The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-07-31

know how long time had passed; the
house must have been very quiet, for
nothing disturbed my reverie. l had
Just laid the little sleeper in her crib be-
side me, and bent over it for moment to
mark the beauty of one tiny dimpled
hard, when something startled me. 1t
was no sound, only the sudden instructive
consciousness that some one was near me.
For an instant I remained motiOnless !;
then there was a slight rustic in the room
adjoining that in which I sat, careful
step, and as turned my head toward the
half open door connecting the two apart
ments, pair of sharp grey eyes met
mine.
l do not think I started, but the effect
of that glance was like breath from the
North pole; I shivered and my hands
grew cold as ice on that bright June
sciously, surveyed the intruder stout
form coarsely clad, rough, bearded face,
an old cap pulled closely down over the
shaggy hair, and the brow knotted hand
on the door, fearfully suggestive of
strength. Oh! that neglected lock in the
hall below. Why had been SO careless!
What had become of cook and Bridget?
How could those heavy boots have
assembled the stairs without my hearing
them! What should do 1t seemed to
me that had ample time for thinking of
a hundred things in that brief minute.
"What do you want!" ! asked, trying
to steady my voice, but it did not sound
natural, even to myself.
| Don't trouble yourself, ma am. see
what came for, and can get at it with
out much bother" was the cool reply.
Little bother, indeed! The accom-
plishing of his scheme would be only too
easy.
II am not alone; I can call for help"
began, half rising as spoke; but the
knowledge that there were only cook and
Bridget to answer the call, inundated
me far more than my suggestion did him.
Its no use. You needn't be troubling
yourself, ma'am; just sit STILL" he re-
sponded, in the same guarded tone as be-
fore; and sank into nv chair again as if
the words had been most fearful menace.
| III help myself to what want, and he
disappeared from the door.
1t was relief not to see him, even
though knew he was SO near. But in a
moment the dark face was thrust forward
again, with the ominous remark: "I'n
make clean job of it, and be sure to
leave no tracks, ma'am; SO you needn't be
thinking of that"
1t seemed useless to be thinking of any
thing; but could not help my thoughts,
and remembered, with unavailing chagrin,
my watch and chain left thoughtlessly ex-
posed upon a toilet-table; roll of bills
sent me the day before, as treasurer Of a
benevolent society, dropped loosely into
a bureau drawer: and various valuable
possessions of Thaddeus' and my own
lying in temptingly convenient places.
There was little doubt that our burglari-
Gus visitor would make a clean job of
it," as he had said. heard him moving
cautiously about, rolling chair out Of
his way, and an occasional rattle of some
steel or iron implements knocking against
each other. l was sure, from the sounds,
that he had commenced in one corner
where a small secretary Of Thaddeus'
was standing. 1t was locked, but that
would make no difference. A slight noise
as of hammering and boring reached me,
and wondered grimly that he had not
demanded the keys, since he had been SO
kind as to assure me that he would ''leave
no tracks,"
Just then sudden thought made my
heart stand still in terror. What had that
vague threat meant? mo tracks!" no
clue by which he could he discovered
and brought to punishment? Was it
| probable, then, that he would depart with
his booty, leaving me unframed and free
to give information when had seen his
face so fully, and had so fair an opportu-
nifty to note dress and features? For the
first time my vague dread and alarm took
definite form as l comprehended that
something worse than robbery might be-
fall; my very life was in danger.
/ glanced about the room with the ca
gerness of desperation during these slow
moving minutes. No weapon, nothing
that could be made available as one was
in sight Even Thaddeus' revolver had
been banished from the apartment, lest
the fearful thing should fire itself off in
some unlooked-for way. All! the ground
less fears Of our hours of security, into
what real peril do they sometimes lead
us! I was defenseless, helpless. The
open window near me overlooked only
back yards; the front room, with all the
busy life of the city just below it, held the
keen eyes and murderous hands from
which sought to escape.
If could but reach the street! Only
a few yards from me there was door lead
ing to an upper hall, and once there /
might descend the stairs; but to reach it
l must pass directly by the open door of the
adjoining room, and risk detection from
its occupant. There was no other hope !;
and as the clicking and grinding of his
lawless work fell again upon my ear,
warning me that what did must be done
speedily, l rose to my feet-sl0wly, that
there might be no sound, not the faintest
rustic of my dress. / paused for an in
slant, glanced at my tiny, sleeping Bios
som, and longed to snatch her in my arms
and take her with me. But dare not less
her Weakening cry should betray my move
ment; so did what only woman would
have thought of doing at such time
stopped and kissed the little sleeper, then
ncrved myself for the effort. Cautiously,
silently, yet with my heart beating SO
loudly that it seemed as if the whole town
might hear, l made my way toward the
hall, crossed the open space before the
door without once turning my head
could not summon courage to look in that
direction, even to discover if I were
watched-and so reached the stairway.
| There was no stir, no sudden motion of
pursuit, and began to descend. Always
before had l thought those stairs firmly
| built, and the carpet that covered them
thick and soft; but that day every step
had voice of its own, and creaked and
groaned as if it were in league with the
enemy. Yet l reacneQ the street door
safely 1t was locked. The man had
evidently intended to prevent intrusion
from without, but the lock turned easily,
and in moment was on the steps, with
the outer world of hope and help all about
me. Marvelously enough, a policeman
was near at hand, and promptly obeyed
my summons. A few low words ex-
planned the case, and he fastened into the
hall. Just then Bridget appeared at the
dining-room door, but started at sight of
the officer.
keep quiet!"
His peremptory tone silenced the excla-
nation on her lips, and whispered:
"There is q burglar in the house."
"Och! the saints defind us!" muttered
Bridget, rolling up her eyes in horror.
"What'll come Of us all?"
| Rani1ly hut stealfhily the noliceman