomplished one object agreeable tt
me. il saved me from attempting the life
of a woman, which, under those circum
stances even, was not an agreeable act o
necessity.
NV answer vas prompt, and its prompt
ness was what probably took her OH hel
guard. 7 sprang forward, and hurting me-
against the wall, rushed by, and ere SHE
could recover from her surprise, was on
of the door-which they had opened b.
some process best known to themselves
and down the stairs. 7 lost no time IL
preparing my horse for continuance o
nv Journey in the still raging storm.
Ipushed my way along till morning, ant
then at the first settlement related my al
venture. l could not spare time to go bact
with the party who started for the inn
neither did l believe their errand would
amount to anything. I afterward Learned
that they found the inn in ashes, with TIT
charred remains Of the landlord amonI
them. Either the woman or the lightnln!
had done the work. AS the woman ha
never been discovered, the whole affair i
still enshroudeG in mystery.