The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-08-26

world. If one could find really sin.
cere woman-rather pretty, too-what
satisfaction it would be to marry her!
But where in the wide world is one to
look for such2
While gazing intently out of tho win
dow with an interest beyond the ordin-
cry shall confess it2--in the fair pedes-
trian, thought saw a man moving
among the shrubbery near my gate, but
on closer inspection concluded that | had
been deceived. l watched the stately
lady out of sight, laughing at my own
folly the while, and was about to turn
my attention to the old attic when fclt
something touch me. The touch was at
first so faint that thought It might be
fancy, or that 1 might have come in con-
tact with the wall. In order to see the
street plainly, had been forced to pro-
trude my shoulders through the aperture,
which is too small to permit one to turn
round. Before had time to withdraw
my head, the touch became grip, aud
two stout arms were about my waist.
was hel as in wise!
Picture to yourself my position. Night
was falling, was alone, aud q prisoner
in my own house. A prisoner of whatl
of whom1 might call; but who would
hear me2 l knew the house was empty.
My old housekeeper had gone out, and
might not return for hours. So long as
she attended to my wants and got my
meals regularly, seldom inquired where
she went or how long she stayed.
"Who are youG" 1 gasped.
No reply.
"Let me CO." shrieked; "I shall
| alarm the neighbors. Not sound but
the echo of my own voice among the
rafters.
"Help! helpw screamed.
The grip of the villain tightencd.
One hand slowly moved up toward my
neck, making its murderous purpose
moro apparent; the other was very near
my faithful old gold time-piece, ana
heirloom that numbered more years than
myself. Was to be murdered for its
possession2
In frenzy partly made up of fear,
partly of rage. struggled to get my
head and shoulders out of the orifice in
order to be on more equal terms with
my dastardly assailant; but seemed
like babe in his grasp. My blood
chilled at the idea of being so po yerless.
Did the cut-throat intend to throttle me,
or throw me from the window Of my
own attica AS yet he had not uttered
| sound. I could hear the muffled
movement Of his feet on the floor; bat
not worI, not breath. A cold sweat
broke out all over me; my sight grew
dim. The silence of my mysterious as
saiant was worse than any uproar. Why
did he not speak2
"Help! hclpw screamed, my strength
fast failing.
felt powerful Leg twisting about
my own; he was about to throw me
bodily from the window.
Frenzy nerved me with a strcugth not
my own. 1 squrmed, twisted, bit,
| screamed, and kicked like a madman.
The extreme violence Of my strength
shall never cease to astonish me. sue
ceeded in getting my head and shoulders
out OF the aperture, broke loose from the
villains grasp, aud sent him sprawling
on the floor. rolled over and over him
In my frenzy. Every man has more or less
of the savage in him, and for the time
being every savage instinct in my nature
was uppermost. 1t WAS fight for life.
The attic had grown dark, and the floor
was so strewn with boxes aud bundles
that 1t was impossible to avoid them.
We fell over them repeatedly in our
struggles. Precious though the old un.
framed paintings were, trod them un-
derfoot; much Us priced my violins,
hurled them at the villain with all my
strength. | be Ian to have some advan.
tage over him; he did not know the attic
rs we'll as |. He stumbled against the
angles, tipped over cases that knew the
location Of, bumped against the sloping
ceiling. My courage began to rise once
more.
"Be.one, or shall shoot" l cried
For the first time there camea Il sound
from the villain. lie chuckled! Well
he knew had no weapon, and well for
him had not!
| "Ycu are at my mercy; surrcnderw
called, in voice loud and shrill
enough to rouse the neigaborhood.
Again the dastari chucklei! What
deviltry was ne plottnga
SWill y-~.. -..--s..,fvi q" I ,fom1n led.
swell, hardlyw
his first words. 1 had not expected
reply, aud the words had strange an
uncanny ring. I confess tremblel.
''iou are my prisoner" said in
lower key and with less contilence.
"Am II"
The etlrontery of the villain astouuded
and cxasperated me. | cau sht up the
first thing could reach AMI hurled it
at him. 1t crashed loudly against the
wall. Shortly after there came
scratching sound, aud light ictere in
the darkness. He had coolly struck II
match!
locke at him in amaze ncnt. One
glance was enough. AS | have said,
every man has more or less Of the sayars
IN him, a1d my savage gain assume
the mastery. / have been angry mlpy
times in my life; but never quite so angry
rs then.
Whose features did the light make
apparent to mc2 A dark face |, nall
eyed, short -hairc villain! a low. BRO vel