The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-10-18

La Srofx, vas hef otd mason tovef, Aafc Chien.s
 "you are clever devil,r the soman laughed.
 Eh bien '. he continued. Whether be clever os not, poison works well He was dead but l believe she suspected me-anyway, you know nos she grew to hate me, and you knsw too, how she took my little dose, and how Doctor La Croix became guardian to ma belle Blanch and Luloma. svore on the day she died, that 1 would marry hes daughter. Let's drink to success"
 The glasses clinked as they drained the last drop.
 "She says that am too old -. her parents friend Le Diable! Je suis Fannie moi. She shall marry me to- night You shall be the priest, Hagar Sacre. what a priest you will make Let me see you count your beads" The woman growled at the sally. but his out burst of laughter overcame her i'll nature and sie joined in his merry making You will have no trouble" she said "the fool has eaten nothing in two days, and hasn't eaten enough to keep chicken alive, since she has been caged." She replaced the empty bottle, with full one, and their conversation grew louder and less coherent at each draught. Finally, the woman arose and went out with the light
 The mans snores were all tha, broke the stiffness.
 Without undressing, threw myself across my bed, and do not know when fell asleep or how long remained un- conscious.
 A piercing scream brought me to my feet. IL was a female voice. and the cry was one of bitter anguish. listened to 1t repeated. Cold precipitation started on my forehead as heard rapidly advancing footsteps. heard an oath in my hosts voice, which continued "S,op or I'll have the hes.s of you"
 My door had been fastened from the outside. 1 applied my strength and |, gave way. l opened it few inches and the next instant woman fitted pas; me and erouched in the farthest corner of the rosm. Another instant, and the old man came. In his hand saw the glitter of long knife. My hand was on my pistol in a second, and took one step forward to confront him.
 l stepped upon the end of loose plank which slipped to one side-another step, and another loose plank had shifted out of place, leaving an aperture in the floor. He caught sight of me, bu, failed to observe the misiaid blanks. With a demoniacal howl, he raised his knife and sprang at me. For a moment he seemed d to hover above the opening-then disap- peared.
 A dull, sickening sound told that he had struck the pavement, and a moan told that he was beyond help. l re-entered the room. The woman sprang up and attempted to pass me. caught her wrists and spoke, trying to convince her that was not her assailant She was frerzied forced her into chair, and secured the door, preventing her escape. In my saddle wallets had some chemical appliances, among which was a spirit lamp. This l hastened to light. The glare, at first, bewildered her. With head tossed back, and eyes madly aglow. she presented the grandest form of des- perate indignation ever saw. She could not have been older than twenty. Her brown hair fell over her shoulders, and half concealed the snowy neck that had been barred ln her fright and effort to escape me. Her hands were clasped over her bosom. Her form, tall and beautiful, wrapped close in its white drapery, was drawn up to its full height.
 As her eyes grew accustomed to the light her expression changed from ,ne of angry desperation to one of terror and bewilderment. She seemed to believe her persecu,or had metamorphosed himself. l let her look at me for a moment and without speaking ex- tended my hand. She drew back
 Mademoiselle, have no sear," said. ~I am your friend," and approaching her 1 took her hand. "Yor are safe with me, your pursuer is gone" She gave me her other hand, for a moment, and withdrawing them olasped them over her eyes to weep.
 l A cautious effort to unbolt the door. attracted my attention. unfzstened 1t