The Lincoln County herald., 1869-12-02

you whore the sun never can shine upon
your gravel II do not do this am
forever lost -losti"
"But you need not hurry. You have
time enough before night" she returned,
replacing the child IL its cradle, while
something like plan began to draw upon
her mind.
II must not neglect this business" he
pursued, ransackiug his person for =
weapon.
Fortunately, hs was unprovidsd with
anything which could answer bis purpose !;
and vhilo he thus searched, Mrs. Mason
was able 70 conooot her scheme still fur.
ther.
"Where will you bury me ?" she asked
in business sort Of way.
Simon had not decided, to Judge from
bis manner. He looked upon one hand,
asd then the other, but made no answer.
"Whsrs will you bury me 2" the woman
demanded, still more earnestly.
Being thus pressed for an answer, the
man glsncsd from the door, and pointed
te {, 4 ,EssssieSlsf spot IN the forest 30
"Nonsense !" rejoincd Mrs. Mason.
"Come with mo I can show you . far
better place. place where the sun never
shines, and where you II not bc dis.
turbsd. Come"
And with gesture which admitted Of
no refusal. she led tho way 10 the cellar.
A passage about eight feet 10 length
lay between the cellar proper and the
outer room, and along this Cyrena loi.
tered till assured that Webb would not
turn back.
Then she threw open the door, and
passed within. The maniac groped for .
moment % be found himself 10 the dark,
but the voice Of the woman directed him.
Here, Simon," she said, oheeringly,
"is not this good place ?"
He groped toward the spot, then
paused aud listened. But the ruse had
succeeded. No sooner was be we'll inside
the cellar than Mrs. Mason glided by
him, and in moment she had tho door
closed, and so effectually barred as to
prevent bic egress.
Up to this point. the strength aud self.
possession Of the woman had not deserted
her for moment, and to that fact she
owed her present salvation-if such II
should prove.
For an Instant she sank upon . seat
unable to move further, and remained
with her eyer fixed upon the door which
interposed between herself and dread.
full fsto.
Very soon the efforts Of the maniac to
escape became deafening. He rained
upon the ftail door perfect shower Of
blows. beneath which it promised speedily
to give way.
The wife and mother dared wait no
longer. She seized the wonder. filed in.
fant fsnm ths cradle, and rau With all pos.
sible speed toward the distant field, where
her husband was at work.
II was . long distance, and the way
was rough for her TO carry tbs child, bu,
she realized nothing, save that she was
fleeing for life.
She did not pause or slscken her pace,
until she sank upon the ground beside
her astounded husband.
"Why, Cyrens what 10 the matter p
he exclaimed. "Whst has happened p
Il was some moments before the poor
woman could reply. The scene Of terror
and her long fight had been too much
for her. But at length she managed to
whisper the dreadful events which had
transpirsd At the cabin.
"Theu be 10 in tho cellar 2" the hus.
band asked.
"Unlsss he has escaped"
Taking her into the forest, and select
ing . secure hiding place, christopher
requested her with the child to remain
till hs returned with assistance.
In half 90 hour, which seemed an age
to the waiting woman, hs appeared, bring
ing with him two stalwsrt settlers.
With . neighbor carrying the child,
and Christopher supporting bis trembling
wife, they moved back toward the cabin
They moro than half expected TO ses
the dwelling in flames, but to their SUI
prise It Vas silent. The door was oper
- Cyrsus had left IL, aud whom they
stepped inside and listened, no sounds
came 70 their ears.
But for the fact that no means Of Ell,
from the cellar save BY tho door, which
Va still intact, existed, It would seem ths
man had gone. +,.i 1''
Alighs was speedily procured, the
door unbarred, and the name Of Simon
Webb repeatedly called. r .t"'
Meeting no response, they entered ths
cellar. Whist . sight met their case
Upon the cold ground lay The form Of Ii.
maniac, his skull crushed and lifi
What the last dresd scene Of that lift
was, mortal may never know. Under ths
influence Of what dreadful dslusion hs
had thus destroyed his own existence
may not b known. .1-~'
It was snly certain that he had throws
himself with full force against tho rough
wall, and terminated in . moment his un
happy life.