The Lincoln County herald., 1871-12-07
A THRILLING STORY,
BY BELLA FRENCH.

The night shadows we're beginning to
settle down upon tho earth. All day the
rain had been falling, sometimes in heavy
showers. The roses and pinks in the
garden had a sictly look, for their petals
hung low and we're heavy with water,
and with the mud which had been
splashed upon them. The clouds we're
still dark and threatening, bespeakiug q
stormy night. The little town Of Ashton
was unusually quiet. The streets were
too muddy and the weather too inclement
to entice people from their homes. Only
now and then solitary traveller was to
be seen. These, business had driven
forth; and they walked with rapid steps,
anxious to again get under shelter.
In q vine. .wreathed cottage on flower.
sprinkled lawn, the supper had been wait
ing over an hour for the master Of the
house, whose business had necessiteted
his being absent from home all day.
Mr.. Jacobs was the tax collector of the
township, and consequently could not
wait the return of pleasant weather be-
fore pursuing his journey. Therefore he
had equipped himself in his India.rub.
Der over garment in the morning, and
had gone about his business, leaving bis
wife the promise of an early return in
the evening. But the supper hour had
come and gone without his making ap-
pearancs. Mrs. Jacobs, however was
net anxious as yet. Such delays we're
too frequent to cause this one to give her
any uueasiness Of mind.
She fitted about the house, busy with
her evening duties, singing q gay song as
she went. She was bright little wo.
man, with world Of courage written in
her dark, sparkling eyes, and on the
firm, red lips.
Anon she disrobed her two little ones,
and put them to bed, and when the night
shadows turned into an lnky blackuess,
she seated herself BY the lamp and began
to sew, still leaving the supper table
spread, and the food on the stove, keep
ing warm for the return Of her husband.
But the little clock on the mantleshslf
had told the hour Of ten, before his step
was heard at the door. He came in hur.
riedly, and strobe to . seat without re-
moving his dripping outer garments, or
his muddy boots.
"Was detained. Am in an awful
hurry. Going to Winchester tonight"
diving bis hand into . pocket of his inner
coat. and glancing axiously around the
room.
ITO Winchester |" repeated his wife
in dismay. "Twenty miles in this
storm" /"
"Cau't be helped. he returned. "Bus.
mess is business you know"
He removed his hand from his pocket,
took off his hat. and brushed back his
fair hair, revealing the rather handsome
face of light complexioned, middle
aged man. He had large groy eyes, but
they wore an anxious expression and
,her glance wandered restlessly about the
apartment.
"Jsne," be said suddenly, again diving
his hand into the troublesome pocket
"do you suppose that you could take care
of large sum Of money till to morrow ?
"Why, yss," she answered, looking uE
in surprise.
II have collected five thousand dol
lars," he continued, "and it is too late tc
get it into the bank, and l do not dare te
carry 90 much with me.
"Well, you can leave it here as we'll a.
not. No one would think of my having
such sum Of money"
He drew large wallet from his pocke
and placed il in her hands.
ut belongs to the government, aud il
you let it pass from your hands I an
ruined" he commented. And he arose
as if to depart.
"You are going to eat some supper P
she queried.
mo. l have 20 time to lose. I mus
make Winchester by midnight. Good
bye. Take good care of tho money, ant
fsstcn all the doors"
He gave her hurried kiss, and th'
next moment he was gone.
But the sound of his footsteps bat
scarcely died away, before Mrs. Jacob,
began to feel a strange fear creeping owe
her. Why it was, she knew not. Sh'
had lived there seven years, and slept 10
the house many night without the door
being shut. Now they were locked ane
bolted. She could not think of going t
bed. She was too nervous for that. Sh'
was, likewise too nervous to work. Sh,
put the money in her dress pocket, and
clasping both tightly in her hands, sh'
sat very still, gazing anxiously into moth
ingness, and listening so intently tha
silence became fearful mingling Of dis
cordant sounds in her ears
An hour passed. 1t had been an az
to her.
~ am glad that l am not rich," sh'
whispered as the clock struck eleven
what q task 1t must be to watch one
goldl"
Presently she heard sound. 1t wa
not the rain, for there was perfect lul
in the storm. 1t could not be . neigh
Dor, for she lived in the outskirts of th'
village, several blocks from any one, ant