The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-06-08
JANET LEE
In the Shadow of the
GaUOWS.
BY DAVID LOWRY
CHAPTER III.
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CHAPTER II.
THE MURDER.
The sailor was awakened by draught
on his hand. The draught came from
the opening in the window. He was, as
many Of his class are, light sleeper. He
lay quietly listening. The storm had ex-
pended its fury, but the wind was still
high. Above the sound of the storm
be heard q peculiar sound against the
side Of the house.
The sailor sat bolt upright in bed.
The noise continued. The sailor slipped
softly out of the bed, walked across the
room, and felt in his pocket for the
weapon he relied upon. Then he donned
his clothes. As he was doing this gust
blew in the room. STOPPING, the sailor
was Just able to discern figure at the
window. The intruder was feeling his
way cautiously. The distance between
the window and the bed was not more
than three feet. The man was we'll in
the room: he was feeling the side Of the
bed when the sailors hand clutched his
throat.
There was q smothered sound as the
sailor pressed tho intruder back on the
bed silently At first the sailor was re-
solved to throttle the robber. Then as he
relaxed his grasp, the intruder said, in
husky tones, For Gods sake let me
breathe"
who are you?"
Take your hands from my throat
I'D serve you right to end your life
here: Stealing in upon traveller to
murder him."
Il am no thief. I am the landlords
son"
"A likely story. I'll call your father
mp, and you can tell him how You came
in on me-"
For Gods sake, listen. I am power
less. See-I bear no arms. I am o
sailor-an honest sailor"
"God save the mark"
Il tell you I have just escaped ship
wreck. I am Just come from Marble
head on account Of foolish fight, but
I'm no more to blame"
What So you were on the
Eliza. And wrecked before. Now the
officers are hunting me. can prove
nm not in the wrong; but if my father
knows I am here, he will almost kill me.
I've cost him trouble-and money. l
thought to steal in-this is my own bed
and room-sleep while, and be of early
before any one woke"
"Stop-let me feel your hand. 'Tis
true. This is no base liar after all.
Il tell you I've been away from home
four months-four years it seems"
-Come-let's have look at you
The sailor held tinder box in his
hand. A fame Illuminated the room,
and in the brief period the light fell upon
the intruders face the sailor scanned
him from head to foot.
aT ID0op x,on-yOu Uarp AMMO the first
to stave in the casks Of rum. Here, lie
down, and in the morning 60 like man
to your father -"
Il dare not.
We'll, lie down, and go to sleep"
The landlords son cast himself, just
as he was, on the bed. The sailor dis
robed once more and laid down beside
him and fell asleep the second time.
He was awakened later-he had no idea
what time it was-by cresking stairs. He
removed the cover, stepped noiselessly
put Of bed, and, as he donned his clothes
q second time. listened intently. A life
of danger had sharpened senses naturally
acute. Yes, there could be no doubt about
it. Somebody was ascending the stairs
stealthily. The sailor felt his weapon,
and moved back to the bench. The door
was opened slowly: then in the darkness
the sailor thought mans figure was
dimly outlined.
The stature was that of the landlord.
Now another step was heard on the
stairs. In the darkness the sailor was
unable to perceive the movements of the
figure until suddenly he became sensible
of the presence OF some one near at hand.
Then the sailor realized that he was un-
able to prevent terrible, q monstrous
crime. The figure lowering between him
and the bed stopped. At venture the
sailor aimed his pistol at the figure, fred,
and then bounding past the man he fred
at. he sprang across the bed, darted
through the window, and falling on q
plank placed against the house placed
there by the landlords SOM. slid to the
ground and disappeared in the darkness.
When the report Of the pistol was
beard, Grizzle Meade was approaching
the door with light. The sudden fright
caused Grizzle TO drop the light, which
who had been flung hesdlong to the floor
his wife for letting the light fall, stun.
bled against her in the dark, then has
tened down stairs for fresh light, and
speedily returned to the bedroom.
Grizzle Meade was wringing her hands
In terror, and crying, We are undone-
We are undone, Daniel"
'Pesce-be quiet" her husband COM
manded, as he approached the led and
held the light over it. Grizzlies eyes were
on his every movement. Suddenly he
put q hand over his face and staggered
back. Grizzle seized the light from his
trembling hand and looked at the man on
the bed. As she looked her frame seemed
to be rigid, the blood receded from her
lips; her face grew ashen-gray as she
stared stonily down on the face row
yelled forever with the awful shadow of
death. She opened her mouth, but no
sound issued from her lips. Then she
turned slowly. her body seemingly rs rigid
IS stone-turned, with horror dlIatlng ner
eyes, and stared awe-stricken at her hus-
band, covering, groveling on the floor,
with the knife in his hand.
Then, with cry that sounded like that
of wild animal, Grizzle Meade fell in
hoen beaida her bpoboDd