Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-06-17
What / Saw From Ny Window.

NOV = pdW lIUu NY WlnQOW,
Il was a strange scene-and vet there wa.
nothing startling about it. / could not tell why
my eyes were riveted to the spot. Probably, /
said TO myself, IL can only be accounted for BY
some occult psychological reason, and will
simply watch, and endeavor not to wonder. Ny
library Is situated in the third-stOry Darkroom
OF an Ordinary-built-house in he neighbOrhOOd
OF the Heights, and Ii is here / spend hour after
hour hour IN the work and study-.ometimes, as the
dow with my book or writing, and-semi-Occa-
Gonally glancing st the backs Of the houses oppO-
ways been an object OF interest u me ever since
moved into the neighborhood, on account OF
an old gentleman who was 20 be seen in his Ii
brary at almost any hour of the day. He seemed
30 be an indefstigable worker, and was generally
At his post long before was This old gentle
man grew TO be very entertaining TO me, and
came IN miss him very much when for any rea-
Bon he was absent from the library. The time
above alluded TO was early in the evening in the
latter part of February. My neighbOr had gone
from bookcase TO bookcase, and drawer To
drawer, arranging and putting away, and at last
noticed or thought saw him lock the drawers
Of bis desk and put the key in his pocket. Soon
after heard the ring Of their tea-bell, and
watched the old gentleman walk out OF the
could not withdraw my gaze? There was moth
ing particularly inviting about the apartment
now that its occupants had gone, but still could
dimly, and could Just make ont the different
articles OF furniture assisted little by the light
Of very pleasant grste-fre. As 1 watched, a
u
the right. A cold, nervous tremOr took full pos
session of me Not that felt there was ANYTHING
upSrnatural about the vision: l knew better
for Immediately recognized the form and dress
OF a lady had noticed in the garden only an
hour OF two before; but did know that her pres
ence in that room AT that particular time meant
mischief and was unutteTable. knew that her
feet made 10 noise as she moved hastily about.
going over exactly the same ground that the old
gentle man had travelled only few moments
previous.
Drawer after drawer she ransacked-Iiftfng
lids, examining pigeOn-hOles; and finally, after
second spent in looking over the contents of The
old gentlemaD's desk. saw her grasp what ar-
PeaTed to me 10 be a small box or caskct, close
and lock the drawer and then waving her hands
alOft. with a singularly triumphant gesture
hurry from the room. That this Young woman
had been guilty of theft was perfectly aware;
also, felt sure that she was some near relative
OF the proprietor of the mansion; and more than
all did realize that the fearful CONSEQUENCES of
formerly highly esteemed member of the house
hold How did L know this? Perhaps 1 rea-
sOned from cause and effect without really being
aV are that such was the case. Perhaps. having
been let 10 see this strange performance, L was
peculiarly acted upon 10 the result. How
ever that might be, il seemed that the troubled
typed upon my heart After a while the old
gentle man entered the library, followed by an
elderly lady took to be his wife; then young
gentleman had Oten noticed him before-and
last OF all the lady in white, with wide scarlet
sash and neck-ribbOn- Soon after a young wO-
man, whom had also often seen in the garden,
apparently the gOVerness, as she always had a
curly-headed little boy BY her side, entered,
leading the urchin: Tor the sole purpose, il
The old gentleman took him in his arms and
earessed him for while, and after a short frOiic
with each one he wAs led or by his gOverness
Then the young gentleman drew down the
shades, and saw no more that night II was
some time before / could sufficiently Danish the
occurrence To sleep, and the first thought upon
waking the NEXT morning was the strange scene
Of the previous evening. Ny first glance at nv
neighbOr's library was sufficient TO assure me
that the theft was discovered The old gentle
man, with his hands clasped behind him, paced
slowly up and down the apartment His wife,
assisted by the young woman who had ran
sacked every nook and corner the night before
went through the farce of examination. The
Old man was evidently too grieved and stunned
to join in the search During the forenoon the
young gOverness entered, having TO all appear
ance been sent for, for the purpose OF question
ing. For moment she stood, it appeared ID
me, in silent wOndeTment: then advanced
quickly Do the centre or the room and confronted
the old gentleman. The little boy ran into the
library, AID caught her by the hand. The oS-
ner of the white rObe-this morning she
dressed in "A white mel mo wrapper, faced with
cherry, and cherry tTimmings-arOse from her
chair by the library table, and with an inPg-
TiOus gesture, perfectly observable from my dis
tanee, even drew the child away from the side Of
bis companion. Then the poor girl hid her face
ia her handkerchief, and LETT the room. It was
plain then as the sun at midday. The g0UeHseSs
he'd been Gccusef of the lbsjt.
What was nv duty in the premises? When
took into consideration that had not hcari
word spoken, did not even know what had been
stolen, and had only the pictures Of the different
scenes % rely on for proof, my position was
very peculiar one 10 say lhe least
IL was certainly a very delicate business to
call az that strange house, and describe 10 the
proprietor what had seen. Ali day long won
dered what course il was best 70 pursue-all the
while 81 utterly uncomfortable that work OF any
description was quite oct Of the question just
AZ evening was summoned 70 the ParlOT to
meet gentleman friend. / noticed imme-
diately that he was I'm great agitation.
- I called" said he, Gin behalf OF young lady
He.F- 10
neither relatives OF acquaintance in the city.
Can yOu-vill you give her shelter for a few
days until this storm Of abuse blows over, and
she can again hold up her poor head?''
Ny thoughts Immediately few 70 the house or
my neighbOr, and asked" Does she live over
the victim OF 4 terrible aceusatiOnq Charged
with stealing, isn't she?"
"Good Heavensl yes !" he replied. How did
you know? hadn't the slightest idea that it
had got TO be common talk. am afraidit will
hill herr"
al have not heard syllable" 1 answered;
and kSosc she 10 innocent, and perhaps, my boy,
i can help prove e."
"GOd grant it," said no ferventIy, But bow
did you suspect? Who could have hintod at
such a thing?"
al tell you again that have not heard word
no one has limited. Go for your friend, and 1
will Go all that lies in my power 10 comfort and
An hour after Miss Haztings-f0r that was the
name OF the gOverneSs-Sat IN my room, tho
most AFFECT picture Of misery ever looked upon
In my life. Her eyes were swollen with weep
ing; and when welcomed her to my home, and
assured her Of sympathy and love, q seemed as
II the chiid's heart would break.
oh" she sObbod, " i had such q pleasant
home until abe came. Old MT. Demming was 50
kind o. me, and 20 thoughtful OF me; and Mn.
Denming, too, did everything In the world that
woman could DO for nv comfort; and then, my
% think they all think me a thief and / have
loved them sol hereiful Father, how could
they"
BY degrees Isueeeeded in getting at the whole
story.
Little Erred was Dir. Demming's grandson,
and little fred's papa Uas vidower, and Mis-
Hastings Wa emPsoyed 20 take exclusive charge
Of the Widower's little son.
"Bu, who 10 shsS' asked with shudder.