The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-11-10


Lanoresnrs sat in bis den. anil with Tia
certainty in las heart that the despcrad,
had dis covered him and mediis,ed hi
death, he cody speoula,ed upon his chan
ees Of escape
Small, indeed be found them, trapped
as he was, and the words oiih old mother
again recurred TO him with more Of fatal
meaning than before.
Under the stese' under the stonel
The eyena wore on Morrison attempt
ed some cd Brsstion with the host. bu
the man y tsciturn. and morcss. Ant
answered hin shortly. The younger wo.
man busted herself about the room. and
muttered in her chimney coraer. her ugly,
wrinkled iAce lii BY the dsiul CLEANS q
the dying ere. until. 70 the broooding i'm
sgination Of the watchiul traveller. she
seemed very witch. sloating over the
graves of her Victims. Bad thoughts
those for one whose wits sione must save
him from the murdcrer's knife ere morn
ing at length as the tallow dip shortened,
and its "winding sheet" grew long aud
white. Morrison arose from the stool.
knocked the sshesfrom his pipe, and ask.
ed that he might he shown where to lie, as
he was worn and weary.
He felt sure Of one thing mo attack
would be made upon him until he slept,
unless he showed fear OF attack, and he
therefore desired by an apparent wustful.
ness, to obtain all possible time. 10 order
to plan defense to escape.
At his request, Lizette arose.
Ye kin go into the loft, and she pointed
toward the rough ladder. Thar's pile OF
blankets thar, and reckon yoll comfor.
table Eye hear any noise below, don't
be disturbed, for the old woman sleeps by
the fire, an she talks and walks around
sometimes She's broke kinder.
Morrison laughed lightly.
Tn too hearty sleeper to notice that
under q roof. In the timber one ear is
open all night; but when bunk in a cabin
| sleep.
He took the candle offered him and
climbed to the loft above. Then, finding
the blankets. he, threw himself down, ex.
his hight and waited.
One weapon his enemy had left him
his trusty knife in his boot top and that
closely grasped in his hand, he turned his
face to the rough hewn logs and listened
For while no sound broke the silence
below Without he could hear the occa-
sional stamp Of his horse, tethered near
the hut and the signing Of the night wind
in the pines.
There was no window in the attic, and as
the roof was of heavy logs, fight was out
Of the question. II attacked, he must
fight for his life! r
He set his teeth firmly. This was not
The first time he had faced death; but the
odds We're fearfully against him.
An hour passed, when suddenly there
was stir below. With bated breath he
listened.
Lamoreaux had evidently arisen, for his
heavy feet could be heard upon the floor
He stopped near the fireplace.
Git up!
The words were half whispered, but
hey came clearly to Morison's ears. And
t was the hag who answered, cackling,
Under the stone under the stone! did
Curse ye and the stone, tool Missed the
nan. Ye must do it ag'in! Git up above
'n'-ye know whatl
There was silence for moment.
Come; be quick, ye old devil!
Under the stone-under the stone;
rooned the witch What, more? she
uddenly continued. in an intense tone.
In has he money, money--gold? An will
q give me some i'll tear his throat out?
More than before?
Her voice was louder, now, and wild.
AyelIll give ye more Git up-quick-
Y, too; an see he does not cry ont, con-
Inued Lamoreaux, rs the woman arose, he
lust not wakel Ye must shut yer hands
o--tight, tight!--an' never open them
| know, know, croaked the murderess,
oarsely. Help me up.
And from the sound Morrison knew
iat together they were approaching the
,ot OF the ladder.
His blood ran chill Must he kill this
ID woman? Was she the stranger who '
lrried out the plan her demon son plan
ed? II would seem 80.
The ladder was cracking beneath her !
tread. A moment later and the
aiting man in the lott would discern !
.onching figure upon the floor, creeping I
It-like toward him. He even noted the il
listen OF her fendish eyes, the light :
ratch Of her clsw-like nails against the n
gs. Motionless he lay, his knife thrust !
lck into his boot.top, both his hands s
ady for the attack.
The woman was alone. Her noble son o
aited below until the danger was past. Y
Nearer and near she drew, now hslting q
listen and again advancing, but 30
recting her course as to come upon her :
tended victim from the direction in .
hich his head lay. 30 doing, she could '
eze his throat with her whole strength, n
ID he, thus terribly awakened, would i
inly beat the air without danger TO the il
ragler II was simple plan yet dis. b
ideally cunning h
Already the hag was in place already v
CT skinny arms were out stretched, her n
newy hands open to grasp the warm u
.rost OF her victim. her poisonous breath y