The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-03-26

l
look of awe and fear, quailin!
beneath her glance when she dartet
her dark, flashing eyes upon him
"Come Davy, it will do now
Try if you can strike that darl
spot on the door," said Helen, pre-
senting the dagger to the trembling
Davy. The doughty husband tool
hold of the weapon, and made ;
plunge at the mark, but his agita
tion was so great that he strucl
two feet from the spot he intended
"Haw! haw! Lord! man, yol
could scarcely hit a barn door
You must have some brandy tC
settle your nerves." said the hag
affecting 20 regard Davy's trepida
tiOn in a humorous manner.
ooh! [ can never do it!-indeeG
l can't, said the husband beseech
ingly, trembling in every joint.
"L-o-r-d! Davy, you've grown
childish!' replied the hag. "See
with what ease [ can strike the
spot!"
So saying she took the dagger
from his trembling hand, and drove
it into the center of the sable mark
Drawing the steel out again with a
loud, feigned laugh at her superior
expertness, she presented the in
strument to her hopeful spouse,
saying
"Try and redeem your injured
reputation this time" Davy did
as he was ordered, inficting an
otherwound upon the board within
twelve inches Of the mark this time,
however. "Try it again! Haw!
haw! you're improving!' said the
hag. Davy made three or four
more lunges, still improving in his
aim as his excitement subsided, till
he at length succeeded in sticking
the blade into the desired spot.
''That will do!' said his better half.
81 knew you would succeed by
practice-it's a great school for
awkward folks. Now we will go
and finishithe business" she con
tinued, leading the way.
"Oh! can never do i'll" persisted
Davy, covering behind his mistress,
and following reluctantly.
"L-o-r-d! you cowardly fool"
returned the hag. "You shall do
what bid you, or I'll try it's point
on your own vile carcass. Here,
swallow this!" presenting glass
of spirits, which the trembling
Davy made out, however, to drink
without Il second request.
Mrs. Darby then led the way up
a winding staircase, and entered a
chamber where the beautiful
Christianna was reclining on sofa,
rapt in soft slumber. The unex-
tinguished light, sinking gradually
into the socket, cast a faint and
fainter glare over the apartment.
A half-open volume lay ON the
stand, which the maiden had been
reading when the leaden-eyed god
insensibly stole upon her.
"L-or-d!she has not retired yeti"
whispered the hag to her consort,
as they cautiously approached the
sleeping maiden; setting the light
in such a position as not to disturb
her.
''But it is no matter-she sleeps
soundly. Now, Davy strike, and
all is over and easily DONE"
But Davy shuddered, recoiling
from that fair form as it lay heaving
in sweet 1epose-a bright smile
playing about her rosy lips, and
the shining ringlets lying in sable
clusters over her graceful neck and
peerless bosom.
"Oh God! l can't do it: do not
urge me! the blood! the blood! l
see it bubbling out of that white
breast, and running in dark current
about my feet. smoking in curdled
pools over the floor! and my hands!
| see them stained with blood! it
will not wash off! those blue eyes,
too, will open, / know they will
and grow CLASSY and look at me
like his did! l see him now! his
grey locks, and the black blood,
streaming out of his side! Oh,
heavens! such a sight! do let me
go! she will awaken and scream,
know she will! l hear it now,
will hear it forever, as | did that
grOan! that terrible groan! | hear
it! it is ringing in my ears louder
than thunder!'
"L-o-r-d!what coward you are!''
said Mrs. Darly, after listening to
her husbands wild words. 'Is
your hand too weak to stick a
dagger in that lump of breathing
clay, and save your own vile neck
from the hangman's loop? Has she
not betrayed us, and will betray us
10 more, and give our enemies a
plea to chain us in dungeons dark
and damp? Then you will see
more than blood, and hear more
terrific sounds than screams, and
more fearful noises than groans!
But no! you shall not escape SO
easily. The hangman will come
and lead you away for that murder
Won aSSiStad inf Than Won will no