Year: 1861

the man into whose power she had so strangely fallen. For the present, however she must b, still very still she must make no movement t. betray herself; and perhaps he might everlool her presence until daylight came, and with it pos sible help. The night must be far spent sh, must wait and hope. She had not to wait long. The creature nov ed again-stood upright staggered towards tn, bed. For one moment-one dreadful momen -she saw his face, his pale pinched features, hi flashing eyes, his black bristling hair but, thanl God he did not see her. She shrunk behint the curtains; he advanced to the bed slowly, hes itatingly, and the clanking sound of the broker chains fell menacingly on her ear. He laid hi hands upon the curtains, and for few moment fumbled to find the opening. The moment ened senses she found that the other side o the bed was not set so close against the wall bu that she could pass between. Into the marrow space beyond she contrived to slip noiselessly. She had barely accomplished the difficult feat and sheltered herself behind the curtains, wher the creature flung itself on the bed, and drawing the bed-clothes around him, uttered sound more like the whinnying of horse than the laugh O a human being.

 Fer some little time, Miss Sterling stood il her narrow hiding place, trembling with cold anl terror, fearful lest some unguarded moveme en should betray her, and bring down on her fate she dared not contemplate. She lifted up hel heart in prayer for courage, and when her com posture had in some degree returned, it occurred to her that if she could but reach the window she might from that position, possibly, attract the attention of some passer-by and be released from her terrible durance

 Very cautiously she attempted the perilouS experiment; her bare feet moved noiselessly across the floor, and friendly ray of moonlight guided her safely towards the window. As she put out her hands towards the curtains, her heart gave fresh bound of terror, for it came in con tact with something soft and warm. At length however, she remembered that she had flung down her fur cloak in that spot, and it was mercy to find it now, when she was chilled tc the bone. She wrapped it around her and reached the window without further adventure or any alarm from the occupant of the bed, whose heavy regular breathing, gave assurance that he and she greatly needed it. The lookout from the window was anything but inspiring. The stars still shone beautifully on the sleeping earth the moon still showed her pallid visage not a sight or sound presaged dawn; and after long listening in vain for any sign of life in the outer world, she heard the stable clock strike four

 Only four!

 She felt as if it was impossible to survive an other hour of terror such as she had just passed through. Was there no hope? None.

 She tried to support herself against the window frame, but her first touch caused it to shake and creak in manner that seemed te her startlingly loud she funcied that the creature moved un- easily on it's bed at the sound. Drops of agony fell from her brow as minute after minute wore heavily on; ever and anon a rustic of the bed clothes, or slight clank of the manacled hands, sent renewed chill te her heart.

 The clock struck five.

 Still all without was silent. Suddenly man g whistle was heard in the court, aud the driver of the mail-coach lantern in hand, crossed the yard towards the pavilion. Would to God she could call to him, or in any way attract his at tention; but she dared not make the slightest sound: He looked up at the window, against which he almost brushed in passing; and the light he held flashed on Miss Sterlings crouch ing figure. He paused, loaked again, and seem- ed about to speak, when she hastily made signs to him to be silent, but seek assistance at the house. He gave her a glance of intelligence and hastened away.

 How long his absence seemed! Could he have understood her? The occupant of the bed was growing every instant more and more restless he was rising from the bed he was groping round the room. They would come too late, two late

 But 10! steps in the court t-yard-ths key turning in the lock-the door opens-then, with a yell that rang in Ellen Stirling's ear until her dying day, the creature rushed to her hiding place, dashed the slight window frame to pieces and finding himself baulked of his purposed es- cape by the strength of the iron bars outside, turned like wild beast, on his pursuers. She was the first on whom his vengeance fell. He clasped her throat his face was close to hers /; his gittering eyes were glaring at her in frenzy when blow from behind felled him.

 She awoke from long swoon to find herself safe in Mrs. Atherton's dressing-room, and to hear that no one was hurt but the poor maniac, and that he was again in the charge of his keep CTS, from whom he had escaped few hours be- fore.

 A few hours! A lifetime, Mary! But Heav- en be thanked, it is past like wild dream

 It was not all past. One enduring effect re- maned, ever after, to imprint on Ellen Stirling's memory, and on the memories of all who knew her, the event of that long night. Such had been her suffering, anxiety and terror, that in these few hours her hair had turned as white as snow.-Household Words.