The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-06-30

head and face reflected in the glass, and
glaring at me with fierce yet weary eyes.
Ihe man was mulatto, very dark, with
evil passions written in every linament.--
L could scarcely refrain from shuddering
at the sight of his hateful visage, and
speedily closed my eyes to shut it out.
was not yet quite ready for the ordeal
/ through which | knew l must soon pass.
wanted to move my light-st little
out OF the way, and to so arrange the bed>
clothes that could spring from the bed
without impeachment l therefore gave
little sigh, and moved as if about 10 wake,
shghtly opening my eyes at the same
time. Ihe head and the hand disap-
peared then composedIy made the de-
sired changes in the position of the stand
and the arrangement of the clothes, put
my watch with the key of the safe under
my pillow-so near the edge that they
could be easily taken out, as knew they
would be-extinguished one of my cam
dies, said my prayers, and, closing my
eyes, resigned myself TO my fate, with no
very sanguine or definite hope of extrac-
ton from my perilous position
made my breathing regular, and
little louder than when was awake, and
lay with my cheek on my hand, counter
teltng sleep. At last the stiffness became
more terrible than even my first agony of
fear. Several times fancied that heard
soft step approach from the place of
concealment. As often was deceived.
Then again that dreadful stiffness, in
which / counted the ticking of the watch
through the pillow! 1t was positive re-
lief when he came out from behind the
curtain, stopped at the table, and stood
looking at me, as was we'll aware, tho
my eyes were closed. | forced myself to
breathe regularly and audibly. He came
closer !; he bent over me. He passed the
lighted candle slowly before my face two
or three times felt the heat and saw
the light through my closed lids, which
must have quivered, though he did not
seem to observe their motion. Heaven
gave me strength not to move or cry out
Salts fed. apparently, he put back the
candlestick on the stand, and his hand
crept softly and slowly under the pillow,
and, one by one, he removed my watch
and the key of the safe He stood so
long looking at me that felt impelIed to
open my eyes suddenly upon him.
As he walked softly toward the safe
did partly open them, and cautiously
watched him through my eyelashes. l
heard him fumbling with the lock, and
once he looked over toward the bed. MY
eyes were wide open, but closed them in
time not to be detected. Watching him
stealthily, l saw him open the door of the
safe, go back to the stand for the candle
and return TO the safe, which he entered
without Withdrawing the key from the
lock-
Here was the opportunity for which l
had waited and watched. | sprang light
ly from the bed, with one bound reached
the safe, dashed the door to, turned the
key, and with one long and loud shrek
fell PROSTATE and senseless on the floor of
tho dark room. How long lay upon
the Hoor. do not know-probably for a
few minutes only-but, as | was uncon-
scious, it seemed, when came to myself,
as if the interval had been long one
was aroused by his blows upon the iron
door, and found myself weak after the
long nervous tension, but still calm. |
remember the satisfaction with which l
thought, while | lay there before rising,
that he could not escape, mingled with
vague and foolish dread that he might in
bis rage burn the valuable contents of the
safe. He pounded desperately at the
door, and swore fearfully at finding him
self entrapped. But, as l took no notice
of his outcries, he soon grew quiet.
Presently rose, and, lighting can
die, dressed myself with all possible haste
and with trembling fingers, turning often
to look at the safe, from under the closed
door of which more than half expected
to see blood tricklins-why, l cannot
tell, except that my mind was full of i'm
ages of horror. l was soon in readiness.
had no means of acertalning the time,
as he had my watch in his pocket, and
there was no clock in the room. Taking
the candle 1 hastened to arouse Dinah,
who, as | shook her, slowly opened her
eyes, and with scarcely any more than
her usual slowness pronounced her for
mula: 'tWell, Miss Lille, what shall /
fly to-Lord massy! what's de matter
wild de chile q You amt seen a ghost
have you, honey!"
mo, Dlnan Out We seen something
worse than ghost. I've caught a rob-
Der, and he's in the safe. What time Is
it ?" and looking at the clock, that ticked
slowly and deliberately-as how could
Dinah's clock help doing ?--I saw to my
great relief that it was near midnight.
We had scarcely got down stairs when
heard the sound of wheels. A moment
, more, and my husband was in my arms,
listening with amazement to rapid mar
, rative Of my singular adventure. would
not suffer him to open the safe until Silas
: had summoned assistance from the neigh
boring houses. l feared that my desper.
ate prisoner might still escape. When
3 the safe was opened. there sat my burglar