The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1888-05-12
lea.eJ through the open window, and
would bave disappeared. but he sprang /,

would bave disappeared, but he sprang
forward and caught 1t In his arms. y
There was q weak sort Of struggle,
and then It lay limp in his arms. 1t
seemed snore spirit than mortal--so
meagre and frail.
He lighted match, carefully shad-
Ing 1t, and saw. during the momentary
lash, the thin, white face, jetty brows
and streaming black hair Of u young
girl glimmering ghost-like IN the flick
erlng light.
He laid her fiat on the ground, and
dlvesting himself Of his coat, threw it
over her, concealing her cleaning
white garments. Just as the buriy form
Of the captain filled the window.
"Hang itl'' he said, in a frightened
whisper; "did you see the ghostp'
mo, I saw no ghost.''
swell, did, and so did Bill an the
ould divil himself there. too, ready to
holler for the cops. Had to give him q
sore throat to get az the stone closet.
and found the chlst guarded by a
great, starin' ghost. Flends ana
furIesIn
The white figure had risen suddenly,
as though come out Of the ground. the
l)ng spectral-like arms extended.
With o cry of terror, the captain dis.
appeared. Close at his heels followed
Bill, aud John Newcomb was left
aloIe with his mysterious charge.
"Oh, sir, pity me! save mel' she
cried
And tottering forward she again fell
fainling In his arms,
He heard a strange gurgling sound
issuing from the oellar-llke human
tones choked and cut of in their utter
ance.
John was as brave as a lion. He
knew the danger of entering the house
at this moment, but hesitated not an
instant. taH
Still holding the light figure in his
arms. he sprang through the cellar
window. The lantern stood on the,
| floor.
The window through which he had
entered was the only outside opening,
and closing It's solid wooden shutters
behind him, he was alone with a mid
night horror.
| An old, white-haired man lay upon
1 sGss.sssS;a a gaping wound in his throat.
from Witch life blood was swiftly flow
ing. &,
John gently deposited his uncnn.
scious burden on the floor. and just as
he did SO the old mans struggling
breath ceased forever.
Tee helpless girl now claimed all his
attention, and as he looked down at
the white face 1t almost seemed that
death had done It's work there also.
Taking a flask OF brandy from his
| pocket, he forced q fewdrops, of it be-
tween the pale lips, chafed the little
cold hands, and soon the jetty fringes
disentangled themselves, and pair Of
soft, black eyes looked inquiringIy, but
trnstingly, into his.
"Where am 1? What has happened?
Who are you2" she asked, attempting
to rise.
She seemed scarcely elgteen, with a
welred sort Of beauty and sweet
voice, that went straight to Johns
heart.
AS gently as possible, he told her
what had occurred.
II am glad he is dead. He was
called my guardian, but he starved
and abused me, kept me a prisoner in
the cellar, and my money locked In an
iron box--ten thousand dollars. There
IL is" pointing to the closet. "You
may have it all, IL you will take me
away from here" and she struggled to
her feet. "URhl 1 don't want to look
at him." she said, averting her face.
Certainly not, my dear childl" said
John, stepping forward, and covering
the hideous face with his handkerchief,
Turning again toward her, q sudden
impulse seized him.
II will take you away from herea.-.
Cake good care Of you and your money
--if you will marry me-" he said.
She looked at him critically for a.
moment from under her long, black
lashes, ana then said, simply:
Yes, will"
The tragedy made only one moro
turn In the always shifting Kaleidoscope
Of New York crime. John New.
combs real connection with 1t was
never suspected; and, feeling innocent
Of the MANS blood, he made no spec ial
effort to duplicate HIMSELF. The mur.
derers could not be Identified, but the
''pirates retreat" was immediately
broken up,
John took. his girl-wife and her ten
thousand dollars, Which he found safe