Daily camera., 1901-09-28

fell In liquid showers amid the enOWe4Q
Of dew. She would listen, too. for the
woodpecker with its crimson head Of
firs burning behind Its driving BILL
like the glare OF the explosion that
gives the projectile its furious energy
She would know the exact time tc
arise by noting through the transoul
when a golden lance OF sunshine ripped
the palpitating shadow In the hall.
Al she lay meditating. with her hand
upon the soft fur Of her pet. she felt
soothed and lulled by its soft purring.
Suddenly the sound ceased. The cat
rose with arched back and glarins
eyes.
Glancins up, shs saw outlined
against the transom . human head.
Death was hers for the askinS. and
less!
She looked upon the door and in .
moment 1t was peopled with shadowy
faces. and she felt the carpet tora BY
champing teeth.
The paralysis Of her terror was also
her safety. She made NO sound that
would direct the attention Of the hsad
from the diamonds TO herself.
Terror had wrapped her so close in
his weaving that she could not wound
herself against the thorns Of danger.
Slowly the girl realized her situa-
ton. The first signal was like stun.
ming blow; then she came to the real
ised anguish. the nerves working into
tormented surprise. the chaos OF mis-
cry, excitement and fear.
She wondered what would b the
outcome. Death, indeed. but under
what circumstances?
Remote from human aid-choked
with strong hands about her throat
that grinning sepulcher q head
against her faos. while the conSss<ed
veins blackened. oh. the horror Of
such . Death! And worse than all
physical pain, the namslsss agony Of
fear.
Was there no help3 Could that dss-
persts intruder terminate the whole
design and mystery Of her sxisAencs?
Doubt and agony and gsoping hope
lay upoa her heart.
How long she lay In that condition
she could not tell.
The great house ssemed buried In
night and silence. The world had
fallen away in itA circuit. and this
fragment whereon the house was
builded lay lost in space. She felt that
the fathomless ocean held NO more i'm.
perious or sterner solitude.
After these maddening moments
tha. dsr,de the longevity OF tAs cen
turies. she suddenly thought Of An e.
cape.
She rose slowly. II wers easier TO
step barefoot on burning plowshares.
yet the girl did not falter. She
reached, the bureau where the dia-
monds lay. drew them with trembling
dngers from their case and stood alb
sently lingering the blszing Jewels ~
though loath to leave their sparkling
company: then. without replacing any
Of the stones. she left them In scat
tered confusion and walked slowly 90
the other end Of the room.
Those blazing crystals might we'll
hold the attention Of that terrifying
head for the moment at kast.
Then. summoning al her resolution.
she rushed 10 the door and With fu-
rious haste pressed the spring that
closed the heavy trsnsom-
A II closed with crushing force up
on the elinging fingers an unearthly
cry rang out upon the stiffness OF The
night. and the black eat sprang
through the open window into the i'm
penetrabls gloom
Some hours latsr Yloss's father and
brother returned. Their return WAS
not eoineIdent through design. but the
result Of an accident which was elicit
ing an earnest but ineoherent nara.
tive from the younger man and an ap-
pearsnce Of dark disapproral from the
elder. Their converse ton WAS abrupt
" terminated - they entered the
house by means and curses. The two
men spranR up The stairs 10 mad haste.
and . moment later stood before Flo
ra's door.
Hanging suspended from It. his
bloody fingers . man9led. monstrous
mass Of bruised 6esh. Was Lyndon.
Calmly regarding him with mahg-
nan, eyes lay ahe black cat. while upon
It's ebon fur the blood from the wound
ed hands fell in loDs. spsttering drops.
Flora lay within. huddled into
scarce recognized shape Of chatteriDg
fear. excitement and tears.
The cause Of the tragsdy-ths dis-
monds-by tina. common law Of per.
verse fate. were the only actors In the
play that showed no sign Of the ex-
nerienc.
r. Pvoo00ve the CSaSs ~ 1soWeoe.