Anxious to relieve his mind,
Stays she still within the room;
Then says, "Man, what would you find?
I to serve you am inclined."
"Where met that girl her doom?"
Now she needs no other clue;
Says, "You'll see the place from here.
Fouler deed I never knew;
Was she anything to you?
Come, tell me without fear."
"Was my sister, that was all;"
Soft he said, then paid his bill.
Something seemed on him to call;
Speedily away he stole,
But not with ready will.
Radiant Sol is sinking low,
And Night coming on apace;
Roofs in the setting sunbeams glow,
And his purple tints they show,
Till he has run his race.
At this time does Markham sit
In that lonely, dirty room;
Heeds not how the shadows flit,
Asks not if such place be fit
To drive away his gloom.
Felt he quite constrained to see
That house, where his sister dwelt,
And refresh his memory,
Thinking what she used to be,
When he so happy felt.
Now he tries to realize
Scenes that harrow up his soul.
While, successfully, he tries,
Fancies he can hear her cries!
This does his heart appal.
Thus engaged, he quickly hears
Soft steps coming to the door!
This does not arouse his fears;
Strong his nerves, it now appears,
As ere they were before.
Timid hand has lift the latch;
One more man is now within.
Very soon he strikes a match;
Candle's lit! Can Markham catch
Those features—dark with sin?
Soon. But what a sight to see;
Eyeballs from their sockets start!
Trembles he convulsively;
Should he try he could not flee;
He's struck, as by a dart!