Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-09-19
CHAPTER NJ,

CHAI Ell Al.
That sound warned me that the end
was near. Not content with taking the
diamond, the scoundrel intended to
have my life-to remove the pessi"
bility, if possibility existed, of being
identified as the thief by me.
He set about his work with devllish
clrcumspection. l heard the metal
rings clink as he took up the fallen
curtain from the floor. and folded 1t,
and the bed creak as 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
n butcher does who has beast to
slaughter,
A thousand thoughts whirled
through my mind in that brief space,
felt his hand firmly grasp my left
shoulder, for then I realized that l
was on the very brink of eternity.
A feeling of regret for the i'll use /
had made Of many days-for the loss
of Edith, and the world which she had
filled with joy and hope; 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 1t 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
thcr.
He pulled the knife out and tried
again. but this time the blade scarcely
puncturcd my skin.
Then, seeing that the thickness of
the doubled curtain was too great an
impcdiment, he unfolded 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 harbarous refinement Of cruelty, !
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.
Lin knew | must exhaust my strength
in 4 few minutes and would not risk
breaking his knife or getting smeared
with my blood as I writhed.
And presently my force gave out,
and, all hope leaving me, l ceased to
when lie 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 l felt his grasp relax
nay, his fingers trcmble as they lay
on rly shoulder
There was an interval of a minute,
and the door handle turned again.
then voice, that l recognized as Lo
las, spoke in low tone outside.
"Are You there-you" A moments
pause, and she added-"You amt sick,
are you?"
She had come to my door end heard
me writhing against the post.
What would the rascal DO now? His
hand still trembled. 1t gave me cour
age, for it showed that he feared dis.
covery, and l knew he would not
risk his own neck for the mere pleas
IRE of killing me. l put out my
strength again, making the bedpost
snap under my strain.
"Shall / sing out?" Lola asked, a
little louder, and with an accent of
alarm.
The hand slipped from my shoulder
and down my arm Cs the villain
stepped from the bed. His position
was getting more perilous. II LoIa
"sang out" there would be little chance
Of his making off with the diamond.
l had loosened the towel that bound
my head and gagged me. I wriggled
about furiously, worked the folds out
Of my mouth, and got my chin above
1t, breathing freely for the first time
since had been tied up. At the same
moment l heard the key turn in the
door, and l knew that the murderer
intended to let Lola in and silence
her.
"Takc care, take carew l shouted as
loudly as the towel that still covered
my face would permit.
Another wrigglc, and I felt that the
upper part of my face was uncovered.
Moreover. / distinguished 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 I have mar
rated.
l almost fancied 1 saw the silhouette
of a mans figure against the gray.
ness. 1t moved, and 1 was sure tnat
my eyes were not deceiyed; 1t dis.
appeared, and almost Immediately