Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-05-28

VI rough, uOiue-mdQ6 DeuSLedQ. his
| object, or collection of objects, they put
down in clear space not far from the
] fire (Which still fickered with hooking
+! cheeriness upon the heartily and pro-
| ceeded to set it in position.
Here we have modern imitation of
very ancient model as old as, and
f, older, than the Inquisition," Mr.. Smith
announced in the calm. distinct tone
of a lecturer. "You have, doubtless,
heard of the rack, as the most skillful
questioner which perhaps the world
has ever seen. In a few minutes, unless
you think better of your obstinacy, you
will have the opportunity of testing its
powers"
Never have l seen a face so hideous,
SO devilish as that face, while the glib
words of explanation flowed from the
thick, smiling lips Of red. In the black
eyes glistened ferocious appetite for
crime and all its details of horror,
which chilled the marrow of my bones.
| had made up my mind to death,
with it's attendant pangs. which judg-
ed that l should not be spared; but l
was weak from the loss of blood, and
the sick pain of the wounds, where the
| first numbness had been succeeded by a
fevered throbbing; and my heart failed
me for moment at the thought of tor
| ture, which must test my endurance
until the wrenching apart of soul and
body put an end to agony. l was help
less now, and at these mems mercy.
Bound and weak as l was, they could
do with me as they willed-all save
make of me traitor and coward.
"You hold me at disadvantage" I
| said, with your dastard's tricks, which
| put me at your mercy. You can do
with my body at you choose. But
even you, vile as you are, must have
some conception of what man can be.
You do not for an instant suppose that
anything you are able to do will force
me to answer your questions"
eve shall see," he responded, show
ing his white fangs like wolf. I'VE
shall see. My friends, we will not keep
the gentleman waiting. 1t is import
ant that he should speak soon, as Ma
ture may prevent him from speaking
long"
! 1t took the united efforts of the
three to carry me to the wooden mon
I ster which was now prepared to sup
upon my pain.
!
according to the ancient method which
they were following, my arms had to
! be unbound; and such remnants of
| strength as l had left, spent in resist
ance sending one man sprawling, and
cutting Mr.. Smiths blood filled lips
/ against the long, white teeth within.
as l fought the trio. But though | was
| too far spent to be match even for
one, still less three, it was not until
my arms had been stretched apart
above my head, that they dared attempt
! to repeat the unbinding process with
my ankles.
When all was done, the master stop
! ped his eager servants, whose grasp al
ready greedily fastened upon the crank,
! each turn of which was to stretch my
I flesh and muscle to the breaking
point
SIS your resolution as firmly fixed as
! ever, Mr.. Napier?" he inquired. ut
! is pity to MAIN so fine a specimen
; of manhood. Even now, it is not too
! late to save your life, if you will ac-
! cept it as the husband of beautiful
! girl, glad to worship you as hero"
tiff My resolution is as firmly fixed
as ever" | echoed. The thought had
occurred to me that l might pledge
myself to actions which l never meant
to perform; but, when l might have
! materialized it in speech, I found that
I the words would not be spoken. Even
! to view the matter from the lowest
standpoint, this man would find some
way of holding me to my word, or
shaming me to the dust in Lanoe's
n1-N- how I,
| could not bear. But, as | have said,
| that was merely the lowest standpoint
| Mounting higher, l knew that l would
sacrifice my life and consent to agon-
ize till death released me, rather than
yield towards pledge to such a man
as this. | simply could not do it; and
though physically, in my WEAKNESS
and pain, l shrank from further suffer-
ing, l realized with a strange exalta-
Ition of the spirit, that there was joy in
dying for Lance.
| Her presence seemed near me;
could see her pure face and shining
eyes, inspiring to my manhood as to
Galahad would have been the vision of
the Grail.
Lance" my heart said, though my
| lips were still, and then, in a wondrous
illuminating flash, / knew that what l
had dreamt was love for Marjorie Tes-
sett had never been love at its noblest
and tTuest.
All that was best in me at this SUI
preme moment between failing breath
and Quickening life-in-death, went out
to the girl who had come into my ex-
istence only three short days ago.
was hers, body and soul, for Eternity.
since in this world | should look upon
her beauty no more; and 1 was glad
that | was to suffer all for her.
Tom will keep her safe" | thought.
When | do net come, she will tell him
her story, as she told it to me, and he
viii fight for her and her rights, as l
would have fought, if l had been wiser
and kept myself out of their snares.
was not wise, but l have done what l
could, and she will remember me and
pray for me sometimes, please Cod
Ihen 1t began. With hideous ereak-
ing OF wood and taut ropes, the French
jew his face bright with revengeful ha-
tired Of me, gave the first turn of the
! screw. grinding agony indescribable
all but unbearable, seemed to sever limb
from limb, tearing tissue and muscle
sending darts of red-hot anguish
through each tortured nerve.
But | ground my teeth together while
they waited, as vultures wait on the dy-