The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1876-06-14

Reynolds had not returned.
81 do wonder what has kept papa SO
late am afraid he will have to re-
main in the city tonight" said Kate.
REALLY, Kate, will it be safe for us
to remain in this house by ourselves 7
The lido" 20 Becoming siarmIng, said
Maud, after short pause.
Kate proposed they should 60 in the
house, as the air was becoming chilly.
They were walking along one of the
halls when Kate suddenly exclaimed, -
"Maud, wouldn't it be fun to have
an adventure tonight, or something
like that, you know, SO that hereafter,
wherever we go, we should be pointed
out as the girls who did SO and so, or
saved somebody's life,' Or"
"Hush, Kate!" interrupted Maud.
"Don't you hear somebody walking ?"
At that moment the butler ap-
preached, and, making a low bow to
his mistress, asked her permission to
60 on an excursion that was to be
given that evening. Kate thought for
few moments whether it would be
safe to allow the only man servant to
leave the premises, but at length she
said,-
swell, William, you may go; but
don't stay too late, for remember that
we are the only ones in the house."
The butler walked of, after thanking
his young mistress, and the two girls
were left alone.
An hour or two passed in which our
two heroines had been amusing them
selves in various ways; they were
about to retire when they recollected
that they had neglected to shut one of
the windows; after going in the direc-
ton of the window, which projected
out at one of the corners of the house,
Kate was about to draw in the shutter,
when she felt hand on her arm, and,
turning around, she saw Maud stand
ing beside her, pale as death, and
trembling like an aspen leaf Kate
led her to one of the sofas near by,
and seating her comfortably, besought
her to tell what was the matter.
Maud did not utter a word, but
pointed in a terrified way to the win
dow. Kate only said
MAUD, darling, l fear the night air
has been too much for you"
Still her companion said nothing, and
silence reigned for some moments.
Maud at length stirred, and then, rails
ing herself with much effort, she be-
gan speaking in a tone so unnatural
to the gentle Maud that poor Kate
could only stare around the room in a
bewildered way, and wonder what it
could all mean. At length Maud
said
"Kate, did you see him?"
"See whom, Maud?" asked Kate,
trying to appear calm.
"Why, Kate, do you mean to say
you do not know to what am allud-
ing ?" said the amazed Maud.
Kate answered her that she had not
the most remote idea what she meant,
and besought her to explain the cause
of her sudden alarm.
"Well, Kate" began Maud, speak
ing in a scarcely audible tone, "when
you went over to the window just now,
l was, as perhaps you recollect, stand
ing little aside; and as you were
about to close the shutter l distinctly
saw the form of man pass directly
under the window and hurry off in the
direction of the end room. am sure
he can have no good purpose in being
around this time of the evening"
"You are quite right, dear; he can,
as you say, have no good intention. /,
however, am not afraid, and if he is
secreted in this building he will not en-
joy his hiding place very long,"
So saying, Kate sauntered to the end |
room, followed by Maud, who was
made stronger by Hates true courage
and brave words. The room mentioned |
above was very small, devoid of furni-
ture with the exception Of very large |
chest, which stood at one corner, and |
at present was empty. Hates first |
suspicion was directed to the chest, it |
being the only place in the house where |
any one was likely to conceal them
selves. Kate and Maud stood in the
center Of the dreaded room, not daring
to utter word for fear of detection
the beating of their hearts was audible,
and Kate, who hitherto had been so
brave, stood immovable with. terror,
while Maud stood pale and trembling.
AT that instant, while the girls were
deciding what plan they had best pur-