The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1872-08-15

slight vestiges remained Of its for
NOR purity. The street door was in
the middle, with large, square room
on either side, and chambers OF cor.
responding Dimensions above.
As we drove up, man appeared
at the door, holding in his hand q
lantern. He seemed to be about fifty
years Of age, and his burly figure
was clothed in the manner of an or.
dinary farmer.
In a cultural tone, he called out
"Good evening, Mr.. Joe -
And then holding up the lantern,
ir order to SEQ moro distinctly who
composed the rest of the party, OK
claimed
"Nhat ye hant brought my gal
home sick, hev YET"
Before the person addressed had n
chance to reply, Miss Ada said
"Oh, no, father had little fall,
and am somewhat lame, that is all.
BY the time we had assisted her to
alight woman, whom shde grocte
as mother" came, all in a furry, to
know what was tho matter.
After making tho necessary expla-
nations, Miss Ada presented mo to
her parents i'll her own graceful way;
and amid their anxiety for her, and
their gratitude to me, l noticed moth
ing in the least calculated to awaken
any doubts rs to their sincerity
T confess, however, that ! was sur
prised to meet such rough, ,tnculti-
vated people rs the parents of my
divinity, but then / reflected, some
times doting parents, conscious of
their own need of culture, will lavish
upon their childred every possible
advantage.
Having seen my charge safely
within her home, / turned to the
man who had brought us. hither, for
the purpose of engaging his services
in driving me to u hotel but they
all assured me there was none within
distance of seven miles, and it was
already ton O'Clock. l could do no
better, it seemed, than to avail my
self of their urgent invitation to stop
where 1 was till morning.
/ sat down in the neat though
plainly-furnishcd sitting room, and
glanced around mo.
A we1l.worn wooden carpet covered
the floor cane.seated chairs ranged
against the walls y chintz covered
lounge 10 one corner. table with
a few books, and bright wood fire,
completed tho piciure--hardly in
keeping, | thought, with the rich at
tire Of the daughter Of people who
could not afford moro luxurious
home
II was not case; for, new that
was alone !or short time, and re-
nGy.i from my charmer's inmedi.
ate presence, | could not hul p think
ing that | had acted very unwiselv,
to say tho least. But | was not long
lett to my meditations.
My host soon appeared, and invi.
ted me to walk into the adjoining
room and have some supper, de.
clined, and remained firm, even thou
he urged. | had taken lunch at one
of tho railroad stations at which we
had stopped, and did not desire any.
thing more.
Ho seemed disappointed; could
not help thinking he was unduly so
In fact, | did not like the man 8
couutenance it wore a sort of non.
commttal expression, as il it had
been trained TO tell no tales Of heart
or brain.
lie left me with regrets that /
would have no tea, but soon returned
bearing in his hand q glass Of wine.
Surely l would not refuse that he
said, after my long journey. No.
replied, | would not and took the
glass TO raise to my lips.
As l did so glanced at tho couu.
tenance before mo, and what | read
there 10 that one instant burned it,
self into my brain.
The wine was poisoned !
In his eagerness to accomplish his
purpose, in an unguarded moment he
had permitted the mask no usually
wore---a stolid expression--to fall, ano
the purpose OF his heart was revealed
Quick as thought i acted upon the
knowledge had gained 80 slightly
turning aside my head, l poured th,
liquid-not into : my mouth-insids
tho breast of my thick coat, which, b,
chance, was -battonod nearly to the
chin. ts'+rkf
! ! passed him the empty glass, and
he left me, apparently satisfied.
/ was conducted soou aftsrward. to
my bsd-chamber, 10 the second story
and directly above the room already
\ described.
II When had listened to the heavy
footsteps Of my host, as ho descended
the staircase, proceeded to exam
inc the room wherein / was expected
TO spend the night, and endesv ored IA
ffnd, IT possible, some palpable proof
TO justify my fears.