Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-01-17

S O'Clock 1t was gay party. We haC
dancing, which we did not alway:
have, and the music and supper wer,
good. l danced with Steve several
times, and being in good spirits, found
it rather difficult to maintain the dis
tance l had lately adopted towards him
His eyes too, had such soft, tender
light in them, and his lips such bright
ness. -
''Come into the garden minute
Bell, he whispered 10 me at the close
of dance; 81 have something to say
to you ;''-and for the life of me Icould
not say no." -. ..
When we were in the bright moonlit
garden, he stopped where clump Of
lilac bushes hid US from the house, and
drew from his bosom roll of notes.
81 shall finish paying for our house,
tomorrow, dea-," he said, in voice
that excessive happiness made tremu-
lOus. ''I drew the money from the
bank tO-day-tweDty-fi hundred dol
lars. All, how have worked for this
/ hour :"
| should have been harder than a
milestone If L had not forgotten all my
foolish anger at that moment. If had
not melted rather from my GOODNESS
for 1 was as glad as he was, and /
dropped my head on his shoulder there
in the moonlight, and cried happy,
happy, remorseless tears
"Steve," said, ''you shall let me
keep the money until morning. shah
think have dreamed if YOU don't"
Steve laughed, but he let me have my
way. All, what foolish whim it was
Few women would have dared TO take
charge of such sum of money; and
fewer men would have permitted them.
But Steve knew it was as safe, TO all
common calculation, with me as with
| himself.
As we turned toward the house, for a
single instant | thought saw the sha-
dow of man across our path; but,
looking back, saw nothing but the IL
lac bushes tossing in the air.
"What's the matter?" said Steve, no.
ticing my backward gaze.
81 thought l saw the figure of man
crossing the PATH" replied.
Nonsense" he replied, and we
were indoors.
swell, Steve and | were the happiest
pair there that night; and Mr.. Fordyce
saw, and could not quite keep his eyes
from saying that he hated us both for
it, or | fancied so.
The party broke up at u O'Clock !;
that was late for US, and Mr.. Fordyce.
having brought me there, took me home.
On the way he told me of another rob-
berry that had taken place the night be,
fore at one of the hotels. a person had
been robbed of $500, which he had just
received at the bank. Perhaps it was
that story that made me, tired as | was.
bestow some thought on hiding place
for Steve's money. l pondered very
seriously as | took down my hair and
arranged my hair; then, with laugh
at my own ingenuity, tucked the roll
of notes in my luxuriant tresses, and
drew net over TO hold all in place l
was asleep almost the same instant my
head tonched the pillow.
l ought to have slept sOundlv, and
dreamed happy dreams, but l did not.
Some counter influence seemed to rutfle
my slumbers and | awoke.
Some one was in my room. knew
it as well as though | could see, and the
room was too dark for that. There
was no sound either, but for all that /
knew | was not alone. l tried to scream,
to raise my voise. 1 was frozen with
terror. / never thought once of the
money, or robbers, or anything, that
know of. i was only frightened so that
| could not move hand or foot, or make
noise. | don't know but stopped
breathing. l can remember how cold
felt, though the night was warm.
Suddenly, without the warning of a
breath. was conscious that hand was
creeping stealthily about my pillow.
| did not think of money even then.
As terror had stolen my senses, so now
it brought some of them back. | gave
one scream and sprang from the bed, or
tried to-; Two strong hands stopped
me; a firm hand held me, while the
other hand yainly sought TO loose my
hair. The net, more obstinate than
nets usually are, would not come off
probably because, in his hurry, my
mysterious assailant was unconscious
of its plant meshes. He pulled my hair
in his awkward attemps horribly. The
pain was like spur to me. As his arm
lay across my arms, l bent my head
swiftly, and fastened my teeth upon it
with viscious snap that only woman
in my situation would have been ca
pable of.
The unexpectedness of the attack
dissolved my bonds. ITith an audible
oath he let me GO, and l darted away
with winged feet, and met father in the
passage. OF course | tainted then and
there; and by the time anybody got
into my room, my robber had made
good his escape.
Alas, however, he should not have
allowed himself to swear, above all, to
a woman of such acute ears as had l
had heard the voice, and knew it be-
longed to Mr.. Fordyce.