Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-26
Gales aud 5Sketthes.
IN SILENT DREAD.

with the doors OF nOneySuckle, fuses,
heliotrope; and silent. save for the sing
ing of locusts in the grass.
Suddenly the silence was broken BY
wild and hurrying footsteps along the
, principal street; flying figure, closely
pursued by another figure, vanished in to
the deep shadow caused by ahalf-dozen
large, leafy trees about midway the dis
lance of the street, and from out the dark
ness came terrified and piercing cry:
"Help! Murder! Oh, help help
Murderr'
A few seconds of breathless silence and
then the silence was broken again by the
sound of hurrying footsteps. growing
fainter and fainter in the distance. while
several persons who had been aroused by
the cry for help hastily drew on clothing
and shoes and rushed toward the spot
whence the cries had proceeded.
| 1t was | O'Clock in the morning, and
naturally the inhabitants of the street
were all in bed. and most of them asleep.
Of those who had been awakened, many
stopped after the first alarm, rushed into
the street, questioning each other, and
awaiting for some repetition of the cries /;
but the street was silent again, even more
silent than it had seemed before the out
cry. OF all who had responded, and who
had gone so far as to rush in almost fran
tic haste at first. only two actually pro-
ceeded far enough to learn the cause OF
the alarm.
Il think the cries came from this direc-
| ton" called out VIM. Forney, running in
the direction indicated by his outstretched
arm.
81 think so too" answered Chas. Lee
son, following him.
| The first speaker ran so fast and bead
long that he nearly stumbled over pros
trate body, and while he recovered him.
self his companion stopped and raised the
insensible figure.
"Why. it's woman ~ he exclaimed :;
"a girl, should say, she is so slight and
slender"
"Ot course. knew it was a woman s
voice. Can you carry her Charley9 Let
ME help you. Bring her to our house.
Mother is the most kind and thoughtful,
dear, good mother that was ever known"
| he added. lending his assistance.
..She is either dead or in faint" said
| Lesson.
And then the two Young men lapsed in
to silence, and did not speak again till
they had entered Mrs. Forney's parlor,
where they laid their insensible burden on
the lounge.
"Now, Charley, do you light the gas.
and will 90 and bring mother here, and
we'll see what can be done"
And he LETT the room as he spoke, while
Charley Lesson proceeded to obey his Or
ders.
After cropping about the mantelpiece, he
soon found, by aid of the moonlight which
streamed in, the match safe, and having
lighted two gas jets, he gave his attention
toward the still insensible girl.
Her hat had fallen off, and her rich dark
hair. loosened and disheveled, flowed back
from her death pale face over the sofa
pillow Her features were delicate and
regular, her mouth small, and though dis
torted from recent fear, wonderfully at
tractive, and her general appearance be-
tokened refinement and grace.
Quite pretty and interesting" thought
Charley. Looks very pale, but not
dead. Wonder what kind of eyes she has
If they are fine the chances are she's quite
a beauty at her best"
Young Forney now entered accompa-
MED by his mother, and the kind lady at
once proceeded toward the sofa.
The young lady is only in a swoon,'
she said. at once taking the girls hand,
land think far more frightened than
hurt. But we shall soon know, for she
is already recovering. can feel the faint
fluttering of the pulse, and the color is re-
turning to her face. See, William, her
ewes unclose. What sweet looking
creature wonder who she is"
Heavens it is
| The exclamation burst from William
Forney, who. at his mothers words, had
come over to the sofa, and now saw the
stranger for the first time really, for, not
withstanding the moonlight, he had not
caught even glimpse of her face while
he helped Charley Lesson to carry her
| Even asthe words which surprise had
forced from him burst from his lips, he
suppressed them, and from the expression
of his mothers face he could not be sure
whether she had noticed his exclamation
or not Indeed, her attention was pres
emily absorbed by the consciousness of
her patient-particularly as the girl, on
opening her eyes, at once raised herself
and began with the widest excitement to
implore the protection of those about her.
Don't let him kill me, he will do it-he
swore he would kill me, and he will keep
his word, tor he is terriple-terrible !" she
said wildly; and then, as her gaze wan
dered from face to face she started to her
feet on recognizing Young Forney.
"Ah, Wilhelm wilhelm! is it then
you who have saved me P" and overcome
with emotion. and perhaps shame at hav-
ing BETRAYED herself, she covered her
crimsoning face with her hands and burst
into tears.
Come, come, my child, you are safe
here. No one will hurt you in my house,"
said Mrs. Fornev, wondering greatly, but
intent on placing the young girl at her
ease. And now pray tell us,-are YOU
hurtp"
Il think not" replied the girl; may
good madame, am sure not" steadily
raising her arm: "but look" and she
shook back the loose sleeve, You see
had a narrow escape;" and in fact the
sleeve was pierced and torn by some sharp
instrument.
Il was so frightened, 1.-THE girl went on,
when he struck at me with the knife,
that thought / was killed. Oh, dear
what trouble must be giving to you all. :"
| Mrs. Forney disclaimed all idea of
trouble, and led the young girl up stairs
to her own room.
when we are all alone she will doubt
less explain all this mystery" thought the