Lots of men have come in here, and never came out
again. Do you not feel afraid?"
'"I feel no alarm, my timid child. I have wandered many a day
through the aisles of this sombre wood. The boughs grow so heavy and
the trees so close as you advance, that you will find that 'dim
religious light' whereof the gifted poet writes."
'"Oh, if you are not afraid, Mr. Jonas, why should I be?" and this
poor unsuspecting dove followed the monster toward the snare.
'I will not harrow your feelings by describing the bewilderment,
horror and despair that fell upon that beautiful maid when the naked,
odious, hellish truth was put before her. The Reverend Mr. Jonas, of
course, claimed her as his prey; and no one gainsayed his right. Ah,
it was very horrible. A week later, through some means or another,
the poor girl made her escape from the den, but the old woman and
Silent Poll speedily followed. A short way from the road they
overtook her; and when the fugitive saw the wretches she screamed
murder, and appealed for help. But her cries were soon ended; for the
old woman knocked her senseless with a club; and the two together
accomplished the murder.
Pages:
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102