South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1870-11-18

stood powerless and mutionless rs n statue
But with this hour IF peril came strength
adequate to the emergency The courage
which bad for moment deserted me, re-
yived and iriumphed over fear. knew
that to plead for mercy, to sue for life, would
be in vain.-My entreaties would be IN
needed, and perhaps Instant death would
be the consequence. My only hope then
lay in strutagem a plan whirled through
my brain with the rapidity of lightning,
aud upon it | determined to act.
Release me, Herbert 1 said, with as
much calmncss as | could commaud, 'aud
come, sit down by my side. | want to talk
TO you"
He obeyed. You will be my wife p he
said. You accept my proposition|
| bowed an assent a triumphant smile
lighted up his features.
Herbert began, 'years ago you offer
cd me the rich treasures of your heart but
| blindly and foolishly refused it. / reck-
lessly threw away my own happiness, but
the act was a thoughtlcss, unprecedented
one and | have never ceased to regret it.
This time you shall not sue in vain
Another wild, shrill laugh lesoundcd in
my ears and the maniac's eye glarcd with
additional lustre.
4 knew he said, proudly brushing back
the long, black locks from his high broa /
forehead, q knew your woman 5 heart could
not second time Withstand the power Of
my charms Indies have always courtcd
and admired me. | have been for years
the centre OF universal honor and attention
and though age is creeping on apacc, l can
slip into the silly heart of a woman as sly
" aud subtilly as in the days of my early
/ manhood y
Herbert, I will, as I said, be the bride of
your future life. The unseen Joys of the
eternal world we will share together But
no bride ever leaves her fathers home with
out making preparation, neither eau leave
the abiding place Of my earthly husband,
without making some arrangements neces-
sary for his comfort and happiness. | will
I prepare a diuner to be ready against his re-
turn and for the little ones g cd has given me
While am in the flesh, must be faithful
to the vows made ia the flesh We will re
fresh our bodies before starting upon the
I long journey. 1t shall be our marriage
feast ; you will be the bridegroom and the
honored guest My husband will be there
to see that happy exchange l have made
Thus / ran on, betraying neither by look
nor act the mental terror ofmy soul. The
eyes of the maniac glared less iercely, the
knife was replaced in the belt. | have touch
cd a right chord in his breast his vanity
had been fattered by my praises, aud read
lily acccding to his wishes, aud for the pass
ing moment / felt the danger averted.
Determined to follow up the advantage
hld so unexpectedly gained, arose calm-
ly aud with forced smile said, Il will 60
now and prepare the dnucr-our wedding
feast
We will cat for the last time with cur
fellow mortals, and take Of them an afFcc-
Tomato farewell
so We" replied Stanley, gaiy. 'So we
will It shall be marriage like the mar
rage Of Cana Water will be turned into
wiuc and We will cat Of the bread Of life.
And he folded mo to his bos6m in a rough
embrace.
'Now Herbert said ], after a moment Of
uuccremonious hugging, 'now | will 60 and
make ready for our journey; time is pre-.
cious aud we will not delay our happiness.
And ! proceeded to the dining room, and
commenced laying the cloth and dishes on
the table; getting the butter, cutting the
broad, and making the necessary prepare
tons for meal. hope by SO doing !
sb0gd be ablcto elule the Argus eyes o + my
jlilor; and when favorable moment should
prcseu, itself, J would leap from the win
dow and escape by flight
But no clt ever watched for prey more
closely than Herbert Stanley watched me
His eye never left me- aud saw to attcmpt
IN escape would be bat 10 spring into the
jaws Of death But as my fight grew
more and more hopeless, my mind grow ac-
tive A bright thought crossed IT,
If ] remember rightly, Herbert, said I,
you used 90 be a great admircr Of the ca-
ujno species.
Yes was lho reply.
wow, said J, q will show you a most
splendid specimen Of a dog be is cunning
as q fox, aud possesses traits Of character
and q sagacity not unworthy Of the human
race. Herc Neptune Aud large sbag-
cy Newfoundland came s'owly into tho room
wlegi0g bis tail with doggi.b joy.
This is our only crrand boy, / contin
ucd pointing % tho animal, '8ud better
ono could not be found Tie does our mark
citing daily, and saves u5 deal Of trouble
such sagaci0us creature you never behold
All ] have 90 do Is just % write upon De
t.c be Of paper whatever we want and co.,
quantity, put 10 IN a basket, which Ncp,un,
takes 10 bis mouth and presents 90 butcher
bakor- 1r grocer, as We cell him. and forth.
with be returns with the articles desired
Now let me exhibit ono of his exploits. aul
you shall Judge if wo have overrated hi
services. We shall want meat for our re-
past and will send for some