The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1877-02-09

thai his head was bald on the top, and
the thinniSh hair brushed up from be-
hind over it.
9 He had prominent cars, low forehead
and large mouth with fetreating chin,
where grew stubby beard, of grizzly
black, like his hair. ] did not know
why / observed all this, or his eyes,
small and hid under grayish brows,
that seemed to glance turtively about
him when no one appeared to be look
ing.
His voice was harsh and croaking,
and had startled me when he first ad-
dressed me.
We were used to strollers of all kinds,
as have said. Perhaps was mental
ly contrasting his responsiveness. with
my fathers noble and dignified features.
He seemed to ne very ugly. I was
glad when he had finished his meal,
and risen to go.
He asked permission to light his pipe,
which was readily granted. He went
ont directly, passing accidentally
through the dining-room and out OF tie
great hall, where he fingered for a mo-
ment or two.
Az a4sAA Aii'AiiHOA Clhlll1 CI9OQSb
tor his breakfast, but the girls laughed
and nodded as he went ont, and said
they should think had picked up a
raven.
All that long, bright day was busy
and happy in the flower garden, or
sewing, or reading and when the girls
left, looking very cheerful at their half
holiday, | wished them merry time,
and told them not to hasten home, for
Thomas should cpme for them.
l expected my father and mother
soon after eight o'clock, and l told
Thomas he might so about that time,
as they would soon be home, aud it
looked little like rain.
Heavy clouds were gathering in the
west and the thunder runlbled sullenly.
He took the covered wagon aud old
gray, and before he stepped in, said re-
spectfully:
"AIiss Ann, l tIiuk you had better
fastan the doors, as you may be all
alone for short time if / 90 so soon.
Would not You rather that l should
wait till your father comes 90
"Oh, 10, Thomas; don't mind being
alone in the least, and you ought to
go, lest it should rain Lard, for it is
more than two miles to ride, and they
may not wish to leave in minute. |
expect father and mother every moment.
DON'T wait"
So Thomas left, and the wagon rat
tied merrlly up the lane.
| bolted the doors because lie had
told me to, for otherwise should not
have thought of it
II grew dark rapidly, aud the tIuncer
began to peal heavily, while the wind
rose, and the flashes OF lightning grew
more vivid and frequent.
! went into the east parlor, and look
ed ont to the south, but the sudden
lighting up OF the sky and the follow
ing darkness did not interest me long
! could not see ont very well, either,
as the honeysuckles covered the win
dows.
The large mirror reflected me as
turned away TO cross the room, and
stopped moment with natural van
! ity, for l was young and tair enough to
look upon.
/ let all my hair fall loose, and
wound it in long, shining brown curls
over my fingers. 1t certainly did look
hand somI, for it was very Trick, and
tell below my waist, and curIed almost
of itself as it fell.
There came great flash of light, and
l saw distinctly reflected in the glass a
face looking in the window. 1t was an
instant OF terror, but neither screamed
nor moved.
The face could not see my face, and
kept nv body still, and rolled the
long shining rings off my cold, white
fingers. 1t was an ugly face, and 1
recognized it. I had seen it that
morning, and l knew what lay before
me. prayed inwardly briet prayer
| for help.
Turning from the glass, I went stead
| lily toward table that stood near that
window, and on which I had left my
candle. | moved steadily as usual, and
took up the water pitcher and looked
i'll it, then took my candle and went to-
ward the kitchen.
The lightning kept flashing, but the
face did not come again. [ dropped
my candle ON the kitchen hearth and
put my foot on the wick [ set down
tho pitcher on the dresser, and with
soft. light football fastened through the
west room up tile front stairs, into my
fathers chamber, and softly closed and
bolted the door at the head of the stairs
unlocked his box, took out both the
bags of gold, relocked it, and made my
way into the great chamber.
/ heard voices; | heard the door,
tried below. l knew it was not my
father. l dared not tremble or grow
faint. [ went through that room anG
two others to the garret stairs. hard
ly breathed. l heari window pushed
up; more than one person came in at it
/ felt about me in the dark. There wa
sliding panel in the inside of the stair
way. / pushed it and it rolled back
entered into long closet under th,
stairs, and slid tho panel carefully int
its place. pulled my dress close abou
me lest it might be caught, and the doc
not closed tight. Then / waited.
heard steps coming up the stairs.
I hna nd al Al.