Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-12-01
VOL 81.

be had this, for L had seen him the night
before counting some out of it, and put
ting it into another bag.
Thomas brought the chaise to the door.
Fathers favorite black horse, whose coat
looked like lustrous velvet, and who step
ped SO proudly, was paving the ground I'M
patiently as he appeared. He handed in
my beautiful mother, and [ stood looking
on with childish pleasure at her beauty
and rich dress, that so became her. My
father suddenly turned to me and said,
taking his key to his iron-bound box:
run, Ann, and getme the little bag you
saw me put away last night"
was proud to be so trusted but when
[ quickly returned with it, he was already
in the chalse, and part way to the gate.
He looked out and said
IN matter now, Ann you may put it
back again, for we are going another road.
aud I will pay Harris Tomorrow. Take
care of the key, my dear, and goodbye. !"
'sGood-bye, and good time to you," [
laughingly replied, and ran back to put the
treasure in safety.
1 fastened indoors again to see them
wind down the private way that led through
our extensive grounds, and half wished l
were old enough to go with them. Hear
ing slight noise, [ turned and saw a
stranger, a figure not unusual, a man with
bundle hung on a stick.
He was leaning on the stone wall, and
apparently looking after the carriages. He
came forward in q moment, and asked if
he might sit down and rest, and if [ would
kindly give him something to eat. OF
course I said yes, and with light steps soon
had him substantial lunch Of bread and
cheese, which he came into the kitchen to
eat. Betsey and Hannah were busy. hur.-
rying to finish <their work, for they were
going out to tea and to spend the evening.
They talked gayly about their visit, paying
little attention to the stroller. who was
quietly eating. He had laid his straw hat
on the floor, and saw that his head was
bald on the top, and the thinnish hair
brushed up from behind over it.
He had prominent ears, low forehead
and large mouth, with q receding chin,
where grew stubby beard of grizzly black,
like his hair: I did not know why [ OBJ
served all this, or his eyes, small and hid
under grayish brows. that seemed to glance
furtively about him, when no one appeared
to be looking. His voice was harsh and
croaking, and had startled me when he
first addressed me.
We were used to strollers of all kinds, as
I have said. Perhaps [ was mentally con-
trasting his responsiveness with my fathers
noble and dignifed features. He seemed
to me very ugly. I was glad when he had
finished his meal and risen to go. He ask
ed permission to light his pipe, which was
readily granted. He went out directly,
passing accidentally through the dining
room and out of the great hall, where he
fingered for moment or two. He had
thanked me ciyillY enough for his break
fast, but the girls laughed and nodded as
he went out, and said they should think I
had picked up a raven.
All that long, bright day was busy and
happy in the flower garden, OR sewing, OF
reading; and when the girls left, looking
very cheerful at their half holiday, wish
ed them merry time, and told them not to
hasten home, for Thomas should come for
them. expected 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 a little
like rain. Heavy clouds were gathering in
the west, aud the thunder rumbled sullen-
ly. He took the covered wagon and old
gray, and, before he stepped in. said:
"Aliss Ann, think you had better fasten
the doors, as you may be all alone for d
short time if [ 60 so soon. Would you not
rather that I should wait till your father
comes?''
'sOh, no, Thomas; I don't mind being
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 a minute. L expect father and
mother every moment. Don't wait"
So Thomas left, and the wagon ratified
merrily up the lane. I bolted the doors
because he had told me to, for otherwise I
would not have thought Of it. 1t grew
dark rapidly, and the thunder 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 falling dark
ness did not interest me long. [ could not
see out very we'll, either, as the honey
suckles covered the windows. The large
mirror reflected me as [ turned away to
cross the room, and [ stopped moment
with d natural vanity, for was young and
fair enough to look upon.
le5 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 CURED almost Of itself as it fell.
There came a great flash of lightning, and
I saw distinctly reflected in the glass a
face looking in at the window. 1t was an
instant of terror, but I 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 an ugly face, and recog-
nized it. had seen it that morning, and
knew what lay before me. [ prayed in
wardly brief prayer for help.
Turning from the glass, went steadily
toward table that stood near the window,
and on which [ had left my candle. I
moved steadily as usual, and took up the
water pitcher and looked in, then took
my candle and went towards the kitchen.
The lightning kept flashing, but the face
did not come again. [ dropped my candle