The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1871-02-23

toward Tie uOOT. ue uiuSt A@VO Ano0A
|preted that glance.
"You cannot escape" he exclaimed
lexultingly; "Pve taken care to preven
that. I've fastened the east-end bach
] door on the outside, and here's the key
to the front door,"
And he took from his pocket a large
brass key and held it up triumphantlJ
before me. All possibility Of escape
was cut off. was in the power OF q
desperate, merciless mailman, bent on
my destruction, as he had expressly
avowed, and that paralyzed every nerve
and muscle.
"God help me, in this my hour OF
perilw was the despairing prayer that
arose in my soul, for l knew no human
aid was near. Again the mailman ad.
vanced with the glittering steel culver
ing in his hand. / felt the iron grasp
| of his hand upon my shoulder, saw the
bright blade of the bowie-knife pointed
directly at my heart, and stood power
less and motionless as statue. But
with this moment of peril came strength
adequate to the emergency. The cour-
age which had for moment deserted
me, revived, and triumphed over fear
| knew that to plead for mercy, to sue
for life, would be in vain. My entreat-
les would be UNDECIDED, and perhaps in
slant death would be the consequence.
My only hope then would lay in STRAIT
agem. A plan whirled through my
brain with the rapidity of lightning,
and upon it | determined to act.
Release me, Herbert" | said, with
as much calmness as | could command,
"and sit down by my side. want to
talk to you"
He obeyed.
"You will be my wife" he said; "you
accept my proposition?"
/ bowed an assent. A triumphant
smile lighted up his features.
Herbert" began, years ago you
offered me the rich treasure of your
heart, but l blindly and foolishly re-
fused it. l recklessly threw away my
own happiness; but the act was unpre-
meditated and thoughtless, and ! have
never ceased to regret it. This time
you shall not sue in vain"
Another wild, shrill laugh resounded
in my ears, and the maniac's eye glared
with additional lustre.
II knew" he said, proudly brushing
back the long, black locks from his
nigh. broad forehead, Il knew your wo-
mans heart could not O second time
my charms. Ladies have
always courted and admired me. |
nave been for years the center Of uni
versal honor and attention, and though
sge is creeping on apace, | can slip in
o the silly heart of woman as slyly
md subtly as in the days of YOUTH
Herbert, | will, as | said, be the
ride of your future lie. The unseen
oys Of the eternal world we will share
ogether. But no bride ever leaves her {
ather's home without making prepare
ion; neither can | leave the abiding '
lace of my earthly husband without
baking some arrangements for his
omfort and happiness. / will prepare l
dinner, to be ready against his re- I
urn, and for the little ones God has
'iven me. While am in the flesh |
lust be faithful to the vows made in I
he flesh. We will refresh our bodies c
efore starting on the long journey. 1t a
hall be our marriage feast; you will c
e the bridegroom and the honored Y
uest. My husband will be here to see |
ne happy exchange have made" a
Thus | ran on, betraying neither by S
'ok nor act the mental terror of my Ii
'ul. The eyes of the maniac glared
ss fercely; the knife was replaced in a
he belt. l had touched the right chord v
his breast; his vanity had been fiat n
red by my praises, and by my readily L
to his wishes, and for the f
assing moment felt that the danger S
as averted. 81
Determined to follow up the advant-
&c had 80 Unexpectedly gained, / c.
.ose calmly. end, with forced smile, c.
i'd, Il will go now and prepare the h
nner-our wedding feast. We will jo
It for the time with our fellow NOR b.
Is, and take of them an afectioAate W
rewell." III,
$50 we will p replied Stanley, gaily. b.
70 L