Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-09-08

with no response to my efforts, save rat tie from time to time, of which the mean ing gradually forced itself into my mind, the truth which sent me staggering as under 8 blow, nay felled me to the very earth.
 l. in my wanton boast, had vowed not all the world should stay my passage. Now saw how idle had been my words Six inches of iron barred my way and was a prisoner. I was locked in that room where I had gone for safety-a prisoner in a dungeon of my own choos~ ing.
 Locked in On the outside of the door when l had entered now called to mind having seen two big bolts, put there, no doubt, to keep within the ghostly visitants the household feared. Then. though while I had listened no sound of footsteps down the passage had reached my earA yet all the same, some fearful soul had stolen and forced into their sheaths the iron fingers, and all my strength, great as I had boasted it, was utterly powerless to loosen that hold. A prisoner Think what that thought was to me. prisoner And Madoline-Likea mad man bounded once more to the door shook-pulled and pushed it with might and main. It should give way to me. swore 1t. I would make it yield. With my whole force flung myself against it, needless of how injured and bruised my body, until my strength gave way. l fell Rasping and struggling to the floor.
 Here for some moments I fought with my weakness-then again and again re- newed my attacks upon the door, but all to no purpose. Then forgetting all else but that in some way, cared not how, 1 must get help, I must leave that room. I called with all my might for "help''- called-shouted, cried, screamed, raved, until once more 1 realized that I was doubly prisoner. This wing of the house was, as l knew, but little used. No one slept in 1t, and so if called till the day of judgment, no one would hear me. or if they did, the silly superstition attached to the apartment where was would pre- vent any rational construction to be put on my efforts to attract attention.
 Words cannot describe the horror of my situation. I flung myself upon the ground, tearing my hair, wringing my hands, and cursiug and swearing-raving. toqming almos: at the moUth-a prey to the most fearful despair that ever drove a mortal to the very verge of Insanity.
 Insanity It was that thought which danced before my mind: unless some help came my senses would leave me. l then must be calm-if calm I could try and devise some plan of escape-tEere must be some somewhere, and as 1 had 1OunO IL TOT MdNOlln0 SD WOuUl uIlC lG for myself. Surely the Heavens, which had befriendeG us in our sore extremity, would not forsake us now. What had done so great and terrible a punishment should fall upon my life, for Madeline was life to me? If she suffered from this l would not live to face the memories of her awful death. My days had been un- stained by any great blot, and in this talk ing from a worse than murderer pure in- rrir VI coIf II StructiOn, l meant no sin, only safety for her-and I would say goodbye, and while her husband lived never look on her face again.
 Yes, my purpose was blameless, and ths Almighty, who knows all secrets reads all hearts, knew this and would aid me in my purpose. Gained by the thoughts I forced myself to look around me for some means other than the door to escape.
 There was the window. With eager haste I pushed table to the wall, placed 8 chair upon that and climned upon it. forced open the shutter and looked out and down, Yes, down. For the room was not on the ground-tioor and between me and the shrubbery lay distance of no less than thirty feet.
 I paused once more, battling with the return of dark despair, looked round me for some means to bridge over the gulf
 
 than leave unturned one stone to my great end.
 But rope first Of course there was no such thing in the room. Then a substitute. Anything and everything I could find must go towards making this ladder.
 A heavy curtain hung beside the win dow which could be drawn over it if nec- essary. I sprang upon the table once nd 1UranchaH thia frnTo slit it down the centre and tied the two ends-here was at least twelve feet of rope, but this wHs not half enough. A table-cover! When fair hands worked three dainty flowers upon it's soft plush surface the worker did not dream to what purpose her work would be put.
 This, torn in half also, only added another three feet to my rope looked found me once more. The room was for it's purpose barely furnished, and amidst the folios and collection of curious art me was to be found.
 Carpet there was none. The floor was of beautiful polished oak or 1 would have torn it from under my feet and compelled it to aid me. Was there then nothing left? Was my scheme after all to fail? No-no-it should not l would find some means. A moment of thought, then dn uOWn on my knees, CnlSol III hand, ripping with feverish haste the cover from the satin couch. Of it comes and 1 tie it on my rope. Two more feet gained.
 Again I pause, holding Madoline.s cloak in my hand; but this dare not use l must, at all costs, reserve it for after ward. What else, thenP
 An, the chairs they too shall aid me. Again l am on my knees, but my work is not so easy as l imagine. Listen! what is that9 The clock chimes the quarter-no the half-no-can believe my ears-the hour. It is whole hour since began to try and make my escape. l must work | like a demon or-no-no, not that thought. With the strength of a lion tear the covering from chair after chair, five feet more to my rope one cover more and l may venture, for I reckon that tC tie my rope to the window will considera ply shorten it. So, then, this other chail quick, quick-rip, rip-blow, blow wrench, 1 tie the last knot in my rope. 1 calculated it now measured at least nineteen feet. Quickly as my tretn b. ling hands would let me, raised the win dow, broke one of the panes in my rer