The Van Buren press., 1896-12-05


loneliness of the place, and how days,
and even weeks, might elapse before
anyone passed THAT Why
| struck out frantieally round the pit
to seek again for some means of escape.
but my search was as fruitIess as be-
fore.
Despair took hold of me. I thought
of Ada, of our approaching marriage, OF
the preparations which had been made
and the plans which had been formed.
How bright the world had seemed but
few moments before, and how keenly
l had anticipated its pleasures! And
now it was all oter. | must think ne
more of entering again the bright re-
gion above and sharing in the joys that
awaited me there was doomed to die
to die a lonely. solitary, horrible
death, and to lie in a watery grave. As
I held on to my feeble support and
thought of all this my brain reeled
within me and I feared that my reason
must give way.
Death instead of marriage! What a
contrast! just when | ought to be lead
ing my bride to the altar and stepping
across the portal of married life, to let
go my hold here and fall into the cold,
relentless arms of DEATH And what of
Ada then? Surely sac would sorrow,
and grieve, and be diseonsolate.
But Horace Rishtonl What of him?
Might they rot become man and -
But, no, the thought WIS torturing, and
drove me in a fit of frenzy to shout
again with all my might. But it was all
in vain, for no one heard.
How the night passed | cannot tell,
neither do I know how the morning
hours dragged on, for was numb with
cold, and faint with hunger and ia
tigue. l only know that after what
seemed to me to be ages, footsteps drew
near, and a voice called out from
above:
Are you there, Fred"
My heart leaped into my mouth, and
for moment I was unable to utter
sound. At last murmured, in faint
voice:
I'm heavens name, get me out! Tn
dying"
Can you hold on another minute? ?"
the voice asked. Eve got a rope here.
Keep up till I fasten it to this stake.
Can you slip a loop round your body,
or shall come down to you?"
"Send the rope down. I'll manage to
pass it round l shouted eagerly.
In another minute it was dangling be-
fore my eyes, and was soon passed
under my arms, after which | gave tho
word to draw up. Slowly l assembled.
and at last emerged into the light and
freedom of the upper air.
| AS lay upon the ground-for my legs
were useless to mel looked at my de-
liverer, and wept for very joy at my re-
lease.
1t was Horace Rishton who had saved
me, and if ever my heart went out to my
rival, it was then.
Il cannot sufficiently thank you" l
began.
"Give me no thanks" he interrupted
harshly. THANK Heaven instead.
Heaven and hell have been fighting over
you, and Heaven has won. But you lit
| tie know how near you have been to
death"
l looked up in wonderment at him.
for his words were unintelligible to me.
He took no notice of my look, but con-
| tinued;
81 guessed where you were, call it in
stinct or whatever you like. No one else
| did. They VIII seek everywhere but here
But 1 seemed to know. and-well, the
devil tempted me, nay, he fought with
me. Don't know why? You love Ada
| Miller, do you not? Then, so do l. Yes,
with a love that is all-consuming-a
love which gives me no rest night or
| day, n love which makes it impossible
| for me to live without her. You have
won her hand, but don't you think
envy you? Don't you think l even hate
you at times? And when guessed you
were here, don't you see that the devil
tempted me to leave you here and to say
| nothing whatever about it? But Ada
has chosen you, she loves you. Your
wedding day draws near. Go-take her
and be happy. But for me happiness in
this life is over"
He turned away to loosen the rope
which he had made fast to one Of the
stakes of the fence.
l watched him wonderingly with II
dazed mind, when all in a moment, be
fore l could think CT speak, he reeled,
fell over, and toppled headlong into the
pit from whence he had drawn me, car
ryiDg the rope with him.
Good Heaven. he's gone!" shrieled.
and springing to my feet-for the numb
ness left me for a moment rushed to
the mouth of the shaft crying fran
| tically: "Horacel Horace!"
But no answer came to my cries. A
/ loud splash succeeded his fall, then all
was still and silent as the grave.
looked around for help, but no help was
near, and, overcome with weakness, IA
tigue and horror, l fell senseless to
the ground.
When 1 came to 1 found myself in
/ the same position, and knowing that
it was extremely improbable that any
one would pass that way, . put forth
all nv strength, and dragged myself
with great difficulty in the direction Of
home.
When l had gone a mile or so | en-
tered upon more frequented road
4 and soon fell in with those who rem
dered me ali the assistance required.
Ny story caused a great sensation
as You may be sure, aud for time
was the one object of interest in the
/ place.