Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-11-02

my nedu lfOl lIS IeSIllS pldCe VII lid slloul1tcl
'Rupert, do you know II thought was
afraid that you liked Miss Saloni."
'You were indeed mistaken. No man could
help admring Miss Saloni but believe me-
my darling Gertrude, beyond admiration
have never given her a thought"
The rest of the evening sped swiftly by. II
had been happy before, was ten times hap
pier now. l danced every dance, and at sup
per Rupert contrived to secure a secluded
corner, where he detained me so long that
offended one partner that sought me in vain.
was to remain at Holme Lodge that night
and 60 home the next day. nurse having
brought everything requisite for my stay, and
placed ready before she retired.
Having exchanged my ball dress for com
Portable dressing gown, and my satin shoes fol
fur lined slippers, sat by the fire in my bed
room, dreaming bright dreams, and weaving
fairy fancies loved and was beloved. Was
not that the height of human bliss ? Could
any other JOY compare with it ? Truly it is
written -
"Theres nothing halfso sweet in life
AS loves young DREAM
1t was long before got into bed, but once
there fell into a deep slumber, and no dreams
of the future disturbed it.
Suddenly awoke-awoke with a full, sure
consciousness of the presence OF some one or
something terrible in the room. Who or what
it was could not tell, and I dared not at.
tempt to find out. lay with my face turned
! to the wall, every limb stiff and still, and the
chill blood in my veins curdling with fear.
At last an icy finger touched me; and as
though under some mesmeric influence SLOW
ly moved my head.
The fire had died out, but night lamp was
dimly burning, and by it's light | saw loose
ly robed figure, with cloud of raven hair
falling almost to its knees; luridly glowing
eyes, set in a deathly pallid face; and in one
appraised hand cleaning stilettO, with jewel
ed handle and finely pointed.
I could utter no cry; could make no move
ment. l remained spellbound and dumb, my
eyeballs staring and my lips blanching, know.
ing was at the mercy OF a mad woman, and
recognizing in her Isabella Saloni.
Again she touched ME and though shud-
dered, could not draw away.
"You sleep soundly," she said, "but you
have awaked at last. The sleep of death is
the soundest of all sleeps, for there is no
awakening from it And SO he told you he
loved you-you, not me Oh what do you
know of love? What does he know of love
1t is who love, I-I-I!" and her voice rose
shrill and high. Then she continued, after a
moments pause, 81 am going to kill you to-
night. He cannot love you then. lie will
forget you, and it will he my turn"
But the spell was broken. With piercing,
echoing cry for help, l flung aside the bed
clothing and sprang out on to the floor. There
came one sharp, fierce blow, an agonizing
pain-and then darkness and oblivion.
1t was twilight when came to my senses.
The curtains were drawn, and bright fire
crackeled cheerfully in the CRATE.
Vaguely wondering as to what had happen
ed, attempted to sit up, but the only effect
of the exertion was a low moan of anguish:
A gentle voice addressed me sOothinly, and
Mrs Morton leaned over me, and slipping
her arm under the pillow, lifted me up, and
gave me some cooling beverage to drink. I
fell asleep directly, and when | awoke again
gray days light was creeping in at the win.
dow, and nurse was sitting by my side.
"Thank Heaven - she calculated, fervent-
ly, as | feebly raised my hand. "Ah but
you're better, now, my lamb"
"Haye been i'll 90 whispered.
GA little, dearie,'' she answered, terderly
stroking my hair.
''But-what was it? Why am not at
home 20
"Hush my pretty. You mustn't talk any
more now. Lie still, and another time you
shall hear all about it,"
All, me! What weary days, what weary
WEEKS, CllOSe were lIltt lldu W oIlll.
Waking and sleeping, l was haunted by half
delirious visions of that dreadful night.
could not bear to be left alone for even a few
minutes. A hittering shadow in the corner,
fold Of drapery would nearly send me into
Mysteries.
At last when the birds were blithely carroll
ing welcome to the spring, and trees and
hedgerOws were bursting into leaf, l was car
ried from my bed to a sofa in the adjoining
room, and from that time recovery was more
rapid.
Harvest was just over when Rupert and I
were quietly married at a village church. The
winter following we spent abroad. Papa join
ing us at Nice in October, and accompanying
us on the remainder of our travels.
Isabella Saloni is in a private asylum near
London. Insanity, it appeared on inquiry
was hereditary in her family, though the fact
had always been kept as secret as possible.
Poor, poor girl only think of her now
with intense pity and compassion.