Wichita eagle., 1888-06-17


close and so threateningly at the entrance,
that it would have been worse than fool
ish to have attempted to pass him /
could hear the servants who had congre-
gated in large numbers on their floor say:
"Ah, poor ladyl How white she looks!
should die of fright if | were in her
placei To think we can't nobody help
her!"
The thought occurred to me, there is
somebody that can-God can help mel
And it was such g comfort to remember
that | was in the habit of going to him at
other times, besides when IN distressl
prayed fervently, and my fears grew less
overpowering.
The shaft that the elevator occupied
was not inclosed with brick, as is gener-
ally the case; instead, there was a heavy,
open wire work around it, which enabled
me to see and hear a great deal. could
see the men with their heads together
suggesting means of stopping the flying
machine, as it now had become. They
tried slipping long iron rods through from
side to side Of the shaft, but they snapped
like tow. Every attempt to enter OR stop
furious. At length, while coming down
one, probably his keeper, whom have al
ready mentioned, and his excitement was
intense. He did not seem to think OF me.
He walked back and forth in his rage,
talking fercely, and gesticulating with
great violence. sat perfectly still, feel
ing every moment that he might want to
vent his anger on me if l drew attention
to my existence.
oil
casting my eyes round, saw some one
had been skillful enough to thrust in a
bit Of folded paper. | cautiously bided
my time, and when my companions back
was turned read: when you reach the
lowest floor turn on the brake. You will
find it on the elevator floor next the cable.
It's your only salvation" | crumpled the
paper in my hand Just in time, for the
maniac wheeled round as | did.
The next time his back was turned
by the operating cable, but it seemed that
Desert of Sahara, SO far as the possibility
of my reaching it was concerned We
went up and down three times before nv
mind was made up as to how should
work that brake. There YVES nothing to
DC SioGS III GtlS lIliC "a ISlSOLllS VI
Or trying to divert his attention-he was
In q too highly excited state. He was too
powerful for me to march up boldly and
strategy.
I kept saying, ''IVhat if you fail?-what
If you fail?' But that did not increase my
courage. And at last, nerving myself to
the highest pitch of fortitude, just before
reaching the bottom rose from my place,
which was exactly opposite the precious
brake, and, throwing up my hands and
uttering loud cry, as if in distress. fell
heavily to the floor. Never did fall have
to be so well calculated Twas just tall
enough to reach the brake with my out
stretched hand; but If, in my excitement.
l went either to the one side or the other
all would be lost. But God was pitiful,
and | fell just so that my outstretched
finger turned the bit of iron that was con-
nected with the machinery in such a man.
ner as to make any movement impossible.
My cry and fall startled the maniac,
and if had remained perfectly still until
the door was pried open all would have
been well. As it was, / remained on the
floor what seemed to me Gil eternity, and,
feeling sure my rescuers would be within
in an instant, got up. But this was
very false move, for the evaporation of
not being able to work the car had reused
the mailman to such a state of frenzy that
he turned on me, and, fairly crashing his
teeth, he seized me 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 | can in
fict." So saying, he drew his Erevolver
and took aim at my throat.
1 remember was very cool. even at
that most trying time. 1 moved the re-
volver, saying, "Wen, don't muss NY
fresh crepe isse ruffle." The cold steel
pressed my right temple, and that sensa-.
ton, with the crash of the opening eleva-
tor door, was the last conscious moment I
had for three weeks.
was carried home with stony gaze on
my face that frightened my servants al
most out of their wits A doctor was
summoned, and owing to sound consti-
tuition pulled through brain fever that
would have carried of q less robust wo-
man.
I shall never forget tho first time 7
took hand glass to gaze ct 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 madman's
fierce breath against my cheek 1 think 1
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
well before could speak with composure
of my mad ride Paul Capeu in Demo
rests Monthly.