The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-06-30
SIXTEENTH VOLUME---sUMBER s2s.

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presence here, it will be the death doom of you
both" He then slipped into the alcove, and
drew back the bed to its place again in an instant
Ny husband entered Immediately afterward,
and even while he was in the room heard the
awful threat repeated once again. through the
| thick curtain behind me:
IF you do but whisper it, woman, 1 will kill
you where You lie Win you promise not to tell
him."
II will" said solemnly; II promise not TO
open my lips at all about the matter"
Frank leaned over the pillow to kiss me, and
observed how terrified looked.
''You have been frightening yourself about
robbers again, suppose, you silly child.
''Not T, Frank" returned I. as cheerfuly as
could; II have little headache" But said
with my fingers, so that he could plainly read it
in the freight, For Gods sake, hush! there is
a man behind the bed-stead y
Frank was bold as lioa, and had nerves like
iron, although he was so tender hearted and kind.
He only answered. I 4 = -.
Where is your sal volatile, dearest ?" and
went to the mantle-piece to get it. thought
he never could have understood me, he spoke
with such ccolness and unconcern, until saw
his fingers reply, as he took up the bottle, "Aii
right, don't be afraid ~ And then l was not
afraid, or at least not much; for knew / should
not be left alone for one instant; and / though,
my Frank was match for any two such men in
such case Only he had no weapon.
"He has life-preserver," said with my
fingers
'Your fire is getting rather low, Georgey,"
observed he, as he took up the poker. (Ah! he
had weapon, thenD II must leave you good
blaze to comfort you before | CO."
He poked the fire and left the poker in, with
out ever taking his eyes off me and the bed-stead.
il will just ring the bell and see whether
| Thomas has got the portmanteau ready. Mary"
continued he to the maid who answered the bell,
| 'send Thomas up" Then when she had gone
upon that errand, "By Jove, | never gave him
that key Where is it, Georgey? / have not
minute to spare. If it is in your dressing case
with the rest | shall be an age looking for it.
| Might ask YOU to get out of bed for an instant,
and show me where it isy' He said with his
fingers, jump" and l jumped, you may be
sure, quick enough, and was inside the dressing
room with the door locked, in half second
Come in, Thomas said Frank 'come in,
for Thomas was modestly hesitating at the cham
Der door. There's some blackguard got into
the house and behind my bed there. If he
makes the least resistance LII kill him with this
hot loter."
| At these words the Dcu was pusncu SLOWLY
outward and the burglar, without his Grape
mask, and with face as pale as ashes, emerged
from hic hiding place Frank knew him at once
as having been bank messenger, who had been
turned out Of his situation since the fire, on sus
picon of dishonesty.
'Oh, sir have pity upon me- cried he. Il
am an unlucky dog. If it had not been for II
snecze | should have had ten thousand pounds
in my pocket by this time"
"Oh. you came after that did you 2" said my
husband, coolly. WELL please to give up that
lifc-preserver which you have in your pocket,
before we have any more conversation"
"And did your lady tell you that, too cried
the villain, in accents of astonshmcnt, as hc do
livcrcd up the weapon 10 the man servant; "and
yet l stood by her yonder and never heard her
utter single syllable"
Il never spoke word" cried /, through the
dressing room key-hole, for | did not wish tho
man to think that had broken my OATH nor, to
say the truth, was anxious to make a deadly
| enemy of him, in case he should ever be at large
again.
Then it's judgment upon me-. exclaimed
the miserable wretch; land it's no good for me
to fight against it,
':Its not the least good" replied Frank, de-
cisvcly; 'and We 90 the police office at once.
So off went the burglar in their custody. leav-
ing n,c safe and sound after all. And now dom
YOU think there's some use in learning every
thing, even so small a thing rs the deaf aud dumb
alphabet