The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-08-21

| lOf Il Single mOlnenJ all WOulu DC
right ; for let me tell you, it's no
easy matter when two on ems to-
.gether to do the job clean"
Il must return to the party now,
else my absence may attract atten-
tion," rejoined Clara. "Tormented
with strange forebodings, l seized
this cloak and monaged to approach
this point unobserved. 1t was in
cautious, but could not withstand
the fearful temptation. They will
return this way, and if they should
alone, strike All is ready for your
escape, and no suspicion can attach
to me, as I am one of the guests, and
as | have been on apparently quite
friendly terms with this destroyer
of my peace during the whole even
ing. fyou are unable to avenge
me tonight, shall be at the cot
tage of the gardener tomorrow fore
noon. / must now away"
Once more the entrance Of the ar
Dor was darkened by the two figures,
that of the lady quickly disappear
ing, while CASTOR remained.
On finding himself alone, the vii
liam removed his hat for a moment,
disclosing a low, retreating forehead
and face the most repulsive, which
he began to mop with a red pocket
handkerchief.
This latter accomplished, he drew
from his bosom a long, shining knife
or blade, which flashed for an in
slant in the moon, and then stepping
aside, he concealed himself among
the foliage, as if to await the reap
pearance of his intended victim.
L was, as might be presumed, in q
state of the most dreadful excite
ment and alarm, for here l was in a
secluded part of the grounds, with
an assassin within few feet of me
meditating terrible deed and not
knowing at what instant he might
out and plant his deadly weapon in
the heart of Miss L once she had
passed the entrance of the arbor
My hope of escape was cut off
completely for it was impossible for
me to work my way through the
dense sides of the retreat without a
noise that would lead to my discov-
cry. So l kept my eye fastened
steadily on the approaching foot
steps of my friend and his compan-
ion, to burst forth from my conceal
ment and apprise them of their dam
ger.
This decided upon, without a mo-
ment's hesitation, l cautiously sank
on one and began to take off my
shoes, which, although very light,
would still make considerable noise
on the gravel. 1 had removed one
of them, and was about to relieve
myself of the other, when my hand
touched something cold that was ly-
ing on the ground. l erasped it
noiselessly, and found it to be a
short crowbar, that had, l supposed
been used in removing stones from
the walks.
I was now armed, and, regaining
mp feet, l stood diversed of my
shoes, determined to cope with the
murderer when the moment arriv-
ed.
I was not long in suspense, for
scarcely had l stood erect with the
crowbar in my hand, when the sill
very laugh of Florence and the gay
voice of Frederick fell upon my ear.
There was a slight rustling among
the leaves near the entrance of the
arbor, and I observed CASTOR cauti-
ously peering through the opening
while his terrible blade glittered
again in the moonbeams.
His back was turned toward me,
and as the young lovers were now
close by, he seemed preparing him
self to spring out from his conceal
! mcnt the instant they had passed.
There was not q second to be lost
for they were already opposite the
grotto, and in another moment the
murderer would be upon them. My
breath came thick and fast, and be
fore 1 was aware of my movements
l found that l had crept within a
single pace ofhim.
His knife was suddenly lifted
above his head, and perceiving that
Frederick and Florence had now
left the arbor a few PAGES behind
stepped forth softly on the grass
[ careful not to tempt the noisy grave
and was in the act of stealing upor
} them, when, with a swift and terri
g BILE blow 1 felled him senseless tt
the earth, while uttering, at the sam'
= time a cry for help that reached tn,
= lawn near the mansion.
In a moment Frederick was by
e my side, wild with surprise anC
: alarm, while Florence fell. almos