Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-10-19

dark to read it outside, and | entered
his room. | sat down and read the
letter, which was from James mother,
urging him to come instantly.
You thought was mad at you
because you made love to Minnie.
But you were mistaken old boy, for
look at this letter handing me another.
1t was a letter apparently from a
young girl, although the handwriting
looked rather masculine. 1t was dated
from the same New England village
in which James: mother was living
and its contents breathed intense love
for him. 1t was signed Annie"
"Yes," replied he, in answer to my
questioning look, "Pll marry Annie as
soon as set foot in my native village u
Won't you wait until the bans are
published" asked I, with a laugh.
"Not minute. I'll go straight to
her house, take her to the next par.
son who, for money and good words,
will soon tie the knot! Now" contin.
ued he, after a pause, during which he
took bottle and two tin cups from a
shelf above his head "now let's drink
to the health of our intended brides
And he filled the cups.
" Hold on, James let me know
what is in the cups? ?" said L
"Your intended father-in-law gave
me bottle of Angelica wine. He said
that it was the best that he had in the
cellar" answered James.
| like sweet wine, and | took the
cup.
"Here is to the health and pros.
perity Of Annie!" exclaimed | empty.
ing the cup.
Here's to Miss Minnie, who l am
sure will be the best and truest of
wives !" was the toast of James, as he
too, emptied his cup.
"Now here is a real Havana" said
he, taking some cigars from bis pock.
ct, and handed one which | lighted.
Then settled back into the chair | lis.
tened to detailed account OF his pre-.
vious life. The narrative seemed very
uninteresting TO me, and | was wish.
ing inwardly that it would soon end
for had to 90 to s. that very
night on business connected with the
mill.
Gradually the light became dina
the voice of James sounded hollow.
| tried to tell him to trim the lamp
and speak little louder, but my lips
only moved, and not a sound came
from my throat. The tobacco smoke is
choking me, thought |, casting my eyes
toward my right hand, which waa
slowly slipping from the edge of the
table upon which was lying the half
consumed cigar. Strange that felt
no pain as the hand struck the sharp
corner of the chair. | tried TO rise
but my endeayors were vain. Some
heavy weight seemed to press on my
shoulders, a weight that | could not
shake of. l lifted my eyes tow.
ard James. who was sitting opposite
to me. Ny God Was it hallucina
tion of my whirling brain, or was il
reality?
| saw, as if through haze, the eyes
of James, glaring at me like those of
a wildcat about to spring upon it:
| prey.
Every line of his features proclaim
ed Matchmaking hate. He rose anC
came close to where | sat.
His voice sounded to me like tht
roar of thunder, as he said:
Aha! I've got you now, my fin,
fellow; this time | am sure that vol
can never. never, never marry Min
ME. Ten minutes more and you are
dead. Oh! it's no use," cried he, il
a voice that pierced my ears, as h
saw how | tried to shake of the COLL
that seemed to bind me to the chair
"No use whatever, old boy. If woulC
let you 60 now you would hang me
True enough, gypsy once said that
would break my neck, but not upol
the gallows, no no! Some weeks age
| tried to kill you, but it was alread,
too dark to take good aim, and yor
escaped"
"The letters you have perused ar,
nothing but forgeries. My mothe
has been dead these four years, ant
the girl Annie is only creation OF
my brain"
His voice seemed to lower to a whis
per. as he continued:
"They will say that you have beel
villain, that you fled few days be
fore the day set for the wedding
Minnie will be very unhappy, and
will do my best to cheer her up. Sh
would have loved me had you no
crossed my path with your fine talk an
soft nonsense, which won her affet
tions."
1.-Two minutes more" said he, afte
pause, during which he looked at hi
watch. Yes, two minutes more an
your soul will leave its miserable body
Please give my regards to His Satani
, Majesty. Tell him sooner or later
, will join you in the fiery region below
| Your eyes are closing now; your fac
! has the hue OF death; your limbs ar
getting cold, yes, cold as ice"
: | felt the touch of his hot hand upo
my face. 1t seemed as if a thousan
needles were entering every part o
|, my body; a red blur obscured m
vision and it was becoming darke
| felt as if something was pressing u
: on my head which now seemed
d leave my body, my breath becan
y shorter and shorter-all at once
stopped. felt, as | counted the bea
. lngs OF my heart-one,twO, three, tou
five, six +! Then all was oblivion.
| opened my eyes, that is, felt
opened them, as not ray of light fe
upon the pupils. Darkness, impen
7 trable darkness was around me. Wa
4 | in the grave? l made an effort
; stretch out my hands. | succeede
. They moved through water, which
u now felt was eddying around my nee
Where was 1? Surely it was not
u dream, for | felt that | was thorough
awake. | raised my right arm to 4
= head and my hand came in conta
lo with an iron rod upon which my he
Y. yuac Ivipr Apoin tho nuoet;op no SO