The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-06-08

watching for our approach. The car was
made 90 20 at the top Of It's speed. In
spite Of that. heard one man ask. rs we
shot by landing:
Is that the man you are after and
the reply made my hair rise: Yes, re got
ont of the mad ward, and The rest OF
the sentence was lost TO me. So here
was, Gagged up with maniac, flying up
and down between the first and tenth
stories of the hotel at the maddest Of all
mad rates.
There were more men at the open door
Of the third landing when we passed II,
but we were going 80 fast, and the big
figurc Of my crazy companion stood so
close and 50 threateningly at the entrance,
that it would have been worse than fool
ish 10 have attempted to pass him. |
could hear the servants who had congre-
gated in large numbers on their floor say:
All poor lady How white she looks
should die of fright if were In her
place To think we can't nobody help
her.
The thought occurred TO me, there is
somebody that can--God can help me-
And it was such comfort 10 remember
that J was IN the habit of going to him at
Jtner times besides when in Distress
0rayed feryently, and my fears grew less
)verpOwering.
The shaft that the elevator occupied
vas not inclSscd with brick. rs Is gener
llly the case instead. there was a heavy,
,pen wire work around it, which enabled
nc to see and hear great deal. could
,oe the men with their heads together
suggesting means OF stopping the flying
machine as it now had become. They
ricd slipping long iron rods through from
,ide to side Of the shaft. but they snapped
Ike tow Every attempt to enter or stop
he car made my companion more and more
urious At length. while coming down
he tenth time. lie caught sight Of some
me probably bis keeper. whom havc al
eady mentioned. and his excitement was
intense He did not seem 10 think of me.
Ic walked back and forth IN his rage,
talking fcrcely, and gesticulating with
.reaf violence ! sat perfectly still, feel
az svery moment that he might want to
cent his anger on me if ! drew attention
my existence
Something fell on my shoulder, and
ast.ng my eyes round. Jaw some one
had been skillful enough TO thrust ia a
bit Of folded paper | cautiously bided
ms .imc and when my companions back
vas turned read When you reach the
owcst iloor turn on the brake. You will
md il on the elevator floor next the cable.
It's cour only salvation. crumpled the
,aper in my hand just in time for the
maniac wheeled round as did.
The nest time lis back was turned /
oOked for the brake There it was. down
~ the operating cable. but it seemed that
might lust rs well have been in the
Desert Of Sahara 50 far ~ the possibility
II my reaching it was concerned. We
vent up and down three times before my
mind was made up 10 to how should
work. that brake There was nothing to
DC done III the line Of reasoning or arguing
~ irving to divert his attentiOn-he was
IA a too highly excited state. lie was too
powerful Tor me to march up boldly and
urn il before his eyes must resort to
,trategy.
kept saying What if you fail?-what
You tail?" But that did not increase my
ourage And at last, nerving myself to
be highest pitch OF fortitude just before
eachin. the bottom rose from my place,
ghich was exactly opposite the precious
rake, and. throwing up my hands ana
altering Il loud cry. a if in distress fell
heavily 10 the floor Never did fall have
o be 50 well calculated | was Just tall
nOugh 10 reach the brake with my out
,,rctched hand; but ii, in my excitement,
went either to the one side OF the other
III would be lost But God was pitiful.
nd fell Just so that my outstretchcd
niger turned the bit Of iron that was con
iectCd with the machinery IN such maj
1er as Ia make any movement impossible.
My Gy and fail startled the maniac
md if had remained perfectly still until
he door was pried open all would have
1cen well As II was. | remained on the
loJr what seemed 10 Inc an eternity, and,
ceiling sure NV rescuers would be within
n an instant, got up. But this was a
very false move, for the evaporation OF
not being able to work the car had reused
he mailman 10 such q state Of frenzy that
Ie turned on me, and, fairly gnashing ms
teeth, he seized NE by the shoulder and
cried What have you done, you misera-
bic woman Shooting Is too good for you
but it's the only punishment l can in
dict" 81 saving, hc drew his srevolver
md took aim at my throat
| remember | was very cool, even at
that most trying time | moved the re
volver saying Well, don't muss my
fresh crepe lisse rufile Jhe cold steel
pressed my right temple. and that sensa-
ton. with the crash OF the opening eleva-
TOR door, was the last conscious moment |
had for three weeks.
was carried home with stony gaze on
my face that frightened my servants al
most out Of their wits Il doctor was
summoned. and owing to "a sound consti-
tuition pulled through brain fever that
would have carried off less robust wo-
man
/ shall never forget the first time |
took hand glass to gaze at the altera-
tons my illness had brought in my coun-
tenance The sight of the white lock Of
hair made me feel again the cold steel
against my temple, and the mailman 5
fierce breath against my cheek. | think |
went over the entire scene before my hus-
band could walk across the room and take
the glass out Of my hand That little ex-
element delayed my recovery for months.
Do you wonder it was year after was
we'll before could speak with composure
Of my mad ride Paul Capel in Demo
100. AT,p@b1.-