Laura Brayton — page 209: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

200 LAURA BRAYTON. absence in foreign lands, intended to murder me here under my own roof, in the bed to which he | saw me retire scarcely an hour ago. There is a wit- ness, gentlemen—hear her story.” And Mr. Withers pointed to Lydia Gardner. She at once told of the sensations and impressions which caused her to leave her room above, at her fright on hearing some one approach the room, of her hasty concealment, and then of the terrible sight of the approaching assassin creeping upon his | intended victim. How until the moment when she saw the weapon uplifted she had been powerless to speak or move—then that she cried. murder as she heard what she supposed to be the death struggle. “We heard that cry!” said one of the officers. “Tt was that which drew us to the house.” | Then Mr. Withers told that he was awakened by the cry, and heard the bitter, half-choked curses of . Sharp, but all was dark, and he knew not whai was going on, or who was near until the young lady spoke. “The case is plain; murder has been intended. But who secured him? Why are those who tied and gagged him, absent? For neither of you could have done it in the dark.” And the officers looked around bewildered, and then taking the razor from. his hand, lifted Sharp into a chair. “What does this all mean?” asked one of the offi- cers, as he removed the gag from the mouth of the almost suffocated lawyer. Sharp looked wildly around ee but he did not speak. “Why did you wish to kill me, Enoch Sharp?” — asked Luke Withers. (e(@) Comicboo cS m