Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-04-02

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"QUite right, Scruh," he said "N.rsr
aeglect your religious obserTanceS."
afraid You can't pray yourself out of this
situation; but there's no harm in trying"
The sound of his voice gave another and
fresh turn to her thoughts. At that mo-
ment her prayer was answered and every
thing grew clear. The clouds which trou-
bed her rolled away, or it may be, closed
round her to break no more.
She Shiverei, ami still kneeling, turned
her face 70 the speaker. Her LOOK for a mo-
ment startled him in spite of the contempt
he felt for her religious vaSarieS. And we'll
it might Startle him.
Now she knew all. She knew why she
had lived She knew to what she was pre-
destined Cycles ago this moment had been
decreed. 1t was she whom God had ap-
pointed TO remove this man from the path
which led enc of elect to happiness. The
belief that ages and ages before she was
born, her place, not only in this world, but
also in the next, had been irrevocably fixed,
the terrible conviction that she was one of
the many doomed by Gods will to eternal
torture, fate which not the prayers of a
lifetime, or the conduct of saint, could
avert or in the slightest degree mitigate;
this fearful belief closed round her like the
walls OF n prison from which there is no
escape from which death itself there is no
release. How in such q state of mind could
she turn with feelings of love and alteration
to tie Supreme Being Who had doomed her
to such unutterahle woe? No. she could fear
Him, tremble before Him, abase herself at
His feet, pray her wild hopeless prayers but
such love as she had 10 give was fam to be-
stow itself upon an earthly object, and for
the want Of a better that object was
Beatrice.
Even as Jael, even as Judith, had their mis-
sion so had she, Sarah Miller, mission
equally terrible, that of Staying a man whom
God had doomed. With her brain flooded, per-
meated by this one fearful thought, the
woman rose from her knees and resumed
her scat.
Everything, she fanciei, with her mind
bewildered in reality, vet to herself SEEM
ingly clear, pointed to the carrying out OF
this decree of destiny. The solitude. the
night journey, even the mans half helpless
condition were but details of settled
scheme. The opportunity was here, only
the way and the means were wanting.
These in good time would be vouChsafed to
her. She would be shown how she, a weak
woman, was to take the life of strong
man.
Little did Maurice Hervey, as from the
effects of fatigue, cigars and brandy he sat
half doing i'll the corner of the compart-
ment, dream what thoughts were passing
through the mind Of the woman near him
To him she was nothing more than an adj
dle-headed sort Of creature, who once upon
time had done great deal towards bring
ing him to ruin; an act for which he rightly
believed he navino her in fn1l
How was she to do itl Time was passing
and yet the path was not yet pointed out
See, the mans eyes were closed! Had tho
moment comet If she had a knife she might
eve,i now drive it into his heart! But she
had no knife; had nothing which would
serve her need, or rather Gods need. Sud-
denly she remembered, as one W,members a
dream, that hours AMI hours ago she had
seen fellow passenger opening a bag, and
had noticed on the top of that bag a pistol
Had she teen allowed to catch sight of the
weapon for the purpose which she was
deputed to carry outl If so, where was that
pistol, and how could she get it into her
hands, She rose, and without any settled
object, passed Hervey and stepped out into
the gangway.
Her movement awoks him. He put his
head through the door and watched her as
length of the long carriage, but found
nothing to guide her to her end. Every
door was Theoretically sealed. 1t seemed as
if she and her companion were the only per-
sons awake. The only sound heard was the
ceaseless rush of the train as it tore its way
on and on through the night.
The woman returned and resumed her
seat. The means had not yet been given
her. phantom of common sense also
fitted through her mind. If she killed this
man in such manner it meant arrest and
trial of herself 1t meant shame and ex-
posture to her loved mistress No, she must
wait yet a while God had not vet spoken
the last word; not yet shown the exact way
in which His work was to be done Yet her
belief never swerved, never wavered:
Or not until she knew that the end of the
long, dreary journey was close at hand; not
until kind of instinct told her that in
few short minutes Munich would be reached.
Hervey, whom necessities had deprived of
the means of telling the time was still
sleeping his wakeful and suspicious dogs
sleep. Suddenly the long, shrill whistle
sounded. The man started up, wide awake,
and for the first time for hours a doub5 az
to her true reading of Gods purpose flashed
through Sarah Miller's brain. The time
was 50 short. There was so much-so much
to be done. The way was still in darkness.
Would the last few moment light it upi
She clenched her hands convulsively, dig
ging the nails of one into the flesh Of the
other. She glanced once more at Hereey's
face which, from his fatigue looked pale and
wan. She rose, and mechanically. like one
in a dream, stepped out Of the compartment
into the dimly hghte3 gangway. Hervey
followed her
Without knowing why or wherefore, she
walked the whole length of the carriage. In
q dazed way she opened the door at the end
and stepped out into the open air. Hervey
followed her and the door closed behind
them and the man and the woman stood
alone on the iron platform which lies b.
tween onI carria ge and its fcrerunDer.
The train had not yet siackened speed
Its wild rush still whipped The naturally
calm air into a fierce gale. The woman's
dark hair, which had become untwisled,
streaInei behind her in elf locks A tail
black figure with white, a death-white
face and turning eyes, staring ixe3ly at the
destination to which the train was hu-rying
Der, as fxedly Is Eer mind was turned TO
tue work which she yet believed she was
doomed 10 execute
Thenight was cloudy and rnooalsss. Some
wav ahead, little to the right, the lights
Of the great city lit up the dark SKY. Il was
IN these lights that Sarah MilIer's eyes were
fzed, her lips the while ElItte-ing inaud.ble
words
For few moments Heryey ssood in
alaace By her side. Then he spoke. ITS
10 good, Sarah, you can't give me the slip.
III follow you everywhere. Re a sensible
woman for opce, ami don't give me more
bother"
she SPOKE, hut not in answer 90 Eis worjs-
That glarei that red glareI7 she cried. in
4 thrilling voice. "Loox ct III Look at it
Welt Do you know what it means to you
and TO mer
Before he could reply she answered her
own question 1T IS TIE red glare Of he'll"
he cried in still wiider accents. The glare Of
the fire which burns for you and for me.
The shrek! Hear the shrek Of the damnedr'
Once more the whistle sent its piercing
scream Of warning far On the night air: and
IN another moment the strong brakes would
nave fallen on the great wheels. Hervey,
really startled b. his companions wild bear
ing. turned 10 her savagely.
Here, no nonsenseT be said roughly.
These were the last words he spoke. Sud-
1enly, and without the slightest warning.
the woman threw herself upon him Her
srIns clasped him with the strength Of frenzy.
Her weight threw kim eff lis balance He
staggered backwards Ee made enc Wild
grab with his uninjured arm at the iron rail,
-,lJ-Sa3 and litefv e,1-1li h7ya he'd