Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-11-23

riages. He came forward in a mo-
ment, and asked if he might sit down
| and rest, and if / would kindly give
him drink of beer. Beer was as free
| as water with us.
Of course I said yes, and with light
steps soon had him substantial lunch
of bread, cheese and beer, which he
came into the kitchen to eat. Betsey
and Hannah were busy, hurrying to
finish their work, for they were going
out to tea and to spend the evening.
They talked gayly about their visit,
paying little attention to the stroller,
who was quietly eating He had laid
his straw hat on the floor, and saw
that his head was bald ON the top, and
the thinnish hair brushed up from be-
hind over it. He had prominent ears,
low forehead, and large mouth with a
retreating chin, where grew a stubby
beard of grizzly black, like his hair. |
did not know why | observed all this
or his eyes, small and hid under gray
ish brOWs, that seemed to glance fur
lively about him whensno one appeared
| to be looking.
His voice was harsh and croaking,
dnd had startled me when he first ad-
aresSed me.
We were used to strollers of all
kinds, as [ have said. Perhaps l was
mentally contrasting his responsiveness
with my fathers noble and dignifed
features.
He seemed to me very ugly. [ was
glad when he had finished his meal,
and risen to GO.
He asked permission to light his
pipe, which was readily granted. He
went out directly, passing accidentally
through the dining-room and out of
the great hall, where he fingered for a
moment OF two.
He had thanked me civilly enough
for his breakfast, but the girls laughed
and nodded as he went out, and said
they should think [ had picked up a
raven.
All that long, bright day I was busy
and happy in the flower garden, or
sewing, or reading; and when the girls
left, looking very cheerful at their half
holiday, [ wished them a merry time,
and told them not to hasten home, for
Thomas should come for them.
expected my father and mother
soon after eight o'clock, and [ told
Thomas he might 60 about that time,
as they would soon be home, and it
looked a little like rain.
Heavy clouds were gathering in the
west, and the thunder rumbled sui
lenly.
He took the covered wagon and old
gray, and, before he stepped in, said
respectfully:
Miss Ann, think you had better
faSten the doors, as you may be all
alone for short time if [ go so soon.
Would not you rather that | should
wait till your father comes ?''
"Oh, no, Thomas; / don't mind be-
ing alone in the least, and you ought
to go, lest it should rain hard, for it is
more than two miles to ride, and they
may not wish to leave in a minute. [
expect father and mother every mo-
ment. Don't wait.
So Thomas left, and the wagon rat
tied merrily up the lane.
bolted the doors because he had told
me to, for otherwise | should not have
thought of it.
1t grew dark rapidly, and the thun-
der began to peal heavily, while the
wind arose and the flashes of lightning
grew MOI vivid and frequent.
/ went into the east parlor, and
looked out to the south, but the sudden
lighting up of the sky and the follow
ing darkness did not interest me long.
[ could not see out very well, either,
as the hOneySuckles covered the win
dowS
The large mirror reflected me as /
turned away to cross the room, and /
stopped moment with natural van
ity, for | was young and fair enough to
look upon.
l let all my hair fall loose, and
wound it in long, shining brown curls
over my fingers. 1t certainly did look
handsome, for it was very thick, and
fell below my waist, and curled almost
of itself as it fell.
There came great flash of light,
and | saw distinctly reflected in the
glass face looking in the window. 1t
was an instant of terror, but l neither
screamed nor moved.
The face could not see my face, and
I kept my body still, and rolled the
| long shining rings off my cold, white
fingers. 1t was an ugly face, and /
recognized it. | had seen it that
morning, and | knew what lay before
me. l prayed inwardly brief prayer
for help.
Turning from the glass, l went
steadily toward a table that stood near
that window, and ON which l had left
my candle. l moved steadily as usual,
and took up the water-pitcher and
! looked in it, then took my candle and
went toward the kitchen.
The lightning kept flashing, but the
face did not come again. dropped
my candle on the kitchen hearth and
put my foot on the wick. l set down
the pitcher on the dresser, and with
soft, light football fastened through
the west room up the front stairs, into
my fathers chamber, and softly closed
and bolted the door at the head of the
stairs. unlocked his box, took out
both the bags of gold, relocked it, and
made my way into the great chamber.
| heard voices; / heard the doors
tried below. knew it was not my
father. l dared not tremble nor grow
faint. / went through that room and
two others to the garrett stairs. I
hardly breathed. l heard a window
push up; more than one person came
in at it. / felt about me in the dark.
There was sliding panel in the inside
of the stairway. l pushed it and it
rolled back. | entered into long
closet under the stairs, and slid the
panel carefully into its place. felt
cautiously to see if all was safe.