Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1885-11-21

ton why this man had been permitted t,
trace and follow her and for a while enjoyed
his triumph, she found herself speculative
and wondering how and by what means thu
interposition of the Divine hand would b,
shown. She waited for the moment when
from some apparently earthly cause, the cul
ofuiumph would be dashed from his lips
She waited and waited, and although tht
hours passed without sign, never wayereC
in her belief that even at the last moment de
liverance would be brought about
Once or twice she turned and looked at hel
companion, and by the same strange fancy
which had before seized her, persuaded her.
self that the something which she imagined
she saw in his face and which betokened ap-
preaching death, grew more and more dis
tinct. She felt no pity for the man; nor
would she have dared to attempt second
warning; but she gazed on him with a kind
of awe, raised by the thought that in a brief
space of time this wretched creature would
by lying in the place appointed for him, ly-
ing there, and to lie there, for ever, and ever,
and ever!
Her madness, if it may be called madness,
deepened as the time passed by. After all,
in spite of its claims to superiority, the mind
is but the slave of the body. The yoke NAV
be thrown aside for while, but sooner or
later its pressure becomes apparent Fatigue
and want of food were with Sarah Miller
completing what distress had begun. Yet to
herself it seemed that she had never seen
things clearer, never reasoned more cOgentIy
than at this moment when her brain was
taxed beyond endurance.
How woaId God act? Would He shlke
this man dead as he sat there? Would some
thing frightful happen? Would the train be
overturned? AS this question exercised her
every jolt as the wheels passed the points
sent thrill through her and made her fancy
the moment was at hand.
No. This could not be the appointed
method. MercilesS as her creed taught her
to believe the One to Whom she prayed, her
sense Of justice forbade her to suppose that
many other lives must be sacrificed for the
sake OF destroying Maurice Hervey. She
must wait patiently and in faith, not antici-
pate Gods purpose. But the time was grow
ing very shortI
Suddenly she turned and knelt on the floor
OF the carriage She offered up prayer that
things might be made clear to her; that her
agony OF suspense might be brought to an
end. Hervey watched her and laughed aloud.
"Quite right, Sarah, eSaid. ''Never neg
lect your religious Observances. / am afraid
you can't pray yourself out of this situation;
but there's no harm in trying"
The sound of his voice gave another and a
fresh turn to her thoughts. At that moment
her prayer was answered and everything
grew clear. The clouds which troubled her
rolled away, or, it may be, closed round her
to break no more.
She shivered, and still kneeling turned her
face to the speaker. Her look for moment
startled him in spite of the contempt he felt
for her religious vagarieS. And well it might
Startle him.
Now she knew ALL She knew why she had
lived. She knew to what she was predeStin-
ed. Cycles ago this moment had been de-
creed. 1t was she whom God had appointed
tOremOve thisman fromthe path which led one
Of the elect to happiness Even as Jael, even
rs Judith, had their mission sOhad she, Sarah
Miller, mission equally terrible, that of slay-
ng man whom God had doomed. With
her brain flooded, peImeated by this one fear
iul thought, the woman rose from her knees
Ind resumed her seat.
Everything, she fancied, with her mind be-
Vildered in reality, yet to herself seemingly
lear, pointed to the carrying out of this de-
rec of destiny. The solitude, the night
Ourney, even the mans half-helpleSs cOndi-
ion were but details of settled scheme.
The opportunity was here, only the way and
he means were wanting. These in good
ime would be yOuchsafed to her. She would
)e shown how she, weak woman, was to
axe the life of strong man.
Little did Maurice Heryey, as from the eff
ects of fatigue, cigars and brandy, he sat
lalf doing in the corner of his compartment,
lleam what thoughts were passing through |
he mind of the woman near him. To him |
he was nothing more than an addle-headed |
ort of creature, who once upon time had |
lone great deal towards bringing him to |
uin; an act which he rightly believed he was |
low paying her in full,
How was she to do itP Time was passing,
md yet the path was not yet pointed out.
Zee. the mans eyes were clOsedl Had the
moment come? If she had knife she might |
wen now drive it into his heart! But she /
lad no knife; had nothing which would serve
Ter need. or rather Gods need Suddenly
he remembered, as one remembers dream,
hat hours and hours ago she had seen fel-
0w passenger opening a bag, and had noticed
N the top of that bag pistol. Had she been
flowed to catch sight of the weapon for the
urpose which she was deputed to carry out?
SO, where was that pistol, and how could
he get it into her hands? She rose, and with
ut any settled object, passed Hervey and /
topped out into the gangway.
Her movement awOke him. He put his
cad through the door and watched her as a
at watches mouse. Sarah went the length
the long carriage but found nothing to
uide her to her end. Every door was her
sealed. 1t seemed as if she and her
We're the only persons awake.
he only sound heard was the ceaseless rush
+ the train as it tore its way on and on
trough the night.
The woman returned and resumed her seat
he means had not yet been given her. A
hant0m Of comm0n-sense also fitted through
er mind. If she killed this man in sab
tanner, itmeant arrest and trial of herself.
meant shame and exposure to her loved
distress. No. she must wait yet while.
cd had not yet spoken the last word; not
ct shown the exact way in which His work
as to be done. Yet her belief never swerv-
|. never wavered:-
Or not until she knew that the end of the
ng dreary journey was close at hand; not
ltil kind of Instinct told her that in a few
l0rt minutes Munich would be reached.
ervey, whom necessities had deprived Of
e means of telling the time, was still Sleep
Ig his wakeful and suspicious dog's-sleep.
ndGenly the long shrilI whistle sounded.
he man started up wide awake, and for the
rst time for hours doubt as to her true
aiding Of Gods purpose flashed through
arah ALiller's brain. The time was so short.
here was so much-s0 much to be done.
he way was stu IN darkness. Would the
st few moments light itups
She clenched her hands convulsively, dig
ng the nails Of one into the flesh Of the
her. She glanced once moro at Hervey's
pp which frf, his fafftr,,a h, ,l-,id 4ila and