Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-06

cure his wound. lie was going to leaveI
her forever. His exile had begun. He
was even then on his way westward,
beyond the limits of the continent, to o.
land on which the sun, which had set for
them, was rising even as he spoke. Could
she deny him a last word, or be unfor-
giving if he had gained the opportunity
of speaking it, by bold and desperate
strolSeP
There is no lie that, when properly
presented, is beyond the credence of
woman. And rarely has that old and
extra durable talsehood been better
told that it was then. Amy be-
lieved that he was really going to do as
he said; that she was looking her last
upon him; that his sufferings were real:
that they would eventually be tho
death of him in some remote quarter OF
the globe, to which his heroic rcsolu-
ton to forsalke forbidden fruit should
have exiled him. That is the pity
which really Is akin to love. Without
thought of any outcome of the situa-
ton but n tragical farewell, Amy
listened to him, and replied with words
of sympathy. But she retained suffi-
cient sense to bid him instantly permit.
her to leave that room. Elsewhere sho
would speak with him as his unhappi-
aess nerited.
How long he would have STAYED off,
obedience TO the command, and whether
his cloquencc would have been equal TO
the unfolding of the remainder of the
well-known story, is problem impos-
sible of solution, for just as he had
romo to that part of it which introduces
the possibility of rcturn-that familiar
promise to brave II Thousand deaths if
ever she should need and summon him
-ho was interrupted by n strange aud
hideous sound.
1t was low ct first-a sort of shuddcr-
ing murmur that ran through the vast
hostclry; the sound OF n cry far or and
mutlled by closed doors; n clamor rising
from the street; and so, ut length, the
articulate name of deadly peril--fircl
fret.
Chase got upon his feet. and at first
he was inclined to congratulate him
SI.s
Here was chance to prove that he was
n real hero.
Don't be frightened" he said.
Come"
He took her hand and led her to tho
door. She was white as marble and
scarcely able to stand The instant
that that cry had fallen upon her ears
she saw Judgment in it. She had
listened to this man, had pitied and al
most loved him, and for her sin she
had been called to meet the most hor-
rible of deaths.
Chase opened the door. The corridor
looked just as it had when he had seen
it last. There was a sound of hurrying
feet, but for the moment no person was
visible. They were in an angle, and the
main exit could not be seen. He ad-
vanced calmly, leading her.
And then in an instant, as if with the
discharge of n cannon, there came u
puff of smoke, filling the corridor. He
dropped her hand and ran ahead, call
ing to her. At the junction of that
hall with the larger ono he' paused.
The smoke was already so thick that
looking back, he could hardly see her
cropping after him.
Terror seized him by the throat. Tho
voice with which he called to her was
hoarse and cholSed. He heard her cry:
''Save me! Save mel" Then she fell
at his feet. He tried to lift her in his
arms, but it is only in romance that
slender young men, with no air but
only smoke in their lungs, pick up
robust young women and run away
with them.
He stumbled and fell. She chung to
him. He heard her speaking fast and
wildly, in hysterical terror.
'You have tried to kill my soul" she
said. Save me from bodily death, and
we may both be forgiven"
Her hands clutched him. How much
he would have given, so short awhile
before, for that embrace! He opened
his mouth to speak. 1t was the last