The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-04-29

In silence ana despair.
My heart sickened as / thought Of
the loneliness Of the place, and how
days, and oven weeks might elapse
before any one passed that way.
l struck out frantically round the
pit to seek again for some means OF
escape, but my search was as fruitless
as before.
Despair took hold of me. 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 [ had anticipated it's pleasure
And now it was all over. must think
no more of entering again the bright
region above and sharing in the joys
that awaited me. 1 was doomed to die
to die lonely, solitary, horrible
death, and to lie in q watery grave.
AS hold on to my feeble support and
thought of all this, my brain reeled
within me, and feared that my reason
must give way.
Doath instead of marriage! What
a contrast Just when l ought to be
leading my bride to the altar and
life, to let 60 my hold here and tall into
the cold, relentless arms of Death! And
what of Ada then? Surely she would
sorrow, and grieve, and be disc0nsO-
late.
But Horace Rishton What of
him? Might they not become man and
But, no, the thought was tortur-
ing, and drove me In q fit Of frenzy to
shout again with all my might. But
it was all in vain, for no one heard.
How tho night passed | cannot tell,
Dtf lfNT In fnn
| hours dragged on, for | was numb
with cold, and faint with hunger and
fatigue. l only know that after what
seemed to me to be ages, footsteps
drew near, and u voice called out from
above:
"Are you there, Fred ?"
My heart leaped into my mouth, and
for Il moment | was unable to utter u
sound. At last murmured, in u faint
voice;
"In Heavens name, get me out Pm
dying" ,,
the voice asked. I've got rope
here. Keep up till | fasten it to this
body, or shall como down to you"
Send the rope down, pll manage
to pass it round" l shouted eagerly.
| In another minute it was dangling
before my eyes, and was soon passed
under my arms after which | gave
the word to draw up. Slowly | as
conded, 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 deliverer, and wept for very joy at
my release.
1t was Horace Rishton who had
| IcDy Il
out TO my rival, it was then.
81 cannot sufficiently thank you,"
began.
| Give me no thanks" he interrupt
ed harshly. "Thank Heaven instead.
Heaven and hell have been fighting
over you, and Heaven has won. But
you little know how near you have
been 70 death"
looked up in wonderment at him,
for his words were unintelligible to
me; He took no notice OF my look, but
COntIluGd
4" guessed whore you were, call it
Instinct or whatever you like. No one
else did. THY vii, seek everywhere
out mere. Bus i; seemed to know, aad
well, the Devil tempted me, nay, he
fought with me. Dent you know why?
You love Ada Miller, do you not?
Ihen, SO DO |, Yes, with q 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 hor. You have won her hand,
| put don't ynn think envy YOU? Don't
yon think | even hate you at times :?
And when | guessed you were here,
dont you see that the Devil tempted
me to leave you here and to say moth
ing whatever about it? But Ada has
| chosen Sh IN
ding day draws near. Go-take her and
be happyrSV~But for me happiness in
this life is over.
He turned away to unloosen the rome
whlch ne had made fast to ono OF the
stakes Of the fence.
l watched him wOnderingly with u
dazcd mind, when all in moment be-
lore could think or speak, he rcelcd,
| fell over, and toppled headlong into
the pit from whence he had drawn me,
carry ing the rope with him.
He's gone" shricl1eG, aca SPRING
ing to my fcct-for the numbncss left
me for Il mOmcnt-I rushed to the
mouth OF the shaft crying franticaly,
" Horace Horace :"
But 40 answer came to my cries. A
loud splash succeeded his fail, then al!
vas st!l! and silent as tho grave
| looked around for help, but no help
w. near, and overcome with weak
n@es, ianKut, and horror, ! foil scnsc-
Less 70 thE YrpuDd.
| When caMH VI found myself In
b'e same i>rsI1rD, hn1 knowing that
II "t's t<W@W"Jy ImprObnblo that any.
"n'' ""DJD p;&#: tnAt my, ! put fortl,
al ny "hGhYth, mnd dragged mygclf
| SAW Ef@ht hliHcujty in tho direction
! NDUJe.
Wh@h J hhd YOnG IL mile or so I en-.
t@r"b upon IL more frc1ucntcd road,
thd hDrh tell In Wlth tiIOnU who render
@h ~" itlJ lh" hh"inhnncn required.
Wy hl"ry "nnnnd IL great mnnuLion,
| Is you mhy b" nnr", aud for IL tilnc wiH
III" on" nhj"Gt Of Inherent IN tho plncn.
hhn iooh"d upon mo ~ ono given
'hoh rom the dGnd, and rcjOicod
nVor ~" "ccorhingIy Ilor JOY would
lhVn bo:h compl"L" had 10 not bron
ior VI" nnfOrLIinnLo drtLh Of lIoraco
ltlhiIhoh, fOr that naturally emit IL
gloom over uH MI.