The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1876-04-14

undressing, blew out the candle, and
awaited developments. - .3g ,ss.s
A dim light came iii at the easement,
allowing me from my position 20 see
both door and window, and kept q
close. watch of tilem., gsss af sssIs s.
The family clock, had struck three,
and had almost given up receiving a
visit, wllei, my attention was attracted
TO a closet door directly in, front of me.
IL was being sileitly opened, and. O. min
ute later the figure of man appeared.
Here was mystery that made me bali
believe that was dreaming. I had ex-
|aami1ed the closet closely, and there
were no false doors or panels in back or
sides, yet was certain the figure before
me was 10 mythical thing, grown out
of imagination, and still further, I
positively knew that Iwes wide awake.
Not the slightest noise had boon
made by the coming of the thief, and q
|breathiess stiffness prevailed. Forfaiy I
minute, and is may have been many
neither of sus moved. Yhf5ugh the
window came sufficient light TO show
that pair of eyes were bent upon the
bed where lay, as If to ascertain if It's
occupant was sleeping. ssfalszaasAa ~
Apparently becoming satisfied the
sliadowy figure cat-like moved forward.
The situation was one of more terror
than / had anticipated, and my heart
pounded as if it would break from my
breast. Perhaps if I moved, L woald
the next instant feel blade of cold steel
/ IN 011 L.:
would undo all that I had done for de-
lection. / thought of my affianced and
resolved to act. l1e alEoE .ssE8 .
had a small, single harreled pistol,
and as the object came close to the bed,
quickly leve!ed the weapon and pulled
the trigger. 1t missed fire and the bur-
glar made fer the closet again. Spring
ing from the bed, | clutelled the villain
by the throat. Twice had thrown my
adversary to the floor with all of my
power, before could get hold Of any
thing ~ the shape of weapons. I1ucki-
iy, | stumbled against a chair; seizing
this, the contest was soon brought to a
close; one crashing blow laid the inter
loper senseless upon the floor. He q
The noise brought the family to my
door, and unbolting, the landlord and
the hostler rushed in The lights which
they bore revealed sight more terrible
TO me than the suspense of a few mo,
ments before. yoay1ss9 4e
A bleeding aud apparently iifcless
form lay before us. The blow / had
given removed cap which allowed a
profusion of beautiful, long, dark tres.
70 81. n,,r
glance at the bruised ard blood-stained
face told the whole story. For mo-
ment stood paralyzed; the landlord
looked me full in the face and spoke
| my name. | only had power to utter 9
single word ELEANOR! and staggered
from the room. f
An hour was spent in wandering il
| bewildered thought. Had / killed my
| own sole idol dreaded to know The
truth, The sweet, blood-stained face
haunted me at every turn, and Twas
glad when the daylight came to drive
the phantom away.
was met at the steps of the inn by
/ the landlord, who informed me that hi
daughter wonld like to see me-.
'sThen she is not dead 2"
ssShe is not seriously injured :" wcrl
| the welcomeawoEds that fell upon ms
i ear, aud / hastened to the room Wher'
Eleanor was sitting in an armed chair
with bandage around her. fair brow
+ Upon entering was motioned to I:
seat close beside her, and taking m,
4 hand within her own she sat silent TO
a time.
! At last she spoke, ina clear collectes
voice, TELLING me tLat all was oyer now
and her happy dream of a loving ant
sinless life ended. The crimes she hat
committed had not been her yoluntar,
actions; her father had compelled her &
do the deeds; had prepared trap door
in the floors ot the closets; had PROV
ded shesmale attise Tor her to oweaT Sb
had sonly acted in obedience 20 ~ has
/ she had never been allowed to thin
could be disobeyed, She told me tha
Il I had kept my VOW to detect and pun
isll the thief, and she would ask but on
q more pledge-that of secrecy, and the
we would forget all else, or only RI
member is sas a dream. Her fathe
hoped for my, mercy, andfoDlys asked
trial as test of his pledge to Neye
4 l.violate the law again at the Silyerwine
The hostler ,swfo was an entirely II
nccent partys would keep theseeretan
retain his position.
The question Of Justice came mp an
!. for moment battled with my stricke
, heart, and, dear reader, you kno
I which conquered vowed hot TO ev,
, Idivulge the secret 50 long Is either
the guilty parties lived and Iskept
Fl viii not attempt TO describe n
I tparting with Eleanor. 1t was painful
! bitter; the poor girl moaned as II b
heart would break, and + wept asI b:
4 never done before. We never b,
agains III dared noss venture avisit
) the SilyeEWings kaialzing st0o we'll til
J. I had left the hight Of my soul the
.sI and knew her too we'll to .encouya
4 / the hope for moment chat She won
s. evererenew the trothsplight. 80 ssst q
]. Beth sbo and hef father have abs
e for long years beyond the cold river.
nf | am an olG1mana noHa, but 8tharei
s upon my heart Of hearts spot a. Gre
IA as the valley in. spring time. an irnpr