The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-10-18

fatat and more sudden death than bull
let or knife. Yet there was nothing OF
hesitation after the first shuddering
thought. Wipin9 away the bloody ooze
from the almost invisible punctured
wounds he applied his lips to them one
after another and sucked out the poison.
freeing his mouth from time to time, and
not desistng until assured the work was
thoroughly done--that he could do no
more Then, and without giving heed
to the family whispered thinks, he put
his arm around the g.rl and hurried her
forward.
But not long could she direct the way
to travel, not long could her limbs sus-
tain her. Another terror came to break
down the little remaining nerve and
strength. and she faltered. reeled and
fell She had gone through as much of
mental aud physical su ering as nature
would endure had gone as far as she
could.
With the rain descending rs If the
windows Of heaven had been flung wide
open and second flood came to earth.
with the thunder rolling and crashing
above their heads and shaking the solid
rocks beneath their feet, with the light.
ning flashing and binding, she lay
scarcely able to move hand or foot for
self preservation. Put no fear Of rattle
SNAKES then. Before the terrible majesty
of the elemental war even they had fled
terrified to the lowest depths of their
noisome dens and covered in such fear
as instinct giyes-instinct that in many
cases is twin brother of reason.
Though Departing Of saving the feet
ing life, yet driven nearly frantic by be-
ing alone with the girl in the now dense
darkness and now binding glare, Myratt
lifted her again in his strong arms aud
dushed forward. Guided by the ghts
Of the village he PROCEEDED whispering
hope he did not feel. receiving moaning
whispers for time and then no rccog.
milton.
The girl wa beyond speechl lie saw
by the lame of lightning that the bit
ten hand and arm had swollen to an inn
mcnse size, that upon the delicate flesh
were reproduced the spO; of the serpent,
felt that tie beating of the heart was
growing fainter and fainter, that the hot
breath was becoming less and less, knew
that in little time he would he car g.
ing a corpse, beautiful but an hour be-
fore, then loahsomc, discolored and
hidcous beyond the conception of those
who have never seen such death.
Straining every nerve. painting from
speed and worn with his burden. Myratt
still kept on, reached the path that led
down to the village. aul was about to
descend when lie was met by party
anNiously searching for the lost girl.
"Biticn by u rattic,nakc! Dying or
dead; Stained and spotted with the
horrible leprosy Of thc er.cnt poison /!
oh, my God it is terrible groaucd the
poor father as the inscnsiblc form was
placed within his arms and the fearful
tale told.
But the grief was as nothing to the
wild, agonilcd sobblng and shrcking Of
the loving mother when she saw her dar-
ling brought in and laid upon "A bed as
hidcous aud repulsive rs she had last
seen her bright and beautiful.
Physicians came but their experience
and wisdom availcd little. The poison
had spread rapidly, been strongly incor-
porated with the circulation. the action
Of the heart paralyzed until it had almost
ceased to beat. Ammonia, iodine, every
thing TO he thought OF us antidote,
hydratic and palliative medicine were
tried without giving relief The hideous
spots grew larger and more distinct !;
srnuous, twisting. creeping motions took
the place of nat raj ones and hand aud
limb became more swollen. The suffer
ing' of the stricken girl became so terri
bic as to cause several to be carried
iainting from the room, others to turn
ghastiI pale. grow sick and eagerly rush
into the outer air.
"Cau nothing be done! oh, my poor,
dca" child sobbcd the heart. broken
mother, still clinging to the writhing
form still clnging to the hope long given
up by all others.
Nothing came answered back from
the firmly compressed lips Of the physi-
Cian-in.chicf. "We have exhausted all
our knowledge, all out skill, but
he motioned to his associates, drew
them aside and a whispered consultation
was held 'Chloroform" was the only
word that reached the strained ears of
aul Myratt, bat it was enough He
knew but too well what it poItendcd
that they were discussing the propriety
of easing her terrible Suilcrngs and free.
ing her pure soil from the rotting clay
by long, deep an ySthctic slumbcr, by
one that would never be broken in this
world.
1t was so decided, and while one OF
their number wa, absent procuring the
powerful chemical combination they
again gathered around their patient and
watched the spasms of pain, the horrible
writings and contortiuns, with profes
sioual interest, though not with fearless
eyes Other than human would they
have been could they have done so.
In the midst of the stiffness that was
worse than that OF death, silence tc
which sound would come as the falling
OF clods upon the colin lid, stranger
entered. So wild with excitement wa
the town that no one could escape hear
ing Of the accident. In the great sorrow
his presence was unnoticed. For
single instant he remained, then wen
out into the now clear and tranquil nigh
and mounting a horse rode away at
dangerous speed. His absence was brie
but even as he again entered the physi
clans were holding the sometimes easing
the now-desIined to be fatal anestheti
!, for the stricken girl to breathe.
fastening to the side Of the bed III
or oltnnst rttIoIt. ,uebnl ho mn,