The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-11-11

| Steduleu nliusell ny btlIHB oue udI'
upon my shoulder, and his bony knuck
les touched my chest as he arrange,
the stuff over my breast knew wha
that meant; IL was 10 prevent the be
traying blood from squirting upon his
arm.
In the pause that followed fancied
he must be turning up his sleeve, az
slaughter.
A thousand thoughts whirled
through my mind In that brief space
but a great awe came upon me as
felt his hand firmly grasp my left
shoulder, for then | realized that
was on the very brink OF eternity.
A feeling OF regret for the III use
had made OF many days-for the loss
of Edith, and the world which she had
filled with JOY and hope; a deep and
tender wish for her happiness, and
the welfare OF the companions that
had toiled with me 10 win the Hesper,
took the place OF terror, and II was
with something like resignation that
awaited death.
AS he grasped my left shoulder I
felt him lean over my right. and the
next moment he stabbed me.
He had not used sufficient force, for
| the knife point stuck in one OF the ribs
under my left breast, and went no fur
| ther.
He pulled tho knife out and tried
| again, but this time the blade scarcely
punctured my skin.
Then. seeing that the thickness OF
the doubled curtain was too great an
impedment, he unfOlded and rear
ranged it, passing his hand over my
breast and pressing his fingers here
and there TO ascertain whether he had
then that my nature revolving against
this barbarous refinement OF cruelty, /
prayed like Samson for strength, and
made one more effort 10 break my
bonds.
The twisted sheets and firm knots
withstood the strain, but the effort
saved my life. The calculating vii
lain knew ] must exhaust my strength
in few minutes, and would not risk
breaking his knife or getting smeared
with my blood ms l writhed.
And presently my force gave out,
and, all hope leaving me- ceased 10
struggle and was callous to his touch.
when he cnce more touched my
shoulder.
But in that moment OF dread silence.
when his knife must have been raised
to strike the final blow. the door han
die turned, and | felt his grasp relax
nay, his fingers tremble az they lay
on my shoulder.
There was an interval Of n minute,
and the door handle turned again,
then a voice, that | recognized as Lo-
las, spoke in low tone outside.
Are you there-youY A moments
pause, and she added-"You amt sick.
are your
She had come to my door and heard
me writing against the post.
What would the rascal do now? His
hand still trcnblcd II gave me cour-
age, for il showed that he feared dis
covery, and l knew he would not
risk his own neck for the mere pleas
ure OF killing me. put out my
strength again, making the bcdpost
snap under my strain.
shall I sing outT" Lola asked
little louder, and with an accent OF
alarm.
The hand slipped from my shoulder
and down my arm as the villain
stepped from the bed His position
was getting more pcrlous. II Lola
sang out" there would bc little chance
of his making OF with the diamond.
| had loosened the towel that bound
my bead and gagged me. I wrlgglcd
ahout furiously. worked the folds out
of my mouth. and rot my chin above
IL, breathing freely for the first tihlc
since ! had been tied m. At the same
moment | heard the key turn in the
door, and l knew that the murderer
intended 10 let Lola in and silence
her.
Take care, take carcr shouted as
loudly as the towel that still covered
my face would permit
Another wrigclc. and | felt that the
IL
Moreover, I distinguished a long gray
patch before me. The curtain OF the
oriel had been drawn back: the light
had sensibly increased during the time
occu1icd by the events | have mar.
rated.
i almost fancied saw the silhouette
Of a mans figure against the gray
ness. IL moved. and | was sure that
my eyes were net deceived; it dis
appeared, and almost Immediately
afterward heard fall upon the ter
race below. The man had dropped
down distance OF fifteen fee. from
the wi1dow-a drop Of not more than
six feet for an ordinary man hanging
from the ledge.
The feeling Of relief combined with
exhaustion caused 10y my frantic ef-
forts. was too much FOR me. was
giddy and sick. my eyes closed, the
sweat stood cold upon my face. every
muscle gave way and Quiyered. only
the bonds uporsAny body kept me from
falling.
"Y'ain't hurt. are you. dcarr were
the first words I heard IL was Lola's
voice, very gently and trcmulous.
NO; you have saved me- said.
She gave n little moan OF delight.
and her hands. which had been busily
Juggling at the knots. stopped in their
work
She threw her arms about my mock