The Dickinson press., 1892-06-04
THE GREAT AESPER.
TALE OF A BIG DIAMOND.
How an Immense Gem Was Lost.
Recovered, and Lost Again.
CHAPTER XI

That sound warned me that the end
was near. Not content with taking
the diamond, the scoundrel intended
to have my life,--to remove the pos
sibility, II possibility existed, OF being
identified as the thief by me.
He set about his work with devilisll
circumspection. heard the
metal rings clink as he
took up the fallen curtain from the
floor, and folded it, and the bed creak
as he got upon it. AS he approached
from behind, he steadied himself by
setting one hand upon my shoulder
Then he laid the folded curtain over
my other shoulder, and his bon!
knuckles touched my chest as he ar
ranged the stuff over my breast
knew what that meant; it was to pre-
vent the betraying blood from squirt
ing upon his arm.
In the pause that followed, fan
cied he must be turning up his sleeve
as butcher does who has beast te
slaughter
a thousand thoughts whirlet
through my mind in that brief space
but a great awe came upon me as fel
his hand firmly grasp my lef
shoulder, for then ! realized that
was on the very brink OF eternity
A feeling OF regret for the Ill use
had made OF many days, the los
OF Edith. and they world which she hat
filled Will. Joy and hope; deep an'
tender wish for rher happiness, and tn
! welfare OF the companions who hat
toiled withme to win the Hesper, tool
| the place OF terror, and it was will
something like resignation that
awaited death.
AS he graSped my lett shoulder,
next momeM, he stabbed me.
He had not used sufficient force, fol
the knife point stuck in one oi therlbs
under my left breast, and went nc
farther.
lie pulled the knife out, and tried
again; but L has time the blade scarce
ly puncturrl my skin.
Then, seeing chat the thickness o.
the doubled curtain was too great AL
impediment, he unfolded and rear
ranged it, passing his hand over my
breast, and pressing his fingers here
and there TO ascertain whet her he
had got it right for his purpose. 1t
was then that, my nature revolving
against this barharous refinement oi
cruelty. | prayed ik. Samson, for
strength; and made one more effort rc
break my bonds.
The twisted sheets and firm knots
withstood the strain; bu. the effort
saved my life. The calculating william
knew that must exhaust
my strength in Il Few min
utes, and would not risk
breaking his knife or getting smeared
with my blood as writhed.
And presently my force gave out
and, all hope leaving me, ceased tc
struggle, and was callous to his touch
when lie once more touched my shoul
der.
But in that moment of dread
silence, when his knife must have beer
raised to strike the final blow, th.
door hundle turned, and l felt his
grasp relax,--nay, his fingers tremble
asthey lay On my shoulder.
There was an interval OF a minute
and the door handle turned again;ther
a voice, that | recognized as Lola't
spoke in low tone outside.
care you tlere,-you?" Amoment'
pause and headded, You amt sick
are you?"
She had come t. my door and heard
me writhing against the post.
What would the rascal do now? his
hand still trembled. 1t gave me cour
age, for it showed that he feared dis
covery, and l knew lie would not
risk his ownneck for the mere pleasure
OF killing me- put out my strength
again, making the d-post snapundel
my strain.
"shall i sing out?" Lola asked, {
little louder, and with Ell accent @
alarm.
The hand slipped from my shoulde
and down my arm, as the villall
stepped from the bed. His positio,
was getting more perilous. If Lols
"sang OUT" there would be littl
chance OF his making of with tn
diamond.
had loosened the towel that bount
my head and gagged ME. l wrigglee
about furiously, worked the fold ou
OF my mouth, and got my chin abov
it, breathing freely for the first tim
since had been tied up. At the sam
moment heard the key turn in th
door, and | knew that the murdere
intended to let Lola in and silenc
| l,er,