The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-05-10

Dlack, Ike his hair. L don't know why
L observed all this, OF. his eyes. small
and hid under grayish brows, that seem
ed to glance ftutrely about him, when
no one appeared to be looking. His
voice was harsh and croaking, aud had
startled me when he first addressed me.
We were used to strollers of all kinds,
as | have said. Perhaps was mentally
contrasting his responsiveness with my
fathers noble and dignifed features.
He seemed to me very ugly. Twas clad
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 out of the
great hall, where he fingered moment
or two. He had thanked. me ciyilly
enough for his breakfast, but the girls
laughed and nodded as he went out, and
said they should think had picked up
a raven. frs.e ~atst. n II. 5ar19
All that long, bright day 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 a merry time, and
told them not to hasten home, for
Thomas should come for them v ex-
pected my father and mother soon after
s O'Clock, and / told Thomas that he
might 90 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 rllmbled sui
lenly. He took the covered wagon and
old gray, and, before he stepped in, said:
'.Miss Ann, think you had better
fasten the doors, as you may be all alone
for a short time if | 90 so soon. Would
you not rather that I should wait until
your father comes?''
''Oh, no, Thomas, I don't mind being
alone in the least, and you ought to 90,
lest it should rain hard, for it is more
than two miles to ride, and they
may not wish you to leave in minute
1 expect father and mother every mo-
ment. Don't watt r.:t.,.....s, f..g
So Thomas left, and the wagon ratified
merrily up the lane. / bolted the: doors,
because he had told me to, for other
wise / would not have thought of it, 1t
grew dark rapidly, and, the thunder be-
gan to peal heavily, whilethe wind rose.
and the flashes Of lightning grew more
vivid and frequent. [ went out to the
east parlor, and looked to the south, but
the sudden lighting-up of the Sky and
the falling darkness did not interest me
long. | could not see out very well,
either, as the honeysuckles covered the
window. The large mirror reflected me
as | turned away to cross the room, and
stopped moment with natural vanity,
for / was Young, and fair enough to look
upon. % g '-F'' '.'-'-'' '-''' = = =
| letall my hair fail loose, and wound
it in nlong, shining curls over my fingers.
1t certainly. idslook handsome, for it
was very thick, and fell below my waist,
and curled almost Of itself as it fell :
There came great flash. Of lightning,
and / saw distinctly reflected in the
glass face looking IN at the window.
1t was an instant OF terror, but neither
screamedno moved p The face could
not see my face,e and I kept my body
still, and rolled the long, shining rings
off my ,,cold,, white fingers. 1t was an
l1ugly face, and |. recognized it. l had
| seen it that morning, and knew what
lay before me. / prayed inwardly a
brief prayer for help. 'N''
+ Turning from the glass, went stead
ily toward the table that stood near the
window, and on which [ had left my
candle.f moved steadily as usual, and
took up the water-pitcher and loekedin,
and then took my candle and went
toward the kitchen. The lightning kept
flashing, but the face did not come
again. 1 dropped my candle on the
kitchen hearth, and put my foot on the
wick. l set down the pitcher on the
dresser, and with soft,. light football
hastened through the west room up the
front stairs, into my fathers chamber,
and softly closed and bolted the door at
the top of the stairs. l. unlocked the
abox, took out the bags of gold, relocked
it, and made my way into the great
chamber.
| heard voices; I7heard the doors
tried below. oiI.knew' it was not my fa-
ther. l dared not tremble nor grow
faint. went through that room and
two others to the garret stairs. / hardly
breathed. I heard a window pushed up
more than one person camein at It. ]
felt about ine the dark. - Therewas q
sliding panel in the inside of the, stair
way. l pushed it,. and it rolled back. ]
entered into long closet under the
stairs, and slid the panel carefully into
its place. III Ifelt cautiously to see if all
was .safe.a Ipulled my dressselose about
me lest il might might be caught, and the doool
not closed tightly. Then | waited,
heard steps coming up the stairs.
heard a search through all the. rooms
below. My heart beat'tilEI thought thai
every bound must DE audible, heard
xoices-one voice, the Ravens. | knew
1 that harsh eroaka Ittolds me nothing,
] The face. had revesaed all to me. Tn