The Russellville Democrat., 1877-04-05

turned the light full on my face; his breath famed my cheek.
 My heart beat to suffocation, and felt that if the ordeal lasted much longer, l could not control myself, and should scream or faint.
 Happily, however, the next moment the light was withdrawn, and my noe turnal visitor left the house. heard the footsteps pass along the corridor, and descend the stairs leading to the drawing room. Then it flashed upon me, though I had locked the bu- reau containing my jewelry, l had not taken away the key. I have remarked that by nature l was timid: but, at this juncture, l felt as brave as lion, and, springing from my bed, threw on my dressing gown, and went out to the head of the stairs.
 paused. A dreadful fear came over me. All was dark, and heard not 8 sound. began to descend.
 When got opposite the door of the drawing-reom, which was partially closed, I saw dim light proceeding thence. Oh my agony of fear lest the stairs should creak and betray me On reaching the door of the room, saw to my delight that the key was in the lock outside. But if I should not be successful in making this villain prisoner.
 I shuddered at the thought. How this man had got into the house could not tell. He must be friend of one of the servants, conjectured.
 My hand was upon the key of the door, when the handle with sharp click, be- trayed me.
 heard quick step across the apart ment. A moment decided me.
 must feign somnambulism.
 In another instant the door was opened, and I, with my eyes fixed wide open, entered the room.
 The thief started back with smothered exclamation of surprise. dared not look at him, but walked straight past him to the bureau, and spoke the following words disjeintedly : "I lost my key here. Where can it be?"
 The man walked over to the other end of the room, where an overcoat was hung on the back of chair, and began to search the pockets.
 I had in that moment time to regard him.
 could hardly forbear cry; for, in this room, trying to rob my mother and myself of our jewels, was Monsieur Men, ton.
 He returned to the bureau (where was still fumbling to find the key), and forced one into my hand. I then pretepae9 that 1 had found what I wanted, and, turning round, left the room.
 have often wondered since then why I did not raise the house, but. truth to tell, my movements on that night were quite mechanical; my faculties seemed to have given away under the unnatural tension to which they had been sub- jected I felt sort of stupor, and hard ly knew whether was asleep or awake I returned to my bedroom, and, looking at the key as placed it on my dressing table, saw that it was that of the front door of our house, which Mon- sieur Menton must have taken from my fathers study after we had all retired for the night.
 Then I returned to bed, leaving thief down stairs ransacking the place. Alter about a quarter of an hour I heard stealthy step ascend the stairs. I closed my eyes; and as did go my door was opened, and again I underwent another examination by the light of the lantern.
 Presently l heard my persecutor go over to the dressing-table. There was no article of jewelry there; so if that was what he wanted, he was disappoint- ed. Soon he withdrew from my room. and descended the stairs once more. I heard nothing more. cannot say I slept, but the heavy stupor which had been creeping over me deepened into complete insensibility, and I remained in that state till morning It was my habit to wake without being called by the servant, but it was late when I arose the following morning. and was in- formed by the maid that my father and mother were at breakfast. I could not wait till was dressed to tell my adven. ture, go I threw on my gown, and hur- ried to the breakfast room. lopened the door. My fathers back was turned to me, and my mother was facing me. She looked up as entered the room-looked up, yes, and with a terrific scream, rushed toward me.
 My father evidently thought, as did, that she was deranged, till he looked at me, when he in his turn uttered cry of surprise and horror. My parents both .