The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1872-02-15

wait for their tame dellverence. LAY auu
night, | waited aud watched TO do it.
The opportunity came soon. Que
morning when | was walking with the
keeper in the garden, who should come out
but the doctor, and what should he do-the
sepseless fool!--but order the keeper to 60
in, saying that he would walk With me this
time!
Oh, how my heart lcapcd md danced
within me when he said it! But | kept
very slill-vcry still and calm listening
to the mans footsteps on the gravel walk
tillhe was quite gone | have told you
that the railway crossed the bottom Of the
garden. Welt owards this spot went
(carelessly, q. il BY accident, you kuow.)
aud he With me.
"This beautiful day will do US all good,
Mr.. Briggs" be said to me, in bis smooth,
dcceitful voice.
lie was walking with his hands in his
pockets chinkling the gold coin as he went
that gold that | so needed!
Il hope that you may soon enjoy the
summer on your estate" he continued.
He looked SO sleek and self-conGndent
and smiling rs he spoke then, that | hated
him more than ever.
ibid not dare TO trust my voice 10 an
swcr, or suffer my eyes to dwell on him =
Could hc but have read my purpose. dust
then We reached tho extremity Of the gar.
den, and stood looking down from the high
bank upon the level tram lines below =
There was nothing but low hedge be.
tween us aud the road. In an instant |
turucd upon him.
"Die!" | shrieked. "Die! | am mad
| am mad-and | have sworn to do III"
! had the strength often in my arms -
| closed with hi,s, aud dashed his skull
against the treettunk by which We we're
standing. Oh, it wasa glorious vengeance
| | beat the smooth smile out of his face till
his and children would not have know him,
and then stamped and danced upon him,
and laughed aloud! Suddenly heard the
distant whistle Of the train at the village
station. There was nota moment to bo
lost! tore the watch from his pocket,
aud took the purse with the gold! and
then. ha! ha! h.! flung the body over
aud upon Tue lines, and the train came
swiftly on and on. and crushed him as he
lay! Was not that a revenge. and would
any but a madman have thought Of it!--
Tell inc that! Tell nc that!
was SO frozen with horror that sat as
il petriiyd, and could not utter word.
Now, you want to know how | came
II
here?" continued the maniac more quietly,
after rlomentary pause. "Well. be bad
bis cloak on before the struggle. | wrap
ned it around me, and went straight
through the gardens. and out Of the gate,
past bis very lodge keeper; and thanks to
the high collar, none Of them knew me-
for we were much Of a height, the doctor
and I. Once out ofsight Of the house
drcary cruel house. seemed as if | had
wings upon my feet, | fad away so fast.
The people in the streets Of the town star
ed at me; but what did that matter? |
did not care for their staring. | mingled
with the crowd at the station, and paid my
fare like the rest, wi,h-ha! ha!-with the
doctors money! But there was blood on
on the gold. [tried to rub it off,, but |
could not II came again as fast as | re-
moved it, and | thought they would see it
when put the money down. They did
not, though; and here | am free-free!-
Now, answer me, do yon believe that I'm
madmau?'
lie put bis face close to mine as he
said this, and his voice passed from its
former level tone to quick, harsh, cxult'
lug calibre that thrilled mo with dismay.
| It was almost dark, too, and his eyes shonc
with a cold, unnatural lustre, like the
phosphorcsceut light which is thrown off
from fish in state Of putrofaction. =
Even while | hesitated be repeated the
question and this time more impa'icutly.
"Well, yes" | said at last, with quiv-
eriug lips; "I-I think you must be mad
"rll prove it to you,' he whispered,
bending still closer to me. "How do you
think I'll prove it now?