The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-11-13
and the plans which had been formed.


now it was all over, I must tb;nl
more of entering again the bright re-
glon 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 watery grave. As
held on to my feeble support and
thought of all this my brain reeled
within me and feared that INV reason
must give way.
Death instead of marriagei What a
contrast! just when ought to be lead
ing my bride to the altar and steppinp
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 she would sorrow,
and grieve, and be disconsolate.
But Horace Rishton! What of him?
Might they not become man and -
But, no, the Thought was torturing. and
drove me in 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 | know how the morning
hours dragged on, for was numb with
cold, and faint with hunger and ia
tigue. | only know that after what
seemed to me to be ages, footsteps drew
near, and voice called out from
above:
Are you there, Fred?''
My heart leaped into my mouth, and
for moment 1 was unable to utter
sound. At last I murmured, in a faint
voice:
I'm heavens name, get me outl Tn
dying"
''Can you hold on another minute ?''
the voice asked. GIVE got rope here.
Keep up till l fasten it to this stake.
Can you slip loop round your body,
or shall come down to your"
"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 l 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 nv
rival, it was then.
81 cannot sufficiently thank YOU"
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 OF whatever you like. No one else
did. They will seek everywhere but here
But I 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 |. Yes,
with love that is all-consuming-a
love which gives me no rest night or
day, 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 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.
watched him wonderingly with
dazed mind when all in a moment, be-
fore could think or speak, he reeled.
fell over. and toppled headlong into the
pit from whence he had drawn me, car
rying the rope with him.
Good Heaven, he's gone!" shrieked.
and springing to my feet-for the numb
ness left me for moment rushed to
the mouth of the shat crying fran
tically: Horace! 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. fell senseless to
the ground.
When I came to | found myself in
the same position, and knowing that
it was extremely improbable that any
one would pass that way. | put forth
all my strength, and dragged myself
with great difficulty in the direction OF
homo.
When | lad gone mile or so ! Ell
tered upon more frequented road
and soon fell in with those who rem
t;ercd me ar; the assistance required.
Nv story caused Il great sensation.
rs you may be si.re. and for time
,tas The ore object of interest in the
9ia c.
Ada looked Il; ne as one given rack
,:oil aaa dead. ard rcioicrd over me
~c3rd.r~ly Ger iof s-on!d have heen
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ara . Na:sr of me so AID !
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