Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-08-12

to be.
Merciful lIcavcu What IS that sound
heard ahead, aud at no greater distance?
He did not need TO ask the question. lie
knew it was the roar of water-he knew that
a cataract was below. And near below for,
on sweeping around another curve OF the river,
the smooth black water could be seen rushing
rapidly forth from under the field Office, quick
whitened into froth as it struck against the
rocks cresting the cataract. ~ ga
The pursued saw il first, but soon after the
pursuer.
My Godw gaspcd Hill, in voice choking
with agony. "Can the man mean to carry
her on-ovcr? Stop, madam J"
Lansing heard the call and looked. back
The moon light, falling full upon bis face, re-
vealcd an expression horrible to behold. His
eyes were no longer rolling but fixed in ter
rible stare of determination, while upon his
features could be traced smile of demoniac
t.iumph. He spoke no word, but raising his
unemployed arm, pointed TO the cataract.
There could be no mistaking gesture; but
what followed made still clearer his intent,
giving a loud shrek that ended in prolonged
peal of laughter, he faced once more towards
the edge of the ice. Then throwing all his
mad energy into the effort, he shot straight for
it, dragging the young lady along with him.
The crisis had now come. A moment more,
and Kate Clinton, struggling in the arms Of
mailman, would be carried over the cataract,
down toccrtain destruction on the rocks be-
low.
With heart hot, as if on fire, her lover saw
her peril, now proximate and extreme. But
his head was still cool, and at glance he took
in the situation.
BY bearing direct upon them he would only
increase the momentum of their speed, and
both over the edge Of the ice. His only hope
lay in making one last vigorous effort to get
between them and the water. a grand sweep
might 90 It; aud without waiting TO reflect
farther, he threw Lis body forward in the curve
Of parabola.
With hands and teeth tightly clinchcd, with
eyes fixed upon one point, and thought con-
ccntratei into one great purpose, he passed
over the smooth surface like an electric flash
ending in a shock, as his body came in contact
with that Of Lansing. A blow from one arm.
already raised, sent the latter staggering upon
the ice, at the same time detachng his grasp
from the wrist Of his intended victim. II was
instantly seized by her rcscuer, who, continu-
ing the sweep thus intercepted, succeeded in
carrying her on to place Of safety.
In vain the mailman tried to recover himself.
The momentum Of his own previous speed, in
creased by the powerful blow from HIllS
clinched fist, sent him spinning on 10 tho ex-
treme edge Of the ice, where be fell fiat upon
bis face.
Perhaps he might still have been saved, but
for bis own frcnzied passion. As the skaters
following along the curve, swept close to where
he law the skate of the young lady almost
touching him, he made an effort to lay hold OF
her ankle, as if intending to drag her over tho
cataractalong with him. Fortunately he Jailed
but the movement was fatal to himself. A
piece of rotten ice on which he rested, giving
away under his weight, broke of with loud
crash: and in another moment the detached
fragment, bearing bis body along with 1t
swept over the falls, to be crushed to atoms IN
the scething cauldron below!
The lovers, now safe from all danger, stood
for time silent, with arms crossed and listen
ing. But, alter one wild, appalling shrek,
that rose from the mauiac's lips, as for mo-
ment his body balanced upon the combins Of
the cataract, they heard no more-only the
hoarse monotone Of the waters, TO be contin-
ucd to eternity.