The Lamar register., 1901-06-19

cessantly; that fancied myself. now
the successful lover. now the forsaken
husband; and could only be pacified by
the assurance of her speedy return.
"Be this as 1t may. I can remember
well how often saw her standing by
my bed. an airy impalpable shape, Of
which could not possibly discover a
single feature; but all seemed a gilt
tering array of misty loveliness. And
when. in voice that l could under
stand (though on the duller ears of
my attendants 1t fell like the whispers
of the evening wind) she bade me seek
her at the Hall, how could 1 disobey?
l only watched my opportunity and
counterfeiting sleep one hot summer
afternoon saw them all leave the rooms
with noiseless steps, and l knew that
was free.
1.-THE glass door at the lower end of
my apartment led into the garden.
From that. the lonely road led over
the hill. and to the site of the Hall was
easily gained. drew my dressing gown
around me. thrust my feet into a pair
of embroidered slippers and passed out.
"Oh. the glad thrill that shot through
my veins at the first free breath Of the
summer air! oh, the delight with
which my parched lips quaffed the
clear water in the fountain by the ar
Dor! spilled it over me in my feverish
haste! l threw it over my hot face.
and over my closely shorn head! Then
| unfastening the little wooden gate l
ran swiftly. longing. but not daring, to
shout aloud in my joy. till the hill road
was gained.
81 climbed the hills and descended
the valleys-I waded through the NOR
ass, not without sickening fear when
saw the brown and black water
snakes glide lovingly in pairs around
me.
"At length | stood upon the brow Of
the last hill and saw what l had not
before discovered-that precipice lay
at my feet. jagged and rough enough.
it Is true, to admit of careful de-
scent. but still fearful thing to look
at and attempt. Other way. however.
there was none; and holding my
breath and uttering an inward prayer
to God. began to descend. Slowly
ten feet of the bottom. / looked back
at the height l had descended. and
with gay laugh grasped at bough
which grew near. and swung myself
from the rock on which stood.
But was prematurely excited. The
shrub to which had entrusted my life
and safety. though seemingly strong
was in reality decayed. and but slightly
rooted. l felt 1t grinding up from the
ground, and knew that In another mo-
ment l should fall below. l clutched
frantically with my free hand.
shrieked aloud In my frenzy and de-
spair when found I could not hold
my precarious footing. l looked be.
meath me at the rocky bed of the brook
and thought how soon l should Ii
might be dead! The shrub broke In
my hand|I was gone!
But at that moment OF my fail
terror gave me strength. and with q
tremendous muscular effort threw
my body out from the bank in a fran
tic leap for life.
my presence of mind probably saved
me; for in the place of falling directl,
below and upon the rocks, the impetui
of my leap sent me far out into thi
stream, where bed OF soft sand re
ceived me, and the cool water, toe
shallow to engulf. rippled around mi
in separate streams.
How long lay there cannot tell
but when at last I unclosed my eyei
and looked up at the calm. blue sky
that seemed to bend close above me
the hot sun. though veiled behind {
pavilion of feecy clouds. dazzled ny
eyes and burned my cheek. -
| Ito be continued.)