The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-08-02

placed boxes containing papers and other
valuables. Opposite the foot Of the bed
stead, between the windows, was mir
ror, running from the floor almost to the
ceiling. Like all other furniture in the
room, it was old and handsome How
many happy scenes it had reflected in the
hundred years it had stood there
The night was exceedingly hot, and |
therefore left the windows open, though
| drew the curtains before seated my
self at the table in the centre of the
room. lighted the candles and began to
read in order to pass away the heavy time
before the return Of my husband.
After a while, heard the clock strike
nine at which hour Dinah always went
to bed. Her chamber was in the attic,
the third story Of the house Remem-
bering some household matter about
which wished to speak to her, | started
hurriedly up. and went into the entry to
intercept her before she got up stairs -
| had to wait about a minute before she
came, and our co!loquy continued three
or four minutes more.
When | returned to my bedroom,
feeling somewhat tired, | resolved to 90
bed as, at that late hour in the country,
it was quite certain that no visitors would
call and my husband could let himself
in with the latch key which he always
carried. | thought, however, l would
try to keep awake by reading, and ac-
cordingly placed light stand and the
candles at the head Of my bed. | then
closed and fastened the windows, undress-
ed, and got into bed. The key Of the
safe placed as usual, under MY pillow.
After reading perhaps an hour. grew
weary Of the book and, quietly laying it
down, remained for some time meditating
with my eyes fixed upon the mirror op-
positc the foot Of the bed in which |
could see myself reflected, together with
the yellow silk curtains behind my head.
| was thinking, not unnaturaliy, how
pretty looked, and how happy [ was,
with such loving husband and 50 fine a
sum of money secured in our safe, when
suddenly | saw in the mirror sight that
made my heart stand still a hand APP
peared between the curtains, drawing
them slowly apart, and grasping cautious
ly the head board. 1t was mans hand,
large course and dark, as if belonging to
.mulatto; or to one greatly tanned by eX-
posure to the weather.
My first impulse was to start from the
bed and scream for help. reprcssed it by
a strong effort Of will. and lay perfectly
motonless, except that | partially closed
my eyes, keeping them only sufficiently
opeu to watch the mirror. As quick as
lightning my mind took in the situation
In the few minutes Of my absence from
the room. while taking to Dinah in the
entry, thief had stolen in by the piazza
windows, and had hidden himself either
under the bed or behind its drapod head
He was doubtless armed and if cried
out, and attempted to escape from the
room, he could easily reach the door be
fore could. And for his own security
would probably put me to DEATH Dinah
was too distant, and too feeble and clum
: sy to afford me any assistance, and beside
was by this time fast asleep in the thirC
story. The man doubtless knew that NY
} husband had that day received large
sum of money, and had gone across the
river leaving me alone in the house
He had entered, caring only for the mon
ey, and anxious above all things to es
, cape undetected and unrecognzed. If
| let him know that | was aware of hi
J. presence, should expose myself to mur
der, and perhaps to outrage worse thar
murder. My obvious policy was to keeT
quiet and to feign sleep. thought alsc
; of the money, and was not altogether
5 willing to resign that without an effort t,
- save it, and to have at least some clew t,
the identity of the thief. / confess
. however, that this last consd Grafton wa
/ not very strong one, and am afraid tina
: if could have seen my way clear to al
+. escape from the room and the house,
! should have fled incontinently, wthou
$ stopping to see more than that terribl
4 hand.
t A moment which seemed an hour
: passed while these thoughts rushc,
o through my mind. lay perfectly still
: with my eyes half closed, watching th