The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1888-05-18
The GREAT HESPER,
ny A BARRETT.

That sound warned me that the end
was near. Not content with taking the
diamond, the scoundrel intended to have
my hfe-to remove the possibility. If pos-
sibility existed, Of being identified as the
thief by me.
He SET about his work with devilisn
circuinspection. heard the metal rings
clinlk as he took up the fallen curtain
from the floor and folded it, and the bed
creaked as he got upon it. AS he APP
preached from behind, he steadied him
self by setting cne hand upon my Shout
my other Shoulder, andhi bony knuckles
touched nay chest as he arranged the
stuff over my breast. l knew what that
meart; it was to prevent the betraying
blood from squirting upon his arm.
In the pause that followed, / fancied
he must be turning up his sleeve, as a
butcher does who has "a beast to slaughter.
A thousand thoughts whirled through
my mind in that brief space; but a great
awe came upon me as l felt his hand
firmly grasp my left shoulder, for then I
realized that l was on the very brink of
eternity.
a feeling Of regret for the i'll use Ihad
made OF many days-for taeioss of Edith,
and the world which she had filled with
joy and hope; a deep and tender wish for
her happiness, and the welfare of the
companions who had toilcd with me to
win the Eesper, took the place of terror,
and it was with something like resigna-
ton that / awaited death.
AS he grasped my left shoulder, I felt
HIM lean over my right, and the next
nlonient he stabbed me.
yja had not nsa1 c,ffricnf fnrco Gov
the knife-point stuck in one of the ribs
under my left breast, and went no fuft!..,
er.
He pulled the knife oNt and tried again,
butthist time the blade scarcely punctured
my skin.
Ihen seeing that the thickness OF the
douhaed curtain was too great ali iinped-
tmcnt, he unfolded and ~fearranged it,
passing his hand ever my breast and
pressing his fingers here and there TO as
certain whether he had got it right for
his purpose. 1t was then that, my Ia
lure revolving against this barbarous re-
snement of cruelty, j prayed like Samson
for strength, and made enc more effort
to break my bonds.
The twisted sheets and irn, knots with
stood h g strain, but the effort saved my
life. The calculating Villain knew that 7
must exhaust nhy strength in q few min
utes, ma would not risk breaking his
knife, or getting sateared with my blood
as l writhed,
And presently my force gave out, and.
all hope leaving me, | ceased to struggle,
and was callous to his touch, whea hs
once more touched my shoulder.
; But in that moment of dread silence,
when his knife must have been raised to
strike the final blow, the door-handle
turned, and l felt his grasp rclax-nay,
his fingers tremble es they lay on my
shoulder.
There was an intervalof a minute, and
the doa7shandle turned again; then a
voice, that | recognized as Lola's, spoke
IN o low tone outside.
Are you there-you?" A moments
pause, and she added, "You amt sick,
are your
She had come to my door and heard
me writhing against the post.
What wonld the rascal do now? His
ham still trembled. Itgave me courage,
for it showed that he feared discovery,
and knew he would not risk his own
neck for the mere pleasure Of killing me.
| put out my strength again, making the
bed-post snap under my strain.
"Shall | sing out?" Lola asked, O little
louder and with an accent of alarm.
The hand slipped from my shoulder
II down my arm as the villain stepped
from the bed. His position was getting
more perileus. If Lola 'sung out" there
would BIZ little chance of his making off
with the diamond.
] had loosened the towel that bound
my head and gagged me. 1 wriggled
about %furiously, worked the fold out of
my mouth, and got my chin above it,
breathing freely for the first time since
had been tied up. At the same moment
l heard the key in the door, and i knew
that the murderer intended to let Lola in
and silence her.
Take care, take care!' I shouted, as
loudly as the towel that still covered my
face would permit.
Another wriggle, and / felt that the
upper part of my face was uncovered.
Moreover, J. distinguished a long gray
patch before ne. The curtain of the
oriel had been drawn back; the light had
sensibiy increased during the time occu,
pied by the events | have narrated.
l almost fancied l saw the silhouette of
a mans figure against the grayness. 1t
moved, and ! was sure that my eyes
We're not deceived; it disappeared, and
almost immediately afterward l heard &
aii okoh NC ttlitSO DSio"s Lag lldl
had dropped down n distance Of fifteen
feet from the Window drop of not
more thar six feet for an ordinary MAJ
hanging from the ledge.
The feeling of relief, combined with
exhaustion caused by my frantic efforts,
was too much for me. l was giddy and
sick, my eyes closed, the sweat stoodcold
upon my face, every muscle gave way
Il Guivered, only the bonds upon my
body kept me from falling.
''G'ain't hurt. are you, dear?" were the
first words 1 heard. 1t was Lola's voice,
very gentle and tremulous.
NO; you haze saved me-" said [.
She gave a little moa of delight, and
her hands, which had been busily tug
ging at the knots, stopped in their work
She threw her arms about my neck,
and, pressing her face against my breast,
sobbed.