The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-12-24

Rnt time passed, and with all ollr efforts we
were still as much in the dark as when we
f'rst beran. A year went round, but long Dc-
fore Miss Bradley had sold the estate and gone,
none knew where, still kept up the searcn;
but it was useless, and, tired out, almost con
cludcd to give it up entirely, when, one eve
ming. received a letter from my nephew, loul
Hartford. containing q pressing invitation to
come to the Holly Lodge and make him long
visit. Our own little village was unusually
dull, and everybody persisted In pertaining q
vulgar degree of good health, positively dis
couraging TO a poverty-stricken, physician III q
country town. So, packing change OF linen
in my valise, started.
Tom met me at the depot, and giving me a
most cordial welcome, conducted ME TO MS
home.
Now Tom at that time, was single man,
but soon perceived by the DRIFT Oh HIS eoll-
versaton that he was no longer heart-wnolc,
and that as soon as his inamorata gave MN u
favorable reply, he would netamorphose MIN
self into a benedict. ,,,,
II was nothing but Helen from morning till
night. and I gladly availed myself OF the OPP
portunity to call and see his paragon OF per-
I recognized her instantly as none other
| than the Miss Bradley, OF Bradleylord
In commenting on her appearance ,nSs nSs eve, we
carried her hand ba7daged so closely.
He believed she had an eruption or some
thing OF the sort; did not exactly know; she
had always had 1t so since no had first known
her.
felt a sudden suspicion, but could not ac-
count for IL, but when morning came mad al
most forgotten the matter.
Three weeks passed pleasantly away, aaa IL
being the anniversary of my birthday, Tom
vowed there should be feLe in honor OF IL;
20 the Young people OF the neighborhood
were invited, and everything Went Oil as
smoothly as wedding bells, until 1t was nearly
time for the party to break up, Wnen lhere
came up u terrible storm.
I 1t continued to rain with steady drip, drip,
and drizze, which effectually precluded the
idea of returning home, and our guests were
Obliged to remain another night with us.
noticed that Miss Bradley grew restless and
uneasy beneath my gaze. and wneh my eyes
rested upon her bandaged hand, SHE grew pale
to the lips. She early excused herself on the
second evening and went TO her room. lt so
happeneu that my apartment was on the same
floor. and. in fact, was separated from hers
only by thin partition, and as soon as de-
cency would permit, slipped mp the stairs,
and opening the door softly entered my own
room.
stepped on chair and looking cautiously
through the partition beheld Mss Bradley on
her knees before the lamp, the bandaTeS re-
moved from her left hand, which for The first
time beheld free from its SwaLhings.
was0yithered, and minus finger. Instant
~ that black autunnal midnight. and my sim
glllar vision. rose before my mental 'isl0n, ana
with sickening sense OF horror sal down on
the edge OF the bed 10 think.
NV Hirht-lamp burned low, and The great
clock in the hall chimed the hour Of twelve,
ere fell into a dose. slept but lightly. Vis-
ions of the murdered man danced before my
eyes; awake, aud yrinnin9 faces haunted my
dreams.
I heard the door turn slowly on Its hinges,
and light, firm step sounded softly on the
thick pile OF the carpet. MY heart gave great
bound. looked through halfclOscd lids to-
ward the door and beheld Miss Bradley, In
loose white wrapper, advancing to my bedside.
Her long dark hair, unbound, hoated over her
-shouders in waves Of Jet, and her eyes were
wide open, strangely fixed and glarins.
She was muttering to herself. II seemed as
though could not move, but seemed as II
held In Il Vice.
AS she stopped by my bed caught the
bright CLEAN OF a dagger shining In the glare
OF The night lamp.
Miss Bradley looked at me long and car
nestly. 80, ,.,,,
him; he fought, though. like lion. wanted
money. shall kill this one, because am not
safe while he lives"
She held up her knife, which looked bright
and sharp in the lamplisht.
mot three minutes to live she continued
hoarsey. MAY tho Lord have mercy on
YOU"
She swung the knife slowly in q circle over
her head; then, with quick bound, sprang
up, and in another instant, pinioned her 10 the
floor, calling loudly for help.
She struggled desperately, but her efforts
availed her nothing.
Toni never saw so llaggard coilntenance
as his was when related the circumstances,
and the officers led her away TO the county
Jail.
But long before her trial was TO have been,
the unhappy girl was found dead In her cell,
leaving written confession OF her guilt. and
the manner in which she had committed the
airocious crime. stlll keep the finger Us
q :ncmento Of the very near escape l had from
death.
Tom, after long years, married an amabe
and lovely woman, but there is always latent
touch OF sadness in his tone, aud u look Of
sorrow lurking in the shadow OF his eyes,
whicl, l. who know his past so well, know
was caused by the beautiful but demoniacal
owner OF the Withered Hand.