Year: 1860

was the greatest effort that enabled me
to keep from crying bitterly: I could
not bear to leave the old man who had
accompanied me-he seemed, in some
sort, protector, and [ sat talking to
him as late as [ could think of anything
to talk about. Then [ took my sputter
ing tallow candle, and following mine
host up a winding stairs, through seve-
raj dreary passages to cheerless-look-
ing room, which 1 was sure must be the
wing of the house. There was no car
pet on the floor, only one chair in the
room, small stand and the bed.


''The rest of the house is all torn up,
or we wouldn't put you away off here,
said my guide, "we'd just begun the fall
when this long rain came on
and put a stop to it. However you're
as safe here as can be, and I hope you'll
sleep we'll. ....s


He went away, and with him went my
last spark of courage. [ trembled with
fear, but I locked my door, put the
stand and table against it, looked under
the bed and out of the window, which
had no fastening but small wood but
ton, placed over the lower sash.


This window opened upon shed,
which, in the darkness, seemed too high
to be reached from the ground; and I
resolved to believe that it was, [ drew
the curtain, placed my candle at the foot
of the bed, hoping it would burn for. the
rest of the night-then threw myself
down without undressing, and fell asleep.


Something awakened me. What it
was [ could not tell, but it seemed like
a cold breath upon my face. I turned
my gaze at once toward the window 1t
was closed, but the bottom Of the cur
tain was outside, and the sash shut down
upon it. [ knew it had been opened
With the wild, terrified leap my heart
gave at this discovery, l saw wet foot
prints on the bare foor-a mans foot
prints-leading from the window to my
bedside, then passing on toward the
head of my couch. Listening, [ heard
some one breathing in the room, and
all my courage, | raised my
head and looked around. Quietly seated
in the only chair the room contained,
and which [ had SO carefully braced
against the door, sat Guy DeWitt-a
large knife unsheathed and lying ON his
knee, while in his hand he held the key
of my room!


at is useless to scream" he said, ad-
yancing toward me, looking as sane as
ever, save wildness in the eyes; "no
one could hear you, and, besides, | would
have plenty of time to silence you for
ever before help could reach you, even
if you could be heard.


He rose, and approached me.


''You have refused to be my wife,
Marie" he said ''and I have made vow
that you shall belong to no one else. The
fates aid me. They put me on the same
road with you-in the same stage with
you; they threw this knife in my way,
and told me to kill you. [ shall do it,
Marie-I shall do it, but not just now"
He drew my head suddenly back, and
laid the cold steel fatways against my
throat.


"Cooling to the blood, isn't it," he
said, releasing me. In an instant [ had
stilled my futtering heart, and placed
myself before him. 1 thought if I could
catch and fix his eye [ could avert the
fearful doom hanging over me. He
caught me by the wrist with grasp of
iron, and flung me on my knees before
him.


Il am not Marie, I said, imploringly;
slook at me, GUY swear to you 1 am
not Marie!'


II have knelt thus to you many times"
he said, in that deep, calm-tone, more
fearful than frenzy, and without paying
the slightest heed to my words. II
knelt in vain; but you are mine now,
Marie-mine, mine, and we will die to-
gether.. Our blood shall flow out in one
stream; our hearts shall grow cold in the
same hour, the same hour, the same
hourW


His voice rose to a shrek as he ceased
speaking; and bending down, he caught
me to his bosom and kissed me wildly


awe are dying, Marie, we are dying!
send out your last sigh on this breast, on
this heart which has worshipped you,
worshipped you!"


He caught the cleaning blade, and
aimed at my breast. At that instant l
caught his eye, and looking steadily into
it, said:


"Wait, Guy; wait. There is plenty Of
time, if we must die SO soon, let US die
like man and woman who dare look
Death in the face Let US talk awhile
of the happy days of old, Guy, before
you doubted me, before distrusted you. u


His eye softened; and leading me with
him, he began to pace up and down the
room. 1 had with me small flask of
wine which father usually carried, and a
powerful anodyne which our physician
had ordered to quiet the invalid in his
most violent paroxysms Of pain My
whole hope of life turned now upon in
ducing him to drink of the wine, which
Marie had thrust into my satchel at the
last moment. l seized a cup from the
table, and first pouring in heavy dose
of the sleeping draught, filled it partly
with wine.


'Let me see you drink to those old
times, Guy" l said, in my gentlest man
ner; ''you used to like cup from Marie's
hand; take it from her now for the last
time


"But you must join me, he answered


glancing half suspiciously at the cup.


Il will, }" I replied, trying to conceal


my trembling eagerness; "see, there il
some in the hask-drink, that may


have the cup" He seemed to doubt


me no longer, and tossing off the liquor


at draught, he held out the cup fol


me to fill for myself


l poured out a small quantity anc


drank it. "Now, Guy, let US kneel and


pray to be forgiven, for rushing thus un


hidden out of life


II will sit here he said, sitting dowr


on the side of the bed; do you kneel a


my feet, Marie, and pray for both
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