The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-07-27

Her head sunk despondingly on her haud
and the silent minutes dropped into hours
before she stirred.
AT last she arose.
~ will do it," she whispered, land this
very night, Or it will be too late. They all
sleep by this time, and have no minutes
to waste, " she hastily added, as the little
mantle clock softly tolled twelve. 'If. I
would escape, l must DO so tonight"
Her few preparations were hastily made,
aud she crept stealthily from the room.
She paused moment TO listen. but pro-
found silence relgned over the house, and
her mutlied boots gave no sound as she eau
tiously CROPPED her way down stairs.
at the bottom she stumbled over the
mat catching her breath sharply in her ef-
fort to preserve herself from fall.
The noise was triling, but, shivering
with alarm, she paused minute to listen.
The silence continued unbrokcn, and she
again CROPPED her way through the dense
darkness.
Once she paused again, continedt that
| she heard a cat-like tread In the darkness
| behind her
Then she went stealthiiy on, assured that
1t was only the product of her own excited
imagination.
She directed her steps to the back door,
remembering that that fastened with u bolt.
and consequently offered the possibility of
a more quiet egress.
Her milling hand had Just started the
bolt, when there was a sudden quick rush
IN the darkness, aud before she could move
fierce hand fell upon her outstrctchcd
arm.
"Sol" Kissed Mr.. Orrell's voice.
And the next instant, speechless with
Terror, she was caught in his strong arms
| and borne back to her chamber.
White as death she stood before him, as
he released her.
Lis deep set eyes flashed angrily upon
her beneath his gray eyebrows. But he
said nothing-only took her by the shoul-
der and hurried her rudely to the window
Throwing lack the heavy silken hang
| lngs he opened the easement, and pointed
| below.
1t was brilliant moonlight night; and
there, pacing the lawn with sentinel alert
| ness, was one Of the men-servants.
Mr.. Orrell closed the window IN the same
! expressive silence.
Then lie turned to her.
''Four men have been detailed for that
duty tonight" he said, significantly. "All
the doors will be left unlocked try it again
| if you like"
And with the words he strobe from the
room.
How the night passed, Veronica never
knew.
But it did pass.
The marriage was to take place at eleven
| o'clock the next day.
Herbert could not reach there till ten, and
! between ten and eleven there wonld be ana
pie time for his preparation.
| a little before eleven Veronica was in her
spotless bridal robes in the great drawing
room.
MIR. Orrell eyed her critically.
"You look well-very WE'LL" he said !;
''quite worthy your handsome bridegroom
But why he should be such laggard, is a
mystery" he. concluded, little uneasily.
And his pitiless eye left Veronica's beau
tiful but dead-like face, and turned toward
distant window.
Almost at the same moment there was a
faint sound of distant wheels.
"Ha, at last !" he cried. "And he comes
at mad pace"
Nearer and nearer the wheels came, until
they stopped at the grand entrance.
There was sound of hurrying feet and
sutdued voices; and leaving the white faced
bride, the impatient father hurried to the
hall.
There he met ghastly spectacle.
The dead body of his son, borne by the
worthy clergyman (who had accompanied
him) and several Of the awed servants.
| "a terrible accident !" faltered the
clergyman, in answer to the anguishcd gaze
Of the bcreavcd father.
And without word or gesture, the father
fell prone before them.
When they raised him he was dead.
year later, Veronica became the happy
wife Of the beggarly secretary.
-.--e--
Poisonous Water Coiors.