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

plore his mercy was worse than useless.
There was no hope for her--none, I'M
less, perchance, the onyx ring might
be of service 1t was a desperate
thought, but her mind instantly grasp
ed it as the only possible means of de.
fence left her.
AS the wretch's arms closed around
her, and his hated face almost touched
her own she pressed her thumb firmly
upon the secret spring that connected
with the poisoned blade, and struck
him with all her force full in the
forehead.
The fellow drew back amazed. Such
audacity was wholly unexpected. He
had looked for tears and pleading,
and had experienced peculiar pleasure
In fancying Edith Raymond AZ his
feet, hunbly begging for freedom al
his hands. And she had dared tc
strike himl He was half inclined to
retaliate by giving her sound beat
ing. The shrew But no, he might
kill her if once he should give the rein'
to his anger; and chat, doubtless, was
what she wished. He would prepare
slower vengeance than that---a ven
geance that should distil its unequal
ed bitterness into her life though long
years.
But even while these thoughts were
rushing through his mind, strange
dizziness seized him. Edith, who sat
bolt upright upon the pallet, dumbly
gazing into the glazing eyes that had
looked as il he were ready to tear her
in pieces like a wild beast, saw 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.
Transfxed oy the horrible sight, she
never moved nor averted her gaze,
until, convulsed by violent spasm,
he fell out Of his chair, and lay with
ing upon the earth. Then she spranl
to her feet, and looked about for som'
water-for something, she knew no
what, to afford relief. But the poo
wretch's struggles lasted only brie
space. Even while Edith bent Owe
| him, trying to get at the flask 0
brandy that was in his pocket, in he
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
die and commenced careful inspec.
ton of the walls. Not a 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 a thin slab Of granite
and had been half.concealed by the
straw pallet upon which she had lain
With the aid of small iron bar that
she found hidden beneath the straw
she succeeded at last in prying it from
its place; and, JOY of joys! the cleal
night air rushed through the opening
Crawling quickly out, she found
herself beneath the bright, starl
heavens, and heard the roar Of TIN
river distinctly. She would folio"
that sound till she should reach it
banks, and then she would have NJ
difficulty in finding her way TOWARD
home-to some dwelling.house.
If it were not farther distant iron
her home than Richard had said, sh
would not have more than two mile
or 80 to 90 before she would reach a
open field, where was situated farm
house. If her strength would onl
last till she could get there, she woul
be safe.
Buoyed up by this thought, sh
CROPPED her way along through tn
wood. It was slow and tiresom
; work; for though the sky was cloud
+ less and the moon shone brightly, tn
shadows of the tall trees enveIoped he
in darkness. She stumbled at nsarl
, every step. At first ,he rose to he
feet quickly, and pressed on wit
: energy, bnt by and by her strengt
began to fail. At every fall she fol
less inclined TO renew her efforts. I'll
cold, wet ground became a most il
viting couch. The monrnful sighln
! Of the wind charmed her senses moi
t efeOtualIy than the softest lullaby
"A n [ L. l..