Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-11-11

mentally contrasting his responsiveness
with my fathers noble and dignihed
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 ont of the great hall, where he lin
gered for a moment or two. He had
thanked me civilly enough for his break
fast, but the girls laughed and nodded
as he went out, and said they should
think l had picked up raven.
All that long, bright day l was busy
and happy in the flower garden, or sew
ing, or reading and when the girls left,
looking very cheerful at their half holi-
day, wished them merry time, and
told th m not to hasten home, for
Thomas should come for them. I ex-
pected my father and mother soon after
eight o'clock, and told Thomas that he
might go about that time, as they would
soon be home, and it looked 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
miss Ann, 1 think you had better
fasten the doors, as you may be all alone
for short time if go so soon. Would
you not rather that I should wait till
your father comes?"
"Oh, no, Thomas; 1 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 minute.
expect father and mother every moment.
Don't wait"
SO Thomas left, and the wagon rat
tied merrily up the lane. I bolted the
doors because he had told me to, for
other wise I would not have thought OF
it. 1t 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. went
to the east parlor, and looked out to the
south, but the sudden lighting up Of
the sky and the following darkness did
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 natural vanity, for l was young
and fair enough to look upon.
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. i
was an instant of terror, but neither
screamed nor moved. The face could
not see my face, and kept my body
still, and rolled the long, shining rings
off my cold, white fingers. 1t was a,
ugly face, and I recognized it. I hat
seen it that morning, and I knew wha
lay before me. I Iprayed inwardly brie
prayer for help.
Turning from the glass, went steadi
ly toward table that stood near tn,
window, and on which I had left M,
candle. / moved steadily as usual, ant
took up the water pitcher and looked il
it, then took my candle and went to
ward the kitchen. The lightning KEEP
flashing, but the face did not come again
l dropped my candle ON the kitchel
hearth and put my foot on the wick.
set down the pitcher on the dresser
and with soft, light football hastene'
through the west room up the from
stairs, into my fathers chamber, an
softly closed and bolted the door at tb
head of the stairs. unlocked his boz
took out both the bags of gold, relocke
it, and made my way into the grea
chamber.
I heard voices; I heard the door
tried below. l knew it was not m
father. I dared not tremble nor gro'
faint. I went through that room an
two others to the garret stairs. 1 hare
ly breathed. heard window pushe
up; more than one person came in at il
felt about me in the dark. There wa
sliding panel in the inside of the stai
way. I pushed it and it rolled back.
entered into a long closet under th
stairs, and slid the panel carefully ini
its place. 1 felt cautiously to see if a
was safe. ! pulled my dress close aboI
me lest it might be caught, and the doc
: not closed tightly. Then I waited.
!, heard steps coming up the stairs.
heard a search through all the rooms b
, low. My heart beat till I thought thi
each bound must be audible, hear
voices-one voice, the Ravens. I kne
J that harsh croak. 1t told me nothin,
} The face had revealed all to me. I'll
man had seen the bag of gold as helea
{ ed over the wall in the morning, unn
r ticed by the gay group. 1t was {
plain to me. He had gathered from Il
girls talk that I might be alone. F
had returned and watched. He h,
brought accomplices. Very soon Il
, steps and voices came my way. I cou
distinguish plainly the words that we
4 spoken.
l "Drat her she must have seen you
I Ono matter; we'll split the box op'
a with this ak"
4 knew the ak was in the little pore
I, Thomas had set it in when he had do
chopping the brush, as it looked Ii
d rain.
!. I heard the steps and voices mo
d away, dull, crashing sound, and tn
d stifed, angry tones. 1 knew they b
o opened the box, and found nothing
b the papers. I knew they would nj
ii search for me. I heard them as th
% looked into every room and closet, a
y came up the stairs separate. They
% met at the foot of the garret stairs.
& thick board was between us. thank
3. God that the panel was close shut.
= knew it, for no ray of light Cal
10 through.
is "She must be up here" said
1T Raven, "and we'll soon have her."
le "I'll warrant she is here, and
ID wiring her neck if she makes o no
about it.