The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1888-10-05

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giant Of the forest and tried TO re-
sist the influence which urged her
10 look for something, she knew
not what, but a will stronger than
her own compelled obedience, and
bending over the log she SAW a
human body lying supine, with
white, set face and wide staring
eyes from which sight had forever
fled. Under The rigid chin "A dark
red cash extended from ear to ear,
whence the rich purple life fluid
had welled oul and trlckled on till
ii gathered into a little pool. 1t
was The face and form of Charlie
Collier, Mary'S absent brother. The
moment that the paralysis of fear
relaxed. the Terrified woman utter
ed scream that went echo!ng
through the midnight silence, and
with the effort she awoke TO find
herself sitting up in bed, shivering
with Tread and The great dIOps of
crespirallon raining down her face.
Only those who have eXperienc-
ed like sensation can realize The
feeling Of relief that came TO Mrs.
Euslis on finding that this horror
wGS only the baselesS fabric OF Il
nightmare. Was it a dream!
Alter time she slept again, but
rest she could not, for now black,
scowling face rose up and drew
near her. lis blood-shot eyes were
fixed on hers with an expression
Of diabOlical ferOcity mingled with
fear, The thick lips were apart and
The rows of white teeth held a
knife, from the end Of which blood
dripped. 1t was a face she had
never seen before, but it was pho-
tographed upon her memory in in
delible lines. Twice she reused
herself from a contact with this de-
moniac vision and at last forgot
her terror in The deep sleep Of ex-
hausliOn. Next morning at 10
o'clock messenger came from
Mrs. Collier with request that
Miss Mary should return home, as
her mother expected company and
desired her assistance in entertain
ing them.
But Mary went home last night.
She left here Jrst before sun
down.
"She neber cum home yet, mum. |
Misses lowed dat Miss Mary prom
is to cum las night, but she
thought you KEEP 'er Till dis morn
in, cause you bin lonesome like"
"My God!' exclaimed Mrs. EuS-
lis, sinking INTO a chair, II knew
was going TO happen.
What has become of the dear
,hildN"
II spec she done ride 'roun' TO
;ome OBJ de uder neighbors ober
.e branch. Don't you 'larm your
elt. Miss Eustis, Ill fine Miss Ma
"
The faithful servant did his best,
'ut no trace could he find OF his
oung mistress, and soon every
nan in The country for miles
round took horses and went in
earch of he missing girl. In vain
hey trampled through forest and
yer field, no single clue gave j
lem ray OF hope. ,
Mrs. Euslis sat all day In a kind (
dull stupOr, The dream OF last {
light rising ever before her minds q
We with dreary persistence. Al v
st, towards evening, she had her r
If driven over 10 Mrs. Golfers. a
nd The sight of the heart -rending s
lief of the mother and the puz- d
ed, anxious faces OF a party OF n
EN- who had just returned from o
eir fruilless search nerved the 4
d lady 10 speak out her long pent II
oughls.
"If you Will get torches and
me with me, gentlemen, | be- S
I'VE 1 can help YOU"
There was ala instant acceptance "
The suggestion, and Mrs. Eusts, I
companied bytwelve men, drove d
the spot where she had left the O
ad for The fOot-paih in her dream. t,
their horses they follow e.
her lead through the thick Y
bod 10 the fallen log. BY This v
ne night had again come on, but il
e forest was Illuminated by the
j glare of a dozen pine torches. Q
"L0ok behind the log" said the il
d lady. They looked and saw a h
sht not one of them ever forgot d
/ MS dying day. There, stretch s
al full length upon her back, T.
II pretty hands and feet tied, lay o
IT, sweet Mary Collier. Her b
ealih of soft brown hair fell part 4
over the log and partly over one Y
Oulder. Death had smoOthed v
e lines of terror from her lovely a
Ouih and blue-veined forehead, 2
It the large violet eyes were wide h
zen with a look in them that no V
N can describe. Around her a
apels white throat was bound a n
now soaked with v
Ood. They removed il and a gap a
2 cut extended from one delicate b
= 10 the other WAS visible. 4
Tenderly they lifted her and
rried her TO her home, while Y
.rce. though silent, curses against t.
e murderer were mutiered in j.
e hearts Of the men. who had all
lown The happy.hearled girl