The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-06-28


"Go to Agnes,'' was all he had time
to say, hurrying past as Susan's cries
grew fainter and fainter. Rushing into
the room, he threw himself upon Sim
mons, with whom the poor woman was
struggling bravely, having contrlved,
though not without injury, to wrest
from his grasp a knife, with which he
had threatened EfIle's life. 1t was
Susan's blood that had stained the
child's face and hands.
Evidently Colonel Holt had not arrlv-
ed moment too soon on the scene. He
caught the murderous CLEAN in the
wretched mans eyes, aud shuddered at
what might have happened had he
altogether disregarded poor EfIie's story.
"You villain, you" he began but
the words died away on his lips as the
poor creature, struggling violently in
his grasp, uttering piercing scream,
and fell back-dead
MRS. HOLT TO MRS. PERCEvAL.
"THE PRIoRY, August 10.
"MY DEAR Mrs. PERCEvAL We
safe arrival, and trust that under your
care her nerves may before long recover
from the dreadful shock they have sus-
tained. We are very glad poor Susan's
wounds are healing so quickly. 1t has,
indeed, been a fearful tragedy, and both
Fred and 1 are quite unstrung by it all.
1, for one, shall never refuse to believe
in dreams again. But that reminds me
/ have yet to tell you the strangest part
of the story.
The brother of the poor wretched
man came to see my husband a day or
two ago. He was naturally in the deep
est distress, for great affection had
existed between him and his brother.
He told us that about eighteen months
ago, ever since visit we had paid to
Lord D, where he had gone with
us, his brother had taken to betting and
gambling, and going out at night to
play cards at public house there is in
the village. The result of all this was
that he lost every penny of his savings,
and ran deeply into debt. He was
engaged to very foolish, vain woman,
who only cared for him for what he
could give her, and did nothing but
abuse and reproach him when no more
money was forthcoming, and altogether
made his life burden to him.
"About this time he heard us at din
ner and at other times talking of Eflie's
diamonds, and of how she was coming
on visit, and was to bring them with
her. He had conlided his many troubles
to his brother, who happened to have a
months holiday and had taken lodgings
in the village, and his brother lent him
money enough to clear him. The fatal
love of play, however, still clung to
him, and now comes the strange part of
my tale.
"The night of the third of August
last year he had terrible dream. Hav-
ing promised his brother to keep from
play, he had gone to bed early, instead
of going out as he had been in the habit
of doing. But he could not sleep, and
tossed from side to side, his mind filled
with visions of Effie's diamonds, which
had again been the subject of conversa-
ton at dinner. About dawn he fell into
troubled sleep, and dreamed that you
and Effie had arrived; and that she had
come down to dinner resplendent with
diamonds, the sight of which, to use his
own words, raised the devil within him.
The passion for gambling seized on him
with ronouad foroo anI ha nf o,,oo
determined to steal the diamonds and
make off to America. He felt he would
not even stop short of murder itself in
order to accomplish his desire. In his
dream he waited at table and performed
all his duties as quietly and as perfectly
as ever, but his resolution did not waver
The house was shut up for the night,
and he found himself in the pantry
searching among the knives for the one
which he considered best suited to his
purpose Armed with it, he stole up to
Effie's room about two o'clock in the
morning. Entering very softly, he
stood for moment listening to her
quiet, even breathing, which showed
she was fast asleep. A night-light was
burning, and he could see the glitter of
the diamond ornaments, as they lay
scattered about the dressing table.
He moved forward to secure them,
and, in so doing, made some slight
noise, which awoke the poor child, and
with a piercing scream she started up in
bed. Then, so he dreamed, he pushed
her down and threatened to murder her
lie oh inA