Out of her sphere - University Library

22 OUT OF HER SPHERE.
On it came—the still, cold death creeping-
around and climbing higher still. Through
all the darkness it was the one palpable
reality. There was no fury in its approach
—it was not advancing with the roar and
the spring of a wild beast, famishing for his
prey—rather it came calmly on, its waves
lapping each other as they mounted higher
and higher, as if they were the tongues of
tigers gloating over their coming banquet,
but so sure of it that they could afford to
wait and dally with the anticipation of the
living feast. It was then only a question
of hours—now, but of minutes ;
if the tide
came calmly, it came quickly ; yet a little
and it w^ould be round her throat, forcing
itself within her hps, blinding her eyes more
horribly than even this darkness, and then
sucking her down in its embrace, and chok-
ing her life away.
Was there nothing to be done ? Must
she stand there in that madman's grasp, and