Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-05-11

WIN uCf nuSOanuS llAtueSS uuGSl utl
pillow, and prayer fol his quick return
liIlng even her sleeping thoughts.
II seemed to the mistress OF the house
that she had slept SO long that morning
must be near, when she awoSe with an
ineNpIicablc feeling ol trisht-a feeling
Of something or some one near her.
What is il?' she cried. starting up in
the bed, and insliGcliyely catching the
sleeping child in her arms. No answer.
Only distinct sound OF breathing, and
then a movement like 4 hand lecling
along the wGll-toward her.
She began to tremble violently; moth
ing but tue presence OF the child on her
painting bosom saved her from limiting.
"Who is ?" she cried, her voice so
shaking and hollow that it awakened
Ruth who clung 10 her sleepy and scared
This time she had an answer.
1--WE will do you no harm, a voice
spoke out Of the darkness, ,"if YOU give up
that money you've got;" and then. be-
fore Mrs. Ferguson could muster cour.
age and breath 10 speak, another voice,
out OF The room apparently, added in
rough uudeitune. land tell her to LOOK
sharp about it, too
Two OF them! 0 God help me +! she
whispered 20 herself, and Rlth began to
break into screams and sobs:
Keep that brat qIiet!" angrily NUT
tered the voice oa The landing, "and
don't keep US here i night"
Now rely. it ever woman was in
miserable plight Mrs. Ferguson was
that woman Not house nearer than
The Hollands Il full quarterof mile of
no soul near to help her. for Jane who
worked hard by day slept hard by night,
and slept. moreover, in squeer little
room at the verY top of the house; all
alone-worse than alone. utterly helpless
and a woman who confessed 10 The usual
feminine share Of cowardice.
Still. she drew her breath. and there
flashed from her heart a cIy for help;
and then Tor lew brief moments, she
thought-lhought with all her mind and
sonl was there any way Tor her out oil
thi,
Come" said tho voice in her own
room. "rm good.tempered chap enough
but my mates in hurry; don't provoke
him. Look alive. and tell us where 10
find the swag-money
She groaned and shook. and all her
limbs turned cold, as the voice drew
nearer and nearer; and at the last words
a heavy hand was laid upon the bed.
Then, further 10 torment her. came the
thought that, once this money were gone,
there would be none 10 meet the people
with-the people who had saved 1t week
by week, day by day, all the past year !!
Heavy drops ran down her shaking form !
her hands turned numb, and her lips
clammy and cold, while the beating oil
her heart was like the quick tolling oil a
bell-louder. louder, till it deafened her.
IN find way TO make her speak, "
said the second voice there's another
kid 10 the room" Then in an instant
thin streak OF light shot across the land.
ing, and the next
Mother, mother. MoTHEE!" shrieked
Rosie and at that sound Raih redoubled
her cries. and the unhappy mother
sprung up, clasping one child, mad to
protect the other.
"Sience, you fool" said the man be
side her, speaking harshiY for the first
time. You'll drive that fellow TO do
the child mischief, if you don't do as |
tell you. Keep down won't You ?" For
she was struggling to pass to get across
the room to Rosie-Rosie, whose cries
sounded strangely stiaed. "Look here,
if you don't give up this game. by the
Lord, he'll knock you on the head il |
don't" Aud clasping one wrist like q
vice, the man held her fast, while with
the other hand he turned on the light
from a small lantern slung at his side.
She lifted her eyes slowly. as fearing
whom she might see; but there was lit
tie enough visible of The bnrglar's face
a wide hat, thick, reddish beard, and
loose, rough gray coat. were oil she saw.
"Iiush, hush" she murmured 10 Ruth.
"AIoiher will send them away; don't
look at him. and she turned the baby's
face towards herself; Rosie, my darling.
your mother il coming!" But Rosie did
not answer her. 80 my God" she pant
cd, and looked up wildly.
Mate, said the eaptor, loud enough