The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-11-29

lenly. He toAa he covered wagon anc
old gray, and, before he stepped it,
said
"Miss Ann, I think you hai better
fasten the doors, as you may be all alone
for short time if I go so soon. Would
you not rather that I should wait til
your father comes?"
"Oh, no, Thomas; I don't mind be-
ing alone'in the least, and you ought tc
go, lest it should rain hard, for it il
more than two miles to ride, and they
may not wish to leave in minute.
expect father and mother every moment
Don't wait"
So Thomas left, AID the wagon rat
tied merriy up the lane. I bolted the
doors because he had told me to, fol
otherwise would not have thought o.
it. It grew dark rapidly, and the thun
der began to peal heavily, while the
wind rose, and the flashes of lightning
grew more vivid and frequent. I went
to the east parlor, and looked out to the
south, but the sudden lighting up o.
the sky and the following darkness die
not interest me long. I could not SEE
out very well, either, as the honey
suckles covered the window. The large
mirror reflected me as l turned away to
cross the room, and I stopped moment
with a natural vanity, for I was young
and fair enough to look upon.
I 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 il
fell. There came great flash of light,
and l saw distinctly reflected in the
glass face looking in the window. II
was an instant of terror, but 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. It was an
ugly face, and I recognized it. I had
seen it that morning, and I knew what
lay before me. Iprayed inwardly brie1
prayer for help.
Turning from the glass, I went steadi
~ toward a table that stood near the
window, and on which had left my
candle. Imoved steadily as usual, and
took up the water pitcher and looked in
it, then took my candle and went to-
ward the kitchen. The Lightning kept
flashing, but the face did not come again.
I dropped my candle on the kitchen
hearth and put my foot on the wick. ]
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. I unlocked his box,
took out both the bags of gold, relocked
it, and made my way into the, great
chamber.
I heard voices; I heard the doors
tried below. I knew it was not my
father. I dared not tremble nor grow
faint. I went through that room and
two others to the garret stairs. hard.
ly breathed. I heard a window pushed
up; more than one person came in at it.
I felt about me in the dark. There was
sliding panel in the inside of the stair.
way. I pushed it and it rolled back. ]
entered into a long closet under the
stairs, and slid the panel carefully into
its place. I felt cautiously to see if all
was safe. pulled my dress close about
me lest it might be caught, and the door
not closed tightly. Then I waited. ]
heard steps coming up the stairs. ]
heard search through all the rooms be-
low. My heart beat till thought that
each bound must be audible, heard
voices-one voice, the Ravens. I knew
that harsh croak. 1t told me nothing.
The face had revealed all to me. The
man had seen the bag of gold as helean
ed over the wall in the morning, unno
ticed by the gay group. It was al
plain to me. He had gathered from the
girls talk that I might be alone. Ht
had returned and watched. He haG
brought accomplices. Very soon tht
steps and voices came my way. I coul6
distinguish plainly the words that wert
spoken.
"Drat her she must have seen you.
"No matter; we'll split the box oper
with this ak"
knew the Ak was in the little porch
Thomas had set it in when he had done
chopping the brush, as it looked like
rain.
I heard the steps and voices move
away, a dull, crashing sound, and theI
stihed, angry tones. I knew they hac
opened the box, and found nothing but
the papers. I knew they would nov
search for me. I heard them as they
looked into every room and closet, anc
came up the stairs separate. They al
met at the foot of the garret stairs. a
thick board was between us. I thanked
God that the panel was close shut.
knew it, for no ray of light came
through.
"She must be up here" said thu
Raven, "and we'll soon have her."
"I'll warrant she is here, and II
wiring her neck if she makes nois'
about it."
But the thorough search was ended
and the voices grew very angry and full
OF frightful oaths and threatenings
They sat down on the garret stairs t.
hold parlel. A spider ran across m,
face. A spider puts me in mortal fear
It was with great effort that I KEEP
from screaming.
"Come," croaked the Raven, "let u
20 and get the silver that will be some
thing that will be something"
course the silver. It's the gold Nv
come for, and I'll burn the house if
don't fiud the girl! So let her lool
outl"
A cold Precipitation came on my fore
head. Would they perform their threat
"Goodl Then the rats will squeak
Down drop the money bags, ant
we'll choke the girl to make her dumb.
"Hold your noise. The old man vii
be coming home. Wellbe caught here
Be quick"
"Who cares for him He's only one
4 bludgeon will give him handy littl
headache rs he comes in.
"And his wifei"
They spoke low, hideous words tina
made my flesh creep. I almost wa
ready to call aloud, to open the panel
to give them the gold, and bid them go
They got up, and the steps and voice
went down. It was horrible there i
the dark. I was sitting. I moved th
panel slightly. No light entered.
slid it softly back. My resolution wa
taken. would get out OF the house
run down the road, and meet my father
would save him. I left the gold il
the closet, shutting it in close. =! stol