Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1877-10-11
CHAPTER XIII.

CEhG H1t ALL,
TIE SHADOW ASSASSIN OVEN MS VICTIM.
When Lucy Palmedo had sought her
room it was with q firm determination to
obey her fathers command. She loved
Frank devotcdly, but had boon educated to
hold rare respect for filial duty. She did
not despair Of ever seeing Frank again, but
she resolved not to do so until hor strange
parent had relented. She Ind bccn in bod
long enough to fall, asleep when sho was
suddenly invoke by strange feeling, for
which sho could never utter satisfactorily
account. Upon opening her eyes strange
and fearful sight met hor gaze. The gas
hnd been turned half on, and by its light
sho saw terrible looking being standing
ovor her. Tho object held in his hand a
poniard, and tho cleaning weapon was
raised in tho air, the point aimed directly
over hor fair bosom. Lucy would have
screamed but could not. There she lay
helpless and epeeohlcss, while tho strange,
fierce, cleaning eyes of the assassin wero
fixed upon her. 1t was evident that sho had
opened her eyes just as the murderer was
about to strike tho fatal blow. The agony
Of her eyes had stayed his hand 1t was
terrible moment Luoy's thoughts wcrc
paralyzcd; but what strange thoughts were
passing through the assassin's brain none
could toll. One thing was certain--he did
not strike, but stood there with his knife
raised, gazing as though with his terrible
look he would charm his victim to uncou--
seriousness. At that moment sfratohing
noise was heard at the room door. Although
Lucy could not speak, her senses were
kccnly alive. She knew that friend was
near, and every moment expected to hear
an alarm given which would bring her
father to her rescue. She was not disap-
pointed. A shrill bark broke the stilness.
The sound broke tho spell which had hold
Lucy speeohless, aud the barks of the dog
wero Instantly drowned by her own piercing
shrieks. Tho strange figure sprang from
beside the bed. He leaped toward tho
middle Of the floor and cxtinguished the
gas. Luoy'e courage had returned. De-
spite the knowledge that the assassin held
tho poniard, sho made m effort to seize
him. The mysterious being glidcd from
her grasp, and second time, like a shadow,
disappeared through the open window. At
the same moment Mr. Palmedo appeared ut
the room door. lie had heard the shrieks
while sitting in the library, and had hastaned
to his daughters assistance. A second
time he found the door locked on the inside
Lucy opened it and let him in tho room.
"My child, my child! what is tho mattor7"
asked the father. :
Although Mr.. Palmedo was strange,
storm man, he loved his child. The
daughter related what had occurred, whilo
her father relit the gas. AZ Mr.. PaImedc
listened to the story his appearance of terror
vanished, and cold, surlonio smile rested
upon his storm face. A suspicion flushed
across his mind. He did not attempt to
look for the assassin, and when tho servants
came fockiDg into the room be ordered
them to return to bed, stating that nothing
had occurred, and that his daughter had
Only been frightened by his own entrance
into her room. Lucy was astonished at her
fathers singular Indifference. In the
meantime but one thought was present 10
her fathers mind He remembered tho
words of Frank Midgcly:
"Your daughters lifo is in dangerl"
Mr.. Palmedo imagined that he saw
through tho whole trick. The lovers were
playing trick. 1t was conspiracy to
work on his parental fcars and secure his
consent to their marriage. He mado up
his mind not to be imposed upon, aud at the
same time resolved upon tho line of conduct
ho should adopt.
"Poor child" he said, ""leturn to bed; you
have been dreaming agoinl"
LUCY had heard something drop upon
tho floor when shc sought to seizo tho assas.
sin, and she commenced to look around to
SOC what it was. She found sandal such
as is worn by Oriontals.
"This is not tho product of dream,
papa!" shc said, triumphantly.
/ Tho father glanced at the singular look
ing pedal adornment, and said coolly.
ooh! yes it is, my chld!"
"Why, papa?",
Come, 60 to bed, darling, and dream,
again; next tilne you may be able to show
me a whole armory Of weapons and other
curious artolcslp
MPapa" was oil that Lucy could say
There was something in his daughter
tones SO honest, that the idea crossed he,
fathers mind that it might be possible tha
she was not party to The deception whicl
was being practiced, and he asked:
"My child, do you honestly assure me
that yon havo told me on unyarnishcd talc?'
"Papa, could you suspect your child O
STOPPING TO deoeptioUY"
"And you are suro you were not dream
ipgY"
"Is this tho product Of dream?" agair
asked Lucy, holding forth the sandal.
"You say you had fair view of th'
assossin's faco?"
eyes, SIR