The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-01-31

lGk DIhINh NllNON1 bNibAO hNii 'ANh
forked tongue and glistening eyes, a
young cobra looked down upon its vic
tim. But Jane Marchmont was made OF
brave material and drawing the long
poniard she always carried, she waited
courageously for the great greenish head
TO descend.
1t came slowly down. The white
fangs looked keen and sharp, aud the
hideous mouth yawued like the mouth
of some terrible cavern.
| Jane felt the edge of the poninrd; it
would have split hair. Aud graspiig
tie handle tightly she waited for the last
quick dart which the serpent would
make at his victim, and when it came
she raised the poniard high in the air
and gave the cobra enc deadly blow. II
was dealt with her whole strength, and
tho blood spurted in great red drops on
her clothes, while the body slowly un-
wound itself from the limb and fell upon
TIE grcensward by the severed head.
Miss Marchmont eyed the dead serpent
fxedly, and q fendish thoaght entered
her brain.
Unwinding the crimson scarf from
her neck and shoulders she wiped her
dagger. Then, with the aid of the scarf,
she drew the dead body into the arbor
and covered it carefully with leaves.
Half an hour later she entered the din
ing.room as ccmposedly as though Sic
had but come from a quiet slumber, and
embracing Ler cousin, teNsed her play
fully. Late in the afternoon dack com
plained of headache, and with the
gentlest touch in the world Miss March
mont bathed it in cologne, and advised
her TO walk down TO the arbor and have
a quiet nap.
"If I sleep too long you mnst call me-
for Donald is TO come Mt o'clock" she
slid, as she stood on the threshold of the
por, Naune.te, the maid, was brush
ing the hall aud heard the low tenes, as
Jack stepped off the yerauda.
Miss Marchmont promised, aud
queer, inexplicable smile played around
her mouth as Jack disappeared down the
walk,
"She haa gone TO her DEATH she hissed
rfor the living cobra will as surely fol-
low the trail of its dead mate as the sun
shines, It's there by this time and woe
to you. Jacqueline Kane! Your lovers
eyes will see you loathsome, bloated
= thing, when next they rest upon you;
) and, as you die, so may perish all who
d stand between my love aud me-"
Tie moments crept on, and the bard
S on the dial pointed 10 the hour OF 8.
o Miss Marchmont walked back aud forth,
o her rustlng silk trailing in heavy folds
e on the soft carpet, and fer hands locked
tightly together, Unable to endure the
l. suspense, she threw open the low Frel ct
10 window and went slowly down the wax
= A horrible sight met her eyes.
=. Jack lay sleeping en- the settee he
IA hands crossed lightly on her breas', ant
:, her long, loose hair falling in gliltelinl
= mass over the crimson cushion. Al ov'
!, her, with slow. undulating molten,
"a living snake was swaying to and frc
- while the air was heavy with drll
slCkening smell.
For n moment her healt failed her, bp
- only for moment. Setting her teetl
~ firmly together, she prepared TO see tn
q cobra give the deatA-blow to the unoou
" scious sleeper.
Lower it swung and lower. more sub
a tie still grew that dangerous scent Th
n, great, green head bent farther down, an
OK the terrible mouth opened to its wides
capacity.
OF Miss Marehmont crouched low in th
ss path.
"Di,g she gaspea, "Die Jacquein
nd Kane. I would not turn my hand
in save You from thousand deaths" He
MT hands were tightly clenched and her fac
was covered with perpiration, but he
heart was bravo with its murderous pu
ia pose.
The snake now ceased its undulatoi
motion and with its horrible eyes IA
tened on ills victim raised its head f
the fiual blow. Up it came, the jaw
-, dsteuded, the cruel !sngs Rhining, Il
=, forked tongue darting toward the sleel
- ing gItl-then--R crunching of heels c
the graveled walk, the sharp report of
, pistol and Jack lay seuseless, but save
= in Donald's arms, while the cobre, mu
49, Hated, bleeding and dead. fell On II
arbor floor.
Miss Marchmont stood for a single i
slant as if trausfxed. ''You are mu
"a deress," said Holland, pointing to Il
ia body OF the serpent that was covert
49, with her scarf. Thank heNven 1 can
or in time to save my poor Jacqueline."
=. Miss Marchmout turned slowly, stePp,
49,, backward, and tell prone upon the cart
,m1 the point Of the poniard piercing h
'.. very hoart.
~ u die" she said. turning her glezil
eyes upon him, 'for death is pleasant
~" than lite without you. But | wou
lD have killed her if could. You ha
saved her from the fate prepared
: ~, W her, and be happy if you can, knowi
o., that my dying curse shall follow y
=. both"
~ The death rattle sounded in her thro
'S and her head fell uack on the ground.
Nes'
'red Months after Donald led his bride
I'tie the altar aud to-day there is not ha
iod' pier pair in the Palmetto state than y
on aud Mrs. II illaud Out IN tue aTbor
aoh- solitary grave. aud often Jack tab
not her children there AID tells them I