The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-25

self superintended the removal OF Rivers to
bedchamber before seeking my own one 10
up, upon the fourth floor.
The swarLhy Frenchman, who now made n
scruple about letting it be seen that he wa
about to pass the night there himself, bade m
farewell in the most impressive; manner, al
plauding, in Whisper my resolve, which h
declared to be "6ien Sdge:;' and then close
my door, and stood. candle in hand and wit
beating heart, alone.
| could hear the heavy throb, throb of m
heart as it seemed to force the blood through
my veins with a power that made them thrill
and it was in vain that told myself that
was from the ascent. Such ilattering junction
could not be received, and was fain to con
fess that, trembling, anxous-nay, in deadl.
fear was wondering whether l should SCI
the morning light.
How cursed my weakness again and agair
for coming. and then for STOPPING to the indul
gence ola weak and insatiate passion. Why
after ALL had l stayed? Rivers would have
been quite as safe without me.
But this was no time for childish murmurine
against my folly. / was in a sore straight, Il
my fancy had not been magnifylng the danger
and rousing myself to the emergency, pro
ceeded to examine the room before securing
the door.
The task was soon performed. I had but to
iOOh uiuSi tuC DCu, w"
nearly at an end No cupboards-no place
where an enemy could be concealod-no sec.
ond means Of egress.
went to the window and threw it open to
look down upon long, dark, deserted street
at an immense distance below me, and shud
dcrcd as thought Of the consequence Of fall
There was the usual Venetian shutters, on
either side, fastened back, and light appeared
here and there in some Of the houses opposite,
,l1o hao fhn Gro no
from the soft summer nights sky.
Leaving the window partly open to admit
the cool, gentle breeze, now turned my at
tcnton to the door, TO find that there was q
lock bat no key. There was, however. large
bolt at the top of the door, which slipped ca
silly into its staple and then, as quickly as
could. moving Il only few inches at a time,
contrived to place the head of the bed against
the door, and then sat down, painting. to think.
wanted to take out the money and to tie It
all mp ogether-silver, gold and biILetS de
worst came to the worst might throw it from
the window for l was determined that II
should not go to those who felt sure intended
to attack me. No they should not have it,
thought. for would throw it through the open
window. But, no; dared not take it from
my pockets the clinking would, perhaps, be
heard, and, II my fears were baseless, would,
after all, excite the cupldity Of some one in the
house.
Of course l did not undress, but sat for long
while debating as to whether | should put out
my Candida point decided by the short piece
burning ont, so that soon | sat upon the edge
OF the bed, in utter darkness, listening atten'
lively to every sound, and seeing, In imagina-
ton, the swarthy Frenchman, stlletto armed,
slowly ascending the stairs.
had no difficulty in keeping awake, for my
nerves were strained to their greatest tension
with the excitement, and cold damp collec.
ted upon ny forehead and In the palms OF my
hands, as at last, after several false alarms,
heard 4 faint breathing noise apparently just
outside the door,
Rising softly and with my heart beating al.
most to suffocation, | stole to the window,
and stood once more listening, as there came
q faint, gliding, grating noise; and though
could see nothing, felt that one OF the panel:
of the door was so contrived that it would
slide back, and seemed to be gazing the ncx
moment upon hand thrust through, to be
laid upon the bolt.
The darkness was intense, bat was, felt
right; for there came the grating of the iron
and the bolt was softly shot back from the
staple, and the door pressed inward agains
the bedstead.
What could do? That should be mur
dered if | stayed there unarmed, | felt assured
and even if could eludc my assailants in the
dark. it would only be for few minutes; for
must be hunted down at last. There was NJ
escape, told myself; and as the bedsteat
crcakcd with the pressure against 1t. knew
that it must in few minutes ut most give wa!
sufficiently for man to pass In, anu ther
would como the strugglefor life.
A suffaeatins grosn forced itsclf from m!
breast and great trembling seized upon me
but even then | did not think to offer th'
money as ransom for my liberty; but hurried
from one end of the room to the other, II
search OF way of escape. Then | stopped
short; for there was whispering outside, ant
n thought had occurred to me. Could escap
by the window?
Four stories high, and the cruel stones be
meath
But the bed-clothes-could knot them to
gether, and slide down?
A moments reflection told me that the ide
was madness: and | leaned OIt to listen
there was any one below to whom might ar
peal for help; but all was still and my tongu
seemed 10 refuse its office. Almost mad VIII
fear. climbed out on the window sill an
looked upward.
was on the top floor, but the parapet wa
above my reach, unless-yes-the Venetla
shuttcrs--each very ladder-eyery thin bar
step TO climb TO safety, If
Yes-if they would bear my weight.
| shuddered as at that moment seemed [
see the shutter torn from its hinges, and wit
me clingng to it, faling-ialllng with fearfl
crash to the pavement beneath. and men gatl
ering round 10 gaze upon the sckening spec
taclc.
But it was my only chance for safety; an
upon the roof might travel on and on, an
eiude my pursuers, If they could reach IN
refuge by any other way; for felt assured TN
they would not attempt it by my route. Bl
would the shutter bear this weight?
tried one with my left hand, and it shoo
ominollsly. stepped quickly to the other an
tried il. Firmer, certainly; but what liza
road TO safety? Would it not be better to ste
and encounter my enemies, who were now
the room
II seemed the lesser evil 10 trust TO my a
tiyily to reach the roof; and softly placing OF
foot lpon the wood work reached the top
the shutter and drew myself up from the VII
dow sill. lust as man leaned ont and uttert
an exclamation of horror. But ! could II
look down ut him, nor heed his warning cl
To descend, for all my weight was now upC
the shutter supported b. its hinges ana u
holder which kept it back against the st0i
wall ! felt ii giving way beneath me; d
taking another step threw up one hand:
with Il spasmodic effort drew Rp my Dooy
what knew TO be my last struggle for Iii
and that hand rested upon the parapct; Il
next instant my other hand was by its sid
nv feet aided me again for an instant, al
then, with sharp crack, the shutter gave wa
hung to my feet for a few moments, when,
kicked them free and chung there, heard
fall, after what seemed lifetime OF horro
| upon the pavement below.
The effect of that crash below was almo
sufficient to make me relax my hold,
strangely did it jar upon my nerves; but n
fingers seemed to grow, as it were. into. II
stone, and hung at the full stretch OF II