The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-13

laughing, and calling him nervous
fellow. I wrote my maiden name,
Olive Chase, for the last time, and i'm
mediatoly after I, accompanied by my
fathcr-in-law and husband, drove to
Limestone Towers, the home of the
SiiuriaD family.
There I made a hasty dinner alone n
one Of the magnificent rooms which had
been set apart for me, and slipping on
a gorgeous wrapper, I tried to forget
my woes in the pages of some of my
favorite books. Ere long my tired
head fell back on the sofa and l slept.
I awoke with a cry and a sense Of
terror. A number of wax lights shed
soft radiance over the handsome room,
the perfume of rare flowers filed the
air, and bending over the couch on
which I lay, his hot breath tanning my
cheek, was the man l hal married,
with an expression on his face and in
his evil, shifty eyes, which God grant I
may never see on any human face again.
For a moment l was paraIyzed with
feeling of sickening terror, then l rose
from the sofa and moved toward the
table.
''Whero are you going" he cried.
''Not so fast. Don't you know you are
mine now2"
In an instant he had me in his arms,
and was holding me so tightly clasped
in his embrace that painted for breath;
while he went on: Eyes, you're mine,
safe enough now. I've got away from
that old imp who's been standing be-
tween ua. He thinks Pm safe with
Black. He's deep one. Yes, you're
mine, and can tear your great, sad,
black eyes out, or pinch your white
he h, or bite you until the blood
comes.
"OAr" I gasped. 'Gf you are mortal
and not f1end, take me to LAZY Silur-
ian; take me to your mother"
My words called forth the widest
laughter.
Lady Siiurian2' he cried. you'll
never see her, she's mad, as mad as a
halter; curse her, that's where 1 get it
from. We're all mad but that old imp
of father of mine, and he'd be mad too
if he were not tho evil one. Your
mother wanted the money, and she's
got it; she's got $50, 900, and I've got
you"
The look which he cast on me frozo
nv ve,y blood, but by this time | began
to see all too clearly the nature of the
snare into which I had fallen.
moved forward but he seized my
dress, and placed one hand over my
mouth and m de his teeth meet in my
shoulder.
The pain was so intense that almost
faiated, my knees gave way and I fell
to the floor.
by Godw he cried, "doad al
readyr The exclamation gave me an
idea: what if w,re to fci5n death?
acted on it, and presently heard him
moving about the room, muttering to
himself When l knew him to be at
some distance I half opened my eyes,
and saw to my horror that he appeared
to be trying to open the window. Sud
denly he desisted. and I heard him
murmur, mo, this side won't do.
want her to fall into the moat and then
he won't find her. The bedroom win
dow's the one.'
He turned his steps toward the bed
room, which a1joiaed.
Isrrang to my feet, gained the door
which opened into the hall, as I sup
posed, and found myself in a Ions
dark corridor Down this ran until l
reached a narrow staircase leading up
ward. Agonizing fear lent wings to
my feet. gained the upper floor and
went swiftly down long corrii or
which ran the length of the opposite
wing of the house, hoping to find some
maid-servant's door ajer, for it was i'm
possible to leave the house in my present
dress, or, rather, undress.
Fortune favored me. At the far end
was a large closet, or, more properly,
small rcOm around the walls of which
were hung the servants Sunday drcs scs.
I propriated orc of these, black
shawl and plain bonnet, the veil o
which would serve to mask me we'll.
felt no fear as I gil led down the
three long flights of oakon steps which
led to tho back entrance hall, and in
ten minutes gained the high roa /, which
skirted the park walls. set out brave
ly for my three miles walk to M,
where I could take the earliest train for
London. Hero knew 1 could dispose
Of one of my p aiaest rings to pay my
fare to the city.
In Nj posted oae line to my
mother. ''Wnon can forgive you,"
wrote, "7ou shall, see me again"
My disarpearance was hu7hcd up, but
I agterward learned that Lord Siurisn,
my mother, and one other moved heaven
and earth to fad ne. Two handsome
rings, by which I might have boen
traced, I sold immediateIy il London,
a2d long before the money thus gained