The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1907-09-26


could hear the faint, soft rubbing OF
fingers on the wall paper; 1t was
at his back, Hark! There it was
again! 1t came from back near the
stairs. With both hands outstretch'
ed. he crept forward, and felt along
the staircase, and then along the man
tie piece. He stopped and searched
in the fireplace for the frail f1gure'
lie must find her!
AT that instant there came quick
stems. the slam of the front door, and
the patter Of feet hurriedly crossing
the porch: he sprang through the door,
impeled to prevent any damage that
tle fleeing woman's malady might lead
her to bring on herself.
As well might one have pursued
willo the'wisp. The elusive figure
before him led on through paths be-
set with difficulties; the quagmire'
bog, and thicket silently, sullenly OPP
posed themselves to progress. Harsh
winds struck sudden blows. unseen
rocks tripped the Fastening feet. HIS
quarry continued her erratic course.
and he cried out in anguish as he be-
came aware. from the sound of the
breakers. that she was making for
the sea. Would he ovectake her in
time? God help him.
He broke from the woods, close TO
the shore, her slender figure, bending
against the blasts. hair and garments
whipping in the gusts, still cruelty be-
yond chance of his overtaking her!
Though hot, painting breaths scorched
his throat and nostrils, though his
heart beat against its walls with
sitting vehe1nence, his impulse to
forestall the tragedy carried him for.
ward swiftly.
But more quickly she gained the
outermost of the jagged rocks. Around
her burst the ponderous waves; o'er
her head few the cracking spray; The
Kissing foam licked at her feet. To
her. came no knowledge of the eager
hands, the hurrying feet, the breath
less cries so rapidly nearing her.
With set eyes and outstretched arms
she stepped forward into the dark
hollow of the next great wave; the
clutch of the lurking undertow snatch.
ed lHr from sight; sob of anguish
burst from the lips of the haggard,
desperate man, who stood knee-deep
in the flood, eyes strained to catch a
glimpse of the cherished FORM But
the winds beat about his head only
the harder; the waves tossed, and
reared their crests, and broke only
the more sullenly; the moon shone
down through the riffs in the clouds
only the more coldly.
He stumbled into his dismantled
hall; he sought his bedroom to ex-
change his drenched garments for
others AS he paused at the top of
the stairs, the lamp in his hand threw
welcome rays over the scene of the
wild struggle in the upper hall On
the floor lay in sad confusion many of
his wife's dresses, the door of tho
wardrobe in which they should hang.
standing wide open
AS soon as his hand touched the
Knob, 1t was evident that the door
before him was locked but he shook
1t to make sure
Standing there undecided, he for.
tunately coughed - fortunately - be
cause 1t told the woman on the other
side of the door that her night of
horror had ended. The door.key turn
ed quickly, the door was torn swiftly
open, trembling, sobbing wife clune
hungrily, closely, in her bewildered
husbands arms.
20 Jack! Jack! thought you would
never come! | should have gone mad
myself If | had not tainted when
heard her In the hall among my dress
es-and then trying my door-When
came to myself, all was so quiet
Until | heard your hand on the door
i supposed, then, that they had
come to take her back to the ASYLUM
e-Promise me, sweetheart, never
never to leave me again"
Her soft cheek was pressed against
his own; he silently lifted to his lin,
the little hand that rested in his.