The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-11-27

1 Il. y"
only one tooth which hung down over
his under lip like tusk, and which
gave him q repulsive appearance
'I1Jah hated him. Well, she was
sitting idly on the seashore, behind
some rocks, looking over the sea
and wishing she could get into the koleh
(native boat) which lay moored close
by, and row across the water to her old
home where she had been so happy.
Suddenly she heard steps, and be-
came aware of voices conversing in an
undertone on the other side Of the rocks.
which, projecting seward, concealed
her from view, and she recognized that
the persons talking were her brother
in-law, Tong and his wife. She, heard
that the two were plotting away Slei-
mans life. Tong said that he had news
that his brother would come tomorrow.
and that he would have about 5000 with
him. They would kill him, and con
ceal his body, but how to accomplish it
without letting 'Tijah know? At the
mention of her name, she betrayed her
presence by low cry. In second the
two were upon her asking her what she
did there, and whether she had heard
what they. had said. Terrified Of the
wretches, she gasped out that she was
sleeping and their voices startled her,
but that she knew nothing Of what they
had been saying. Tong grasped her
by the shoulders and told her If she
was speaking the truth it was well for
her; but if not, she had better keep her
mouth shut, or he would b'laiar "a
threat). Then they let her 60.
''The next day Sleiman arrived and
was greeted with effusion by his rela-
tives. 'Tijah trembled and was silent.
She dared not tell him of the danger he
was in, but she made up her mind, il
she could get the opportunity, to warn
him to take care. Till late Sleilnan
sat outside talking to different neigh
bors who looked in, and 'Tijah crept
away to her room, meaning to lie and
watch until Sleiman joined her, but
wearied with the alarm and anxiety Of
the previous night, she fell asleep.
'She awoke with sudden sense of |
terror knocking at her heart. By the
light of the moon which penetrated
through small window in the hut she
saw Sleiman extended by her side; for
a short space Of time she heard nothing
but the noise of his loud shores, when
sort of shutting sound in
side the room struck her as something
strange. Itseemed as though some ami
NAL was crawling along the floor, and
as she looked with trembling expect
.ncy toward the direction whence it
lame, the face of Tong slowly rose
beside Sleiman from the other side Of
he low bed on which she lay. She held
Ter breath, hardly daring to keep her
yes fixed on him lest the intensity of
Ter gaze should draw longs attention
o herself. A fash % something bright,
long-drawn groan, short struggle,
md then pillow flung over the mouth
which was still capable of crying out
or help, and brawny muscular arms,
'ressing it firmly down till the convul-
i've heaving ceased, and all was still as
cath. 'Tijah closed her eyes with
ne deep shuddering sigh and tainted.
When she regained her senses, she
Jared to move or look at first, dreading
hat CHASTITY sight would meet her.
he put out her hand and felt about
autiously. The dead form of Sleiman
as still beside her; the pillow rested
yer the face; in the room no sound,
ut below stealthy passing to and
and his wife preparing to
It rid of the body.
'Tijah paused. thinking what to do;
len she rose slowly and crept outside.
he door of the house was open, and
ong had evidently just gone out. She !
ught up sarong (skirt) which lay .
EAR her on the floor, and flung it over
II head; then, without backward y
ance, she fled through the doorway, !
id as fast as her terror-stricken limbs q
ould carry her down to the seashore.l
took no time to unfasten the koleh, n
ID in few moments she had grasped q
e paddle and had set out in her tiny .
at to row over the miles of sea which y
= between her and her parents home "
Malacca. 1t was a frail bark for
fety; but she felt she could trust to
sooner than to those bloodthirsty a.
satures she had left behind. A long D
Iylshe rowed, and the next day when CT
? sun got up and scorched her, she
lied in her paddle and rolled herself a.
her sarong and lay down in the bot u
n of the boat and slept. She was
FUSED by the movement Of her cookie a.
I'll. 1t was night; a breeze had az
-ung up and a squat was coming; u
Iite crests tipped the waves and al
avy bank of clouds obscured the star m
bit, and in few moments a black u
! of darkness enveloped her. The
id struck the fragile craft, whirling