Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-09-16

hooded figure sitting in the rocking chair.
The woman's eyes looked disagreeably
black and sharp above the white band
age.
" / would work myself to death, rather
than have her here" said Ellie, going
about the house, fastening doors and win
dows, after learning that Paul had retir-
ed.
When she went 10 her chamber she
found the mastf Sultan lay on the rug
beside her bed. The dog was fond of her,
but he never had come to her room be-
fore. Being tired she made no attempt
to send him out, but let him be there
and after while, finding that she could
not sleep, she was rather glad to have
him there.
In spite Of all efforts she could not
sleep. More than she at first knew, the
appearance of the stranger had excited
her. She could not cease to think of her.
In the darkness she saw those fierce black
eyes, that bandaged face, that mysteri-
ously enveloped figure. Why had Paul
Lacy detected nothing unusual =? The
appearance Of this woman seemed TO her
most repugnant and suspicion.
Ellie's cheeks burned feeverishly in
the darkness. She heard the clock strike
twelve. A moment afterward she heard
a step, slow creeping step, in the hall.
Her head started from its pillow to listen;
the sound ceased. But her heart beat so
furiously that any inconsiderable noise
would have been drowned. But now the
house seemed quite still the darkness
was intense. Ellie strained eyes and ears,
but saw nothing, heard nothing.
1t is just nervousness" she said, af-
ter while, lying down again. IF any
thing was wrong, Sultan would bark"
Sultan did not stir, and she could not
see his bright half-opened eyes.
But sleep would not come, and Ellie
continued to hear faint unusual sounds
Something seemed to whisper in her ear,
"There is danger" Her heart beat
heavily.
Suddenly she heard, most distinctly
cautious step upon TIE stair. 1t was no
dream, no nervous fancy.
Robbers !" gasped Ellie. She start
ed up.
One entrance Of her room opened upon
the stairs-another upon chambers COM
municating with distant staircase,
whereby she could reach Paul's room.-
The step was coming steadily up as she
leaped to the floor and flew to the oppo-
site entrance.
AS she groped for the door handle she
heard the step enter the room. The door
she was trying would not open ii WdS
Lotked upon the other side. Sick with
horror, she looked over her shoulder and
seeing the gloom, tall figure noiselessy
entering the apartment. 1t turned to-
ward her. Shrek after shrek burst from
her lips.
There was growl, leap, a bulky
form flying through the darkness, a fall
and then horrible silent struggle. The
floor shook, the windows shivered in their
panels. A hollow groan, Then all was
still. Ellie, in her terror, seemed to have
lost her senses, when she heard a strong
voice calling her
Ellie !"
With three bounds, Paul Lacy, with a
light in his hand, reached the top Of the
staircase.
BY the distant locked door stood the
quivering white form OF the young girl,
and prone upon the floor, before him, lay
the dead figure Of a man, with the great
mastiff over him. Sultan gave the up
turned throat one shake and walked to
his master.
"Ellie, you are not hurt ?" were Pau
Lacy's first words.
mo-" she faltered.
I" He was robber," said Lacy, hold
ing the light to the dead face. All my
yaluabes are collected for removal in the
room below"
lie returned down stairs, Ellie and the
dog with him. In the basket upon the
table were two watches, money and table
silver. The unspoken thought in botl
minds made them turn toward the doc
of the new servant.
Paul knocked, then opened the door,
The apartment was unoccupied. The fe
male disguise was strewn about, and be
side the bed stood pair of unmistakablC
mans boots. There was a pistol case op
en- on the table, a scent of liquor in the
rom. The new servant had been q man
Paul opened the carpet bag. 1t con
tanned burglars tools, flask Of whisky
a case ofjewelry, probably stolen, and t
black mask.
"We have just escaped being murder
ed in our beds. If had not been wor
ried So for help, should have been mor'
cautious" said Paul Lacy.
go, please don't get any one more,
sobbed Ellie, even then not forgetting he
grievance. II Twill keep house for you.'
They went back to examine the deaC
man. He was dark evil-looking fel
low, with black beard upon his chin
which the bandage had concealed and
scar across his cheek. At day break hi
body was given in charge ofthe Officers
at Munroe, and proved to have been
most dangerous character.
And what did Paul Lacy do for help
In three days Ellie abundantly proved t.
him that she could manage the house