Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-05
CHAPTER II.

Yet to keep an eye upon her was more
easily said than done.
At the bottom Of the terrace it was i'm
penetrably dark. Not star shone from the
clouded sky. The points of light along the
opposite shore-and here and there, upon
the bosom of the stream, the red or green
lantern of vessel-punctured the darkness
withoutrelieving it. Strain my eyesight as
I might, I could see nothing beyond the
length of my arm.
But the tapping of the waves upon the
strand, and about the piles Of the little T.
shaped dock that extends into the river at
this point, was distinctly audible, and
served to guide me. Toward the dock
cautiously advanced; and when I felt the
planking of it beneath my feet halted.
The whereabouts of the woman had no
means of determining. However" !"
thought I. eff her business Is self-destruc-
tion, she has not yet transacted it. for I
have heard no splash"
Ahl Suddenly fare of heat lightning on
the eastern horizon illuminated the land
and the water. It was very brief, but it
lasted long enough for me to take my bear
ings, and locate theobject of my quest. She
was standing, q mass of shadow, at
the very verge of the little dock, at q dis
tance OF not more than three yards in front
Of me. A moment later had silently
gained her side, stretched out my hand, and
laid firm hold upon her by the arm.
In great and very natural terror she
started back-fortunately not in the direc-
ton of the water; otherwise she had GER
tainly tumbled in, perhaps dragging me
with her. And though she uttered no
articulate cry, she caught her breath in
sharp spasmodic gasp; and could feel her
tremble under my hand.
sought to reassure her.
do not be alarmed" said, speaking as
gently as 1 could. 81 mean you no manner
Of evil. I saw you come down here from
the street above, and it struck me as hardly
safe place for person of your sex to visit
alone at such an hour"
She made no answer. A prolonged shud-
der swept over her, and she drew q deep,
long sigh.
"You have no reason to fear me-" I reit-
Grated. "I have only come to you for the
purpose of protecting you, Of serving you, If
/ can Look-ah, no; it's too dark for you
10 see me; but 1 am a white-haired old man,
the last person in the world you need be
afraid of. You would not tremble and draw
away if you could understand how far am
from wishing you anything but good"
She spoke: "Then release my arm"
Her tone was naughty and indignant She
enuciated each syllable with frigid precise
ness. From the cultivated quality of her
accent, and the singular sweetness of her
voice, saw that had to do with person
of education and refinement.
"No." l returned, II dare not release
your arm"
'Dare not?" she repeated, with an infec-
sion.
"No, dare Eot." I said again.
Possibly you will be good enough to ex-
plain what it is you fear
Frankly, I fear-I Nsuspect-that you
mean to do yourself a mischief. dare not
let 60 my hold upon you, lest you might
take advantage of your liberty to throw
yourself into the water"
'fWell, and if should?"
"Tbst would be very foolish, not to say
a very criminal, act.
"But what concern is that Of yours?
What right have you to modest me? My
life is my own, is it not, to dispose of as I
please2"
"That is a very vexed and difficult ques-
ton, involving the fundamentals of ethics
and theology. do not think we can profit
ably enter into discussion Of it just now
and here. But this much will promise
you," said I, ST shall not let go my hold
upon your arm until I am persuaded that
you have renounced your suicidal pur-
pose."
"You are insolent and intrusive, sir.
You presume upon the fact that / am q
woman and alone to take shameful and
unmanly advantage of me-"
81 am sorry that such is your opinion Of
me- do only what must"
"You tell me you are an old man. ! am
not old, and I am strong. / warn You now
to let me go. IF you exasperate me be-
yond endurance-if we should come to a
struggle"
"Ah, but we will not, {" hastily rejoined.
you will not employ your superior
strength against one who is moved by no
other feeling than good will toward you
and besides" I added, .though it is true
I am close upon GO years Of age, my muscles
have still some non in them. fancy I
shall be able to hold my own."
This, I must acknowledge, was sheer
braggadocio. l weigh but 126 pounds,
measure but feet lin my boots, and am
anything rather than an athlete.
sYou are meddler, sir Good or bad,
your motives do not interest me. Let me
go. Ny patience is exhausted. Release my
arm, sir. will brook no further inter
ference. Your conduct is an outrage. I
warn you once tor all to let me go.'' She