Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1871-05-11

back again to the door. and stood gag.
ing upon me with those wild. glaring eyes
of his, till the very blood ffose in my
veins.
essayed to rise, but terror rendered
me poserless. 1t seemed If every MUSCLE
had become rigid, and all power Of motion
denied me. l glanced towards the door.
Herbert Stanley must have interpreted
that glance.
"You cannot escape" he exclaimed ex-
ultingly; I've taken good care 10 prevent
that. I've fastened the east door and the
back door upon the outside, aud here is
the key 20 the front" And he took from
his poke: large brass key, and held il
triumphantly before me.
All possibility of eseapa was thus cut
of. I was in the power Of desperate,
merciless mailman, bent on my dcstrue-
tion, as he had expressly avowed. and that
paralyzed every nerve and muscle.
God help me in this my hour of per-
il" was the despairing prayer which arose
in my. soul, for knew no human aid was
near.
Again the madman advanced with the
glittering steel quivering in his hands. /
felt the iron grasp upon my shoulder, saw
the bright blade of the bowe-knife direct
ed TO my heart, and stood powerless and
motionless as statue
But with this hour of peril came strength
adequate to the emergency The courage
which had for moment deserted me, re-
vived and triumphed over fear. knew
that to plead for mercy, to sue for life,
would be in vain. NY enrreaties would
be unheedei, and perhaps instant death
would be the consequence. My only hope
then lay in stratagem. A plan whirled
through my brain with the rapidity Of
lightning, and upon it l determined to
act
Release me, Herbert" said with as
much calmness as could command, ..and
come and set down BY my side. 1 want
to talk to you"
lie obeyed
You will be my wife ?" he said. "You
accept my proposition p
| bowed an assent A triumphant smile
lighted up his features.
Herbert" began "years ago YOU Of
fcred me the rich treasure of your heart,
but | blindly and foolishly refused it. l
recklcss!y threw away m. own happiness,
but the act was thoughtltss unpremcdi-
tated one, and | have never ceased to re-
gret it."
Another wild, shrill laugh rcsounded
in my ears, and the maniac's eye glared
with additional lustre.
Il knew" he said. proudly brushing
back the long black locks from his high,
broad forehead. Il knew your woman's
heart could not second time withstand
the power of my charms Ladies have
always courted and admired me- have
been for years the centre of universal hon
or and attention, and though age is Creep
ing on apacc, | can slip into the silly heart
of woman as slyly and subtly as in the
lays of early manhood -
Herbert, | will, as | said. be the bride
of your future life The unseen iovs of
the eternal world we will share together.
But no bride ever leaves her fathers
home without making preparation neith-
cr can leave the abiding place of my earth
ly husband without making some arrange
mcnts necessary for his comfort and hap
pincss. | will prepare dinner. to be
ready against his return, aud for the lit
tie ones God has given me- While am
in the flesh must be faithful to the vows
made in the flesh We will refresh our
bodies before starting on the long journey.
1t shall be our marriage feast you viii
he the bridegroom and the honorcd guest
My husband will be there to see the hap
py exchange | have made"
Thus ran on bctraying neither BY look
nor act the mental terror of nv soul. The
eyes of the maniac glared less fercelv
the knife was placed in the belt. l hau
touched a right chord in his breast his
vanity had been datterei by my praises,
and by my readily acceding to his wishes.
and for the passing moment felt the dan
ger was averted.
Determined to follow up the advantage
| had so unexpectedly gained. arose
calmly. and with forced smile. said, II
will go now and prepare the dinner-our
wedding feast. We will eat for the last
time with our fellow mor.als. aud take of
them an affectionate farewell"
so We will - replied Stanley. gaily.
80 we will. 1t shall be marriage like
the marriage of Cana. Water will be
turned into wine. and we will eat of the
bread of life" and he folded me to his
bosom in rough embrace.
"New Herbert" said I, after a moment.
Of unccremonious hugging, .'now I will
20 and make ready for our joarncv time
is precious. and wc viii not delay our hap
piness." Aud proceeded to the dining
room, and commenced LAYING the cloth
and dishes on the table getting the but
ter, cutting the bread. aud making the
necessary preparations for a meal. hoped
by 80 doing should BE- able to elude the
Argus eye Of my jailor. and when ia
vorable moment should prescn, itself, |
would leap from the window aud escape
by fight
But no eat ever watched for prey mere
closely than Herbert Stanley watched nae.
His eyes never left me. and saw to at
tempt an escape would be but to sp~ins
into the very jaws Of death. But rs INV
fight grew more hopeless, my mind grew
active. A bright thought crossed it.
If | remember rightly. Herbert said
1, "you used 10 be great admirer Of the
canine species p
..Yex waS fha rnrlv