The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-09-15
ling speed, and upon it / determined

'helease me, Herbert, 1 6ald, WIN
as much calmness as | could com
mana, "and come and sit down by my
side. / want to talk to you"
lie obeyed.
"You viii be my wife," no said.
"Y on accept my proposition 7"
Ibowed an assent. A triumphant
smile lighted up his features.
Herbert" / began, you offered me
the rich treasures OF your heart, but |
blindly and foolishly refused it. l
threw away my own happi-
ness, but the act was thoughtless--an
unprecedented one-and i have never
ceased to regret it. This time you
shall not sue in vain"
Another wild, shrill laugh resound.
ed in my ears, and the maniacs eyes
flashed with additional lustsr.
Il knew" he said, proudly, brushing
back the long black locks from his
high, broad forehead, II knew your
woman's heart could not withstand u
second time the powers OF my charms.
Ladies always courtcd aud admired
me. ! have been for years the center
of universal honor and homage, and
though age is creeping on apaee, | can
creep into the heart OF woman as
slyly and subtilely Us in the days OF my
early manhood.
Herbert, | will, Us l 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 without max
ing preparations neither can | leave
the abiding place of my earthly hus-
band without making prepara;ions-
without making some arrangements
necessary for his comfort aud happi-
ness. viii prepare dinner to be
ready against his return, aud for the
little 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
our long Journey. II shall be our
marriagc-ieast. You shall be the
bridegroom and the honorcd guest.
Ny husband will be there TO see the
happy change have made"
Thus | ran on, betraying neither by
look nor act the mental terror of my
soul. The eyes OF the maniac glared
less fercely; the knife was placed in
the belt. / had touched the right
chord in his breast his vanity had
been iiatiered by my praises, and by
readily aceeding to his wishes, and for
the passing moment | felt the danger
was averted.
Determined to follow up the adyan.
tage | had so Unexpectedly gained,
arose calmly, and with forced smile
said
i will go now and prepare the din.
ner-our marriage feast We will eat
for the last time with our fellow-mor.
tails, and take Of them an aifectionate
farewell
so we will !" replied Stanley
grayely. $50 we will. II shall be q
marriage like the marriage OF Cana
Water viii be turned into wine, and
we Will cat the bread Of life and he
folded me to his bosom in q rough
embrace.
Now, Herbert, said |, after a mo-
ment oil unceremonious hugging, NOV
| will 90 and make ready for oui
journey ; time is precious, and | will
not delay our happiness. Aud pro
ceeded 70 the dining-room, and com
mencei laying the cloth and dishes
on the table-getting the necessary
preparations for meal. ! hoped by
so doing | should be able to elude the
argus eyes of my .jailer, and when q
favorable moment should present it
self, | would leap from the window
and make my escape by fight.
But no bat ever watched for prey
more closely than Herbert Stanley
watched me. His eyes never left me
and l saw that an attempt 10 escape
would be but to jump into the jaws o.
death. But as my fight grew more
hopeless, my mind grew more and
more active. A bright though
crossed it.
"If remember rightly, Herbert,
said |, "you used to be q great ad
mirer of the canine species Z"
"Yes," was the reply.
"Now," said /, Il will show you 9
most splendid specimen of dog. IL,
is as cunning as a fox, and possesses
traits OF character and sagacity no
unworthy of the human race. Here
Neptune"
And large, shaggy Newfoundland
dog came into the room, wagging hi
tail with doggish joy. This is ou
only errand boy" | continued, point
ing to the animal, sand better on,
could not be found. lie does. oul
marketing daily, and saves us a dea
of trouble. Such sagacious creatur,
you never beheld. All | have to d,
is just to write upon little bit of pa
per what we want, and the quantity
and put it ina basket, which Neptune
takes in his mouth and presents to th
butcher, baker or grocer, as we tel
him; and forthwith he returns witt
the articles desired. Now, let m
exhibit one of his exploits, and yo'
shall see If l have overrated them
| We shall want meat for our repast
and / will send for some.n
took my pencil from my pocket
and wrote upon little scrap Of pape
these words:
MR. Brown: For heavens SAX
come Immediately to my rescue.
/ IL ~. -. r