The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-06-12

led directly ~ my heart, and. stoo'
tpowerless and motionless - = statue
| But with this honr Of peril cam
strength adequate to the emergency
The courage which hsd for mOmen
4 deserted mo revived and triumphe,
over fear. knew that to plead 70
mercy, to sue for life, would be il
vain. Ny entreaties would be un
needed, and perhaps instant dealt
would be the consequence. Ny ONLY
hope, then, lay in stratagem. A plar
whirled through my brain with light
ming speed, and upon It determined
to act. isis'4.t
Release :..e, Herbert / said, with
- much calmness as could command
and come cit down by my eide.
wait to talk to you
He obeyed.
You will be my wife3' he said.
you accept my proposition 2
bowed an assent. A triumphant
smile lighted up his features.
HERBERT l began, you offered me
the rich treasure Of your heart, but I
blindly and foolishly refused 1t. ]
-ecklessly threw away my own hap.
piness, but the act was thoughtlese, an
unprecedent one, aud L have never
ceased to regret it. This time you
shall not sne in vain
Another wild, shrill laugh resound.
ed In my ears, and the maniac's eyes
shoue with additional luster.
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 center of universal honor
and homage, and though age 10 creep
ing on apsce, can clip into the heart
Of . woman ~ slyly and subtly IS in
the days Of my early manhood'
, Herbert, 1 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
making preparations neither can 1
leave the abiding place of my earthly
husband Without making some ar.
rangements necessary for his comfort
aud happiness. I will prepare q din
ner to be ready against his return. aud
for the little ones God has given me.
While I am in the flesh must be
faithful to the vows made in the hesh.
We will refresh our bodies before
starting upon our long journey. 1t
shall be our marriage feast You shall.
be tho bridegroom and the honored
guest. My husband will be there to
see the happy exchange have made
Thus I ran on, betraying neither by
word or act the mental terror of my
soul. The eyes of the maniac Glared
less fiefcely; the knife was replaced
in the belt I had touched the right
cord In bis breast; his vanity had been
dattsred by my praises, and by readily
acceding to his wishes for the passiag
felt the danger was averted.
Determined to follow up the advaa.
tage I had so unexpectedly gained, l
arose calmly, and with forced emile,
said. I will 60 now and prepare the
wedding feast. We will
eat for the last time with our fellow
and take of them an Affection
ate farewell aa.s
SO we will r replied Stanley, gaily.
So we will. 1t shall be q marriage
like the marriage OF Cana. Water
will be turned into wine, and we will
sat the bread Of life, and he folded
me to his bosom in q rough embrace.
Now, Herbert said l, after mo-
ment of unceremonious hugging, Il
will GO and make ready for our jour-
ney; time is precious, and we will
not delay our happiness.' And Ipro-
seeded to the dining-room and COM
laying the cloth and dishes on
The table; getting necessary prepara-
Iions for meal. Ihoped by 20 doing
I should be able to elude tho argus
syes Of my jailor, and when favora-
BILE moment should present itself l
would leap from the window and es-
APE BY flight.
But no cat eyer watched for prey
more closely than Herbert Stanley
watched me. His eyes never left me,
md saw that an attempt to escape |
would be but to jump into the very |
avs of death. But as my flight grew |
more and more hopeless, my mind |
yrew active. A bright thought crossed |
{.
If l remember rightly, Herbert
aid l, you used to be great admir- |
,r of the canine species2
sYes,' was the reply.
Now said 1, Il will show you . |
most splendid specimen OF q dog; he
. - cunning as fox, and possesses
rats Of character aud sagacity not un-
worthy of the human race. Here,
Neptune And large. shaggy New
ouodiaud dog came slowly into the
'oom, wagging his tail with doggish
oy; :, -.
inued. pointing 10 the animal, and .
,etter one could not be found. He
loes our marketing daily, and saves
10 . deal Of trouble. Such sagacious |
;reature you never beheld. All I have |
o do II just to write upon q little bit
u fpaper whatever we want, and the
Quantity, and put it in basket, which |
Neptune takes in his mouth and pre-
'ents to the butcher, baker, or grocer,
- We tell him, and forthwith he re-
;urns with the articles desired. Now |
ll-ga