Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-23

The man turned rather sharply towards hi
niece.
'Lota," he said, you can CO." And. with
gesture of indescribable horror and a lingering
look OF agonizng pity at me, she staggered to her
feet.
made effort to rise and to open the door
for her, and as l didoso two springs apparently
OF iron, sprang from the legs of my chair and
clreling my ankles, pinned me to it.
Then did all my indefinite sensations crystal
NE into one maddenng realization of paralyzing
terror Lota s uncle either madman, or the
Evil One himself, and some terrible fate was
prepared for me~-perhaps for all unsuspecting
VISITORS IN the octagonal chamber of this fatefu
house. What form it took my agonized brain
had as yet refused to guess; for, save that the
neat increased every moment and that | was
prisoner in my chair, there seemed no other
instruments OF torture observable. Then all
at once saw with starting eyes that very slow.
ly, as if pushed by invisible hands. the table
was moving away from me. Horror of all hor-
rors! The floor Immediately before me was
simply great iron shutter and it was beginning
to slide back, too, leaving a chasm at my feet
and out of the chasm--Oh, Heaven above mel
there came horrible cracking of fire. and the
heat increased. Then with cry of a chained
beast-loud and awful in my own ears, | under.
stood.
The laboratory, the grey ashes in the earthen-
ware jars, the ashes of mammals, the gas which
was W leNolullOnlIe all Un1RS-WaS made from
the ashes of men and women-men and women
whom this fend in human form decoyed to the
house--and cremated!
Again and again | howled-again and again [
implored and threatened At last | was forced
to stop and throw back my head so that the
scorching heat might not reach nv face | strug.
gled with the strength of ten men, while away
in the farthest and safest corner of the room nv
host stood with folded arms watching my agony
with horrible smile.
Then once again the door opened, and Lota
forced her way in. She threw herself at his feet
and entreated for me, and even in the extremity
of my terror thrilled to notice the passion with
which she besought the monster to listen. She
cared-yes, she must care-it was something TO
perish knowing that But he took her by the
shoulders and dragged her away barking-yes
literally barking-lille dog mad with rage!
The heat was growing nsuferable, the crack
ling of the flames louder. | made one super
human effort to break my bonds, and something
soft and warm passed over my face, and a sweet
anxious voice from above me said:
I'm afraid you're not well!"
| started up and looked wildly round. A
spreading tree waved over my head and five
miles of park stretched about me on either side
The sun had worked round and was shining full
and grillingy my body, A slim girl and a
big dog regarded me anxiousy.
Pm quite well,' l said, "only I'm afraid I'm
trespassng. You see, Pm'on walking tour, and
SOu pain loOhSo 81 CSlhplluS lOI d slehll
that" And then | stopped and my heart
began to beat violently. oh / said, ''is it
really you? This is too wonderful! No, don't
say you've forgotten me?'
"Of course / haven't" she said, and delight
full blush mantled her face. Il don't usually for
get people / dance with 6ve-let me see, was it
five times"
Six" corrected, feeling as if my heart would
burst with joy. And so you really live here?"
"Yes | really live here"
with your unce?" | asked it anxiously
"No, with my father" She looked surprised.
"You must come up and be introduced to him;
and, by the way, we are giving dance tonight
| He'll ask you to stay for it,"
Don't tempt me- My gladstone has gone on
to Stuston-that's ten miles off, l said miserably
as there dress suit in t?'
"Yes, had planned to dine with old college
chum there"
She lifted her eyes demurely to mine My
blood raced deliriously through my veins,
"Of course you mustn't dsappont your old
college chum," she said, "or l was going To-
suggest--"
SPlease tell me what?" | entreated.
THAT we should motor over TO Stuston and
fetch the bag"
II consent" 1 cried blissfully, ION one con-
dition"
"And that is?'
"Ihat you give me six dances again"
And she did.