The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-01-03

| curtain from the QO0r, ana I0lueu II,
and the bed creak ais he got upon it.
AS he approached from behind. he
steadied himself by setting one hand
upon my shoulder, and his bony knuck-
les touched my chest as he arranged
the stuff over my breast. knew what
that meant; it was to prevent the be-
traying blood from squirting upon his
arm.
In the pause that followed, fancied
he must be turning up his sleeve, as
a butcher does who has beast to
slaughter.
A thousand thoughts Whirled
through my mind in that brief space.
but a great awe came upon me as I
felt his hand firmly grasp my left
shoulder. for then realized that I
was on the very brink Of eternity.
A feeling Of regret for the i'll use
bad made Of many days-for the loss
of Edith, and the world which she had
filed with joy ard hope; q deep and
tender wish for her happiness. and
the welfare Of The companions that
had toiled with me to win the Hesper,
took the place Of terror, and it was
with something like resignation that
awaited death.
AS he grasped my left shoulder
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
Their.
He pulled the knife out and tried
again, but this time the blade scarcely
punctured my skin.
Then, seeing that the thickness of
tie doubled curtain was too great an
impeachment, he unfoIded and rear
ranged it, passing his hand over my
breast and pressing his fingers here
and there to ascertain whether he had
got it right for his purpose. 1t was
then that, my nature revolving against
this barbarous refinement of cruelty, I
prayed like Samson for strength, and
made one more effort to 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 as writhed.
And presently my force gave ont,
and, all hope leaving me, I ceased to
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 TIE final blow, the door han
die turned, and felt his grasp relax
may, his fingers treinble as they lay
ON my shoulder.
There was an interval OF minute,
and the door handle turned again,
then voice. that I recognized as Lo-
las, spoke in a low tone outside.
Are you there-youw A moments
pause, and she added-''You amt sick,
ere your
She had come to my door ana heard
me writing against the posts
What would the rascal do now? His
hand still trenbled 1t gave me cour-
age, for it showed that he feared dis
covery, and / knew he would not
risk his own neck for the mere pleas
ure Of killing me. put out my
strength again, making the bedpost
snap under my strain.
"Shall sing outg" Lola asked, a
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 periIoHs. If Lola
''sang OUT there would be little chance
OF his making OF with the diamond.
had loosened the towel that boun6
my head and gagged me. wriggled
about furiously, worked the folds Out
| Of my mouth, and got my chin above
it, Breathing freely for the first tihne
since had been tied up. At the same
moment heard the key turn in the
door, and knew that the murderer
intended to let Lola In and silence
| her.
'yrake care, take carey ! shouted a;
loudly as the towel that still covered
my face would permit.
Another wliggle, and felt that the
upper part Of my face was uncovered
Moreover. distinguished a long gray
| patch before me. The curtain Of The
oriel had been drawn back; the light
had sensibly increased during the time
occupied by the events / have mar
rated.
| almost fancied saw the silhouette
OF man's figure against the gray,
ness. It 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 a distance Of fifteen feet from
the window a drop Of not more thar
six feet for an ordinary man hanging
! from the ledge
The feeling Of relief, combined will
exhaustion caused by my frantic ef
forts, was too much for me. ] wal
glddy and sick. my eyes closed, tht
sweat stood cold upon my face. every
muscle gave way and quivered, only
the bonds rpDn my body kept me from
falling.
\ "Y'ain't hurt are you. dear2" were
the first words heard It was Lola
voice, very gently and tremulous.
No: you have saved me-" said.
She gave a little moan Of delight