Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-09-09

anu read fhere hls purpose. To im
plore his mercy was worse than useless
There was no hope for her-none. nm
less. Perehanes. the onyx ring nigh
be Of service, II was a desperat.
thought. bnt her mind instantly srssp
ed it as the only possible means Of de
sfenee left her. ss
As the wreteh's arms closed around
her, and his hated face almost touched
her own. she pressed her thumb i;smly
upon the secret spring tha. eonsscted
with the poisoned blade, and struck
him with all her force fuIl in the
forehead. tI
The fellow drew back amazed. Such
| aaaaaity uasAshelsnnnsxyzuelsa. La
had looked for tears and pleading,
and had experienced peculiar pleasure
in fancying Edith Raymond at his
feet. humbly begging for freedom at
his hands. And she had dared Ia
strike him! He was half inclined to
retallate by giving her a sound beat
ing. The shrew. But no, he might
kill her if once he should give the reins
to his anger; aud that, doubtless, was
what she wished. He would prepare
slower vengeance than that--a ven.
geance that should distil its unequall-
ed bitterness into her life though long
years.
But even while these thoughts were
rushing through his mind, a strange
dizziness seized him. Edith, who sat
bolt upright upon the pallet, dumblv
gazing into the glaring eyes that had
looked as if he were ready to tear her
in pieces like wild beast, saw a sud,
den grayness overspread his features.
The facial muscles twitched, and his
lips became livid. The eyes that
were still fixed upon her widened,
until they seemed starting from their
socket.
Trans6xed oy the horrible sight, she
never moved nor averted her gaze,
until, convulsed by violent spasm,
he fell out of his chair, and lay writh-
ing upon the earth. Then she sprane
to her feet, and looked about for some
water-for something, she knew not
what. TO afford relief. But the poor
space. Even while Edith bent over
him, trying to get at the flask of
brandy that was in his pocket. in her
frightened endeavor to save his worth
less life, the end came.
Edith saw that all was over. Then
came the mad thought, What if she
were imprisoned there, Could the
find the way out OF the cavern"
Half.frenzied, she caught up the can
uAe ohu Sonueuceu u SaIeiui lnspec.
tion of the walls. Not ray of light
from without guided her endeavors.
1t might be evening, for aught she
knew, and the possibility of this gave
her hope. 1t would account for the
utter darkness of the cavern.
After a protracted search. and var
ious vain trials of her strength at dis
placing what appeared to be movable
stones from the walls, she found one
that seemed less likely to resist her
efforts. 1t was thin slab of granite,
and had been half.concealed by the
straw pallet upon which she had lain.
With the aid OF n small iron bar that
she found hidden beneath the straw.
she succeeded at last in prying i. from
its place; and, JOY Of joys! the clear
night air rushed through the opening
Crawling quickly out. she found
herself beneath the bright. starlit
heavens, and heard the roar of the
river distinctly. She would follow
that sound till she should reach its
banks, and then she would have no
difficulty in finding her way toward
home-to some dwelling.house.
II it were not farther distant from
her home than Richard had said, she
would not have more than two miles
or so to 60 before she would reach an
open field. where was situated a farm
house. II her strength would only
last till she could get there, she would
be safe.
Buoyed up by this thought. she
groped her way along through the
wood. 1t was slow and tiresome
work; for though the sky was cloud-
less and the moon shone brightly, the
shadows OF the tall trees envslopsd her
in darkness. She stumbled at nearly
every step. At first she rose to her
feet quickly, and. pressed on viih
energy, but by and by her streHgth
began to fail. AT svery fall she felt
les inclined 10 renew her efforts. The
cold. wet ground became a most in.
viting couch. The mournful signing
of the wind charmed her senses more
etfectually than the softest lullaby of
childhood. Her feet became like lead;
her head swan. Once more she trim