The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-08-08

his other in such position that could not
catch it, but swung entirely at his mercy.
leaped TO reach the rope with my feet,
and so hang by my heels, but | failed. !
shut my eyes and prayed Heaven TO forgive
me. Every act OF my past life rushed
| through my BRAIN ut the same time ! was
perfectly conscious of everything about me
the blue sky, the quiet evening, the rope, the
bottom of the car, and Ranford's head in
vorted over mo. | though what u time I
should I've falling. | knew how slowly the
sand sank from the car, and what long,
long time should he dying ere | reached
| the earth.
al found strength TO speak.
| "' Raniord.' ! said, you are mistaken
"' You licl' he answered.
90 II you let go my hand you are muir
dercr. There will be an inquest
"'I don't care
| "' IL is known that there was ill-blood
between u.s. | continued. You may I've
hanged. Your wife will say how jealous
| -
ga wife cannot give evidence against
| her husband
al knew the next moment I should he
falling through the air. spasm shot to
my heart. fancied | saw the bottom of the
car rising from me. felt the grasp OF his
| fingers loosen! With the energy and
strength of desperation, l leaped up and
caught his wrist with my disengaged hand.
climbed up his body, | know not how, till
| reached the perch, and thence into the car,
where lay painting for breath, and trem-
bling like hare.
Gle soon followed me. Il frightened
you, didn't II he said. 'You don't sup.
pose meant it, do you p
al made no answer, but prepared for the
| lVtiln nrrn fln al "a mn
hands met. could not bear his touch.
struck him, and knocked him into the bot
tom of the car, where he lay, growing and
swearing, till we came to earth. Next morn
ing called on the proprietor of the gardens
and told him all. To my intense astonish.
ment he fatty refused to cancel our engage.
ment, and so broke it myself. got an
engagement at Glasgow, and left London
without seeing either Ranford or his unior.
tunate wife and child.
"Two years passed away, during which
heard but little of my late partner. Will,
Twas performing at Manchester heard Of
an old friend of mine, of the name of Coobic
being at circus in neighbOring town.
took the train, and went over to see him.
dined with him, and Mt I o'clock we went
together to the circus. Lounging near the
entrance saw Ranford. He was consider
ably altered-thinner, and il possible, NOR,
evil-eyed than ever.
81 entered the circus, and was accommo
dated with seat in the orchestra. could no
helpthinking my old partner, and strange
nervousness came upon me, as II something
was about to happen but the feeling wore
of when Ranford came into the ring. The
audience applauded loudly, for lie had thrown
a treble somerset twice before, and was
favorite in consequence
tlnt ha tvo Splnr and noticed
that he had the same little star upon his fore
head that be wore the last time we made Al
ascent together. While the grooms were
altering the springboard he walked up TO TIN
orchestra, and, with the old demoniac smil
upon his face, said to me:
"'You can't keep away, then, can you
You will comet
"'Ranford,' l whispered, you're no
yourself tonight; take my advice-don'
throw the treble!'
Gle swore an oath, and then burst into
loud laugh.
"'You want me to fail, do you p he said
+ fail when you're here! lli--youp-laH
Gle ran ON the springboard. He got tn
spring, and over he went--once, twice. NJ.
, heart rose in my mouth, for saw that he ha,
, not room TO turn third time. His hea
came down with horrible thud among TIL
tan and sawdust, and he lay in the ring
doubled up and dead
Ranford hardly leita pound bell ind him
, gave the widow an address that would al
| ways find me, and told her to write when
t ever--when-if she wanteil-that is, when
, ever she required assistlncs.
First the poor thing tried 10 set ny
. school for children, but that failed and
knowing that she must have been pressed,
often sent to her. | don't know how 1t cam
about, but after q long correspondence and
' courtship married her. And here she come
with my beef tea, and here comes Eveina
n for that's the very woman, air, and that $ til
very little girl-and real beauty she is |!