The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1891-12-31

head. nnd bring down q wrap which
knew was hanging In my closet
Il didn', want her to ask the time.
for II she found 1t was midnight, as II
was our game. then in it's most excit-
ing stage, would have been spoiled.
and the glory OF my beating my faith.
| or for once would have been lost
/ SO up I jumped and without vast
ing precious moments in getting 6
light l rushed upstairs and into my
room which was dark as Egypt
The storm outside was wild one
and the wind was roaring fearfully
through the trees and shaking the
shutters as if i. would rattle them of.
But had no difficulty in cropping
my way to my close. where among my
dresses and things the wrap hung.
when opened the closet door
fanc:ed I heard movement inside.
but thinking. may be- a mouse had
made it began feeling with my hand,
among the hanging garments foT the
| article I WAS after.
suddenly my fingers touched q
man bcwhiskered face.
Ere 1 could give scream TO. help
two great rough hands had me by the
throat dra :ging me in the closet and
choking my bre:.th away.
Then my presence OF mind and
courage showed themselves.
In spite Of my terror. in spite ol
the pains of strangulation l MANAGED
10 stamp and pound my feet several
times on the Goor.
Do that again an yer die. , hissed
| my terrible asssilants fendish voice
in my cars while his fierce, strong
fingers frightened themselves about my
| poor neck which is SCARED yet with
with the cuts his sharp nails dug.
but with what little strength waf
left me pounded on The floor the sec
ond time with my heels and-made uE
ny mind to die. / hardly expected
The signals would be understood and
If they were I feared father alone
would be no match for the villain whit
then had me pushed in the far corner
of the closet and was fast etrangline
my life away.
The pain of my being rapidly
choked into insensibility or death wa.
nothing to the agony Of suspense l en-
dured during those terrible moments
waiting. praying that help would come
In time. Then I remembered nothing
more"
Aunt Kate stopped for a moment Il
rest, while with faces pale and horri
ned. we gazed at the cruel scars. feint.
" showing on her fair. white neck.
Il guess mother had better finist
the story. for she saw the ending and
didn't, said brave Aunt Kate. ''oI
perhaps it Is too late to continue to
.nt-besldes you may all get too
frightened to go to bed," she smiled.
seeing our eager but fea-- stricken
looks.
'Oh, no. indeed" we gasped in Choir
us. well be just as bold as you were.
1t isn't late yet Come, Gran'ma,
please tell us If dear Aunt Kate was
killed or not Please, please do"
Grandmother. unable to withstand
our volley of appeals. began.
We'll children, she soberly spoke,
Il suppose I'll have to-but don't
blame me if you have nightmares OF
black robbers and murderers.
AFTER pretty Kate had gone up
stairs her father picked up a book to
read till she returned and L
1 commenced doing again. At any
,,o+o u-,, e<,,tIad e,,ddap1v h., .
pounding sound overhead. Husband
must have heard It too. for he laid
down his book 10 listen.
What noise was thatP" ] asked,
Seems like someone calling US.
80. moth ng,' he ans sered. only
the storm. for 1t was blowing great
guns outside. He took up his book
and commenced quietly reading again.
a. 1 think you had better run up
stairs and see l said.
30. It isn't worth while' he
laughed. II Kate wanted us she
would call and then in his provok-
ingly slow way he added. Kate will
be down in minute and I want e
finish our game before CO.
But wasn't satisfied; a mother
somehow has a keener sense when her
children are in peril and while. OF
course, didn't dream that anything
WAS wrong l naturally felt apprehen-
5ive
'.At last 1 spoke up. Well. If you
won't 60. will and taking a lighted
candle started.
Before got to the foot of the stairs
| heard the second sound-apparently
of someone knocking on the floor or a
door. couldn't tell VIII ch. but it made
me hurry until entered Kate's room.
Just then puff of wind blew out nv
light and left me in p tch darkness.
&" Kate! Kate called. where are
youP Is anything the matter?'
Not a reply came back, only the
noise of the tempest and the wind
blowing in an open window broke the
uncanny silence.
II felt my way hack to the top OF
ihe stairs. John!' shouted. Come
up. quick and bring lantern, for my
candle is blown out Something is
the matter.
The tone Of my voice must haye
alarmed my husband for quickly l saw
him mounting the stairs with his