Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-10-12
NUMBER 20.

, into NJ at once"
:" | wish we were safe there this very
night y | almost uneonsciously ejaculated
| | had scarce expressed the wish, uttered
t in a low voice, when we were both sudden
/ ly terrified by the sound of cry |: ap
peared to be at distance, but had kline
of mulfled or smothered tone Wherever
it was, it was like the last wild utteranct
of some creature in mortal anguish, anC
sounded fearfully in the stiffness of the night
Oh what's that ?" said my aunt, bound
ing up. .s
Irose from my seat too petrhed to say
word. We stood listening with blanched
faces, but not another sound or stir reached
US, and in a few moments Frisk, small
dog, gave half growl, half bark under
the window.
"Oh, there !" | said, with deep breath
of relief 81 know what it was. Frisk af
ter a rabbit, I'll engage. heard just such
cry I'm sure, the other day from one that
was more startling at this hour"
" Perhaps it was" rejoined my aunt. ii
certainly seemed to be outside but dear
it sounded so awful !"
We remained a while longer at our work,
more quieted, though still not altogether at
ease -. .-..
80 Look, Maggie" said my aunt Il want
to run up for bit of thread to finish this,
and then l think well go to bed, for de-
clare Pm in a tremor since we heard that
noise"
Yes, and must sleep with you tonight,
l said, ''lor | should be afraid to stay alone,
and your door i'll the only one in the house,
| think, that has both lock and key. | was
thinking the other day that there was not
another spot, above or below, that one can
lock themselves up in, if they required it"
You are right, child, believe" rejoin-
ed my aunt, laughing however, if we go
to NJ, it will not be worth while to get
any thing done to them at present"
/" II indeed !" | said, IN kind of soliloquy,
as she left the room.
| | don't know how long Aunt Osborne
was absent | was pondering so deeply
upon the occurrences Of the past day or two
and wondering what might be the result,
that | was not aware Of her return, and
! did not notice her coming back into the
apartment until the light of the candle fell
upon the work still held in my hand though
/ | had not put III stitch for several minu-
| ties, and | turned TO something. Shall
! | ever forget her appearance | rose from
my chair, gazing at her, transtixed with
| horror Her face was white like snow :;
even her lips wore the pallor of death, and
she trembled SO, that only | caught her
! think she would have fallen She seemed
| trying to speak, but her tongue refused to
utter an articulate word. | felt my own
face growing as ghastly as hers; took the
/ candle from her nerveess hand, and almost
/ forced her into the seat that had vacated
( For mercy's sake" | whispered, what
/ is it tell me; what have you seen ?"
reached from the table tumbler of water
! that had been left there for some medicine
that l was to take for my cold, and made
! her swallow two or three sups.
Oh Maggie :" she at last gasped out,
" It's all true-Parks," and she shook from
/ head to foot, hes above, behind my bed ::
/ It's pushed a little down from the wall
saw him first by the reflection in the look
mg-glass, and then, for fear of a mistake
| don't know how | got courage-l looked
more closely at the bed and saw him plain
ly through an opening III the back curtain,
with a knife or some sharp thing in his
hand He means to murder US most surely"
| tried, Oh my poor aants account, to nerve
myself up, though aghast at this appalling
Intelligence ...
Are you certain" askcd-and how un-
naturally hollow my whispering voice sound
ed :! 'tIfat he does not suspect you saw him?"
No. got strength at the moment, some
how, and walked quietly from the room; but
OH, Maggie, what are we to do :" .
We must" said |, bracing myself for
this fearful emergency, first of all gently
wake up Susan, and then try, all three and
get out the door and Off before he finds out
that he's discovered. Where are the keys :"
Great goodness they had been taken up,
we then remembered. as was the custom
every night and left in small basket Oh a
table in nay aunts room.
- Sure saw it there" she exclaimed,
and the table you know,is just by the oed !;
but | forgot in my fright what it was, and
all about it. Now there is no earthly hope
left we can't possibly escape from the
house the windows are barred, the doors
are locked, and the keys up close TO where
| that fearful wretch is lurking"
Il fear, indeed, dear aunt" / exclaimed,
bursting into tears and throwing my arms
round her, that our destruction is newt
able" And | shook with convulsive but
suppressed sobs. .....
Don't don't my poor darling child y
said my beloved relative soothingly, now
aroused and excited by the violence of my
emotion. Thele is One who can help US
ie the last extremity let US ask Him"
And with our arms encircliug one another
we sank upon our knees, while Aunt Os-
! borne uttered few trembling broken pc
titions, in whispered but earnest voice
! We rose strengthened and encouraged.
Better" | said, "to cali up poor Susan.
If 1t comes to last struggle, three togeth-
er might do something; you'll not be afraid
to stay here if | slip down to her :"
- No, dear" she answered "you know
he has 40 idea that we suspect any thing,
and he'll be quiet for while
| | stole softly out, and down the stairs to
the basement the room which the house
! maid occupied, and the cook with her when
she was at home, was in a remote part Of
the house, of passage at the other side
Of the kitchen while the mans apartment
was at the opposite extreme end Of the low
Ell story. passed quickly on and opening
the door, called out in low tone, Susan
SUSAN" There was 10 reply, Going W
to the bed, she has covered herself up ii
the quilt" | muttered poor thing, she wa.
ie.f,t / ii q, ~ Il.