The Newtown bee., 1879-02-11

deserted me, revived and triumphed
 over fear. l knew that to plead for
 mercy, to sue for life, would be in vain.
 My entreaties would be unheeded, and
 perhaps instant death would be the con- sequence. My only hope then lay in
 stratagem. A plan whirled through my
 brain with lightning speed, and upon it
 determined to act.
 Release me, Herbert" I said, with as much calmness as could command,
 "and come sit down by my side. want to talk to you"
 He obeyed.
 "You will be my wifeq" he said.
 You accept my proposition ?" bowed an assent. A triumphant smile lighted up his features.
 "Herbert." I began, ssyou offered mo the rich treasure of your heart, but | blindly and foolishly refused it. recklessly threw away my own happiness, but the act was thoughtless, an unpre- cedented one, and have never ceased to regret it. This time you shall not sue in vain.''
 Another wild, shriIl laugh resounded in my ears, and the maniac's eyes shone additional luster.
 'tI knew," he said, proudly brushing | UtCh tlo lOuB DluCh lO3h6 HUH AIlS ulgus | broad forehead, sI knew your woman's heart could not a second time withstand the power of my charms. Ladies have always courted and admired me. I have been for years the center of universal honor and homage, and though age is creeping on apace, can slip into the heart of a woman as slyly and subtly as in the days of my early manhood Herbert. I will, as I 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 mak- 1 ing preparations; neither can I leave the abiding place of my earthly hus- band without making some ar engagements necessary for his comfort and happiness. I will prepare dinner, | to be ready against his return, and for the little ones God has given me. While am in the flesh must be faith ful to the vows made in the flesh. We will refresh our bodies before starting upon our long journey. It shall be our marriage feast; you shall be the bride groom and the honored. My husband will be there to see the happy exchange I have made"
 Thus I ran on, betraying neither by look nor act the mental terror of my soul. The eyes of the maniac glared less iercely; the knife was replaced in the belt. had touched the right cord in his breast; his vanity had been flat tered by my praises, and by readily &C., cording to his wish s for the passing moment, felt the danger was ayerted.
 Determined to follow mp the advan. tage I had so unexpectedly gained. arose calmly, and with forced smile, said, 1T will go now and prepare the dinner-our wedding feast. We will eat for the last time with our 1t How ate farewelI.
 "So we will I" replied Stanley, gaily. s'So we will. It shall be marriage like the marriage of Cana. Wtter will be turned into wine, and we will eat the bread of life, !" and he folded me to his bosom in rough embrace.
 "Now. Herbert" said l, after a mo- ment, z will go and make ready for our journey; time is precious and we will not delay our happiness. And l proceeded to the dining room and com menced laying the cloth dishes on the tahle: getting necessary preparations for a meal, I hoped by so doing should be able to elude the argus eyes of my | 1allOE. A1lQ WuGA x 1afOAN0Ao AAA11AA1AAe v present itself I would leap from the window and escape by flight.
 But no cat ever watched for prey more closely than Herbert Stanley watched I me. His eyes never left me, and saw I that an attempt to escape would be but I to jump into the very jaws Of death. But as my flight grew more and more hopeless, my mind grew active. A a,-.ss.xJ,& r,,,eylsA o,ouuaa #
 ssn I remember rightly, Herbert, Il said I, "you used to be Q great admlrer of the canine species 2"
 d aYes,o was the reply.
 [ Now,' said I, ' will show you a
 most splendid specimen Of dog; he is
 as cunning as 8 fox, and possesses traits
 of character and sagacity not unworthy sl of the human race. Here, Neptune. And large, shaggy, Newfoundland dog calne slowly into the room. wagglng his { tail with doggish joy.
 ssThat is our only errand boy, | con
 tinued, pointing fo the animal, and 8 better one could not be found. He does 3 our marketing daily, and saves us dea : of trouble. Such as sagaaious creature f you never beheId. All have to do Ii : just to write upon a little bit of papel : whatever we want, and taH. quantity
 and put it in basket, which Neptun, 1 takes in his mouth and presents g. th, \ butcher, baker or grocer, as we tell insa 4 and forthwith he returns with the art e cIes desired. Now, let me exhibit on ' of his expIoite, and you shall judge n we overrate his exploits. We sha i. want meat for our repast, and VI e send for some. .f \ took my pencil from my pocket an : wrote upon little scrap of paper tlsef ,r words:
 V "MR. BRoWN For heavens gal Il come immediately to my rescue. Ia
 completely in the power of Herbo Id Stauley. maniac. Come with for le sufficient to save me and capture lalr x- LAURA MORGAN. ( le a ssWhat have you written? ?'' inquir. .11ss Stanley. whose attention had been f 's 'I the Inst moment only diverted to . os,i dog. perhaps fearing that in spite of ! N ready compliance to lia wishes, l mig aa play him false.
 = q. ' Listen, z I replied, and will re .y ,ar it to you." And I held mp the note q .Ird I read if
 v. IT MR. BRowS-Please send me " nice piece of tenderloin steak. ha ,d unexpected company to-day, and wl ,s' ra, to provide dinner worthy of my gue .nr LAURA MonGAN.' nd [ trembled violently as read, fo
 saw the maniac was q little susp1cis rge of me. With every movement ' 1ae s,s1 tly momentary expectation that ne Wo'
 snatch the paper from mo t0 ascert cut for himself if had indeed LeaQ 1E z! lte was written, and Hnew %sAt bne ael 1ssa uc- tiOn ot my deoepuon WoAt9 po III zs md death. Hastily folding thu note