Connecticut western news., 1877-03-30
The Eyes in the Bust.

The Eyes in the Bust. In the winter of 1S42, gentleman and his daughter, young lady, while tra- yelling through Canada, arrived about nightfall at an old-fashioned tavern. The gentleman concluded to stop there instead of going on to the village of S., which was ten miles distant, and which they had thought to reach. The Carrie-expressed her will lingness, as the tavern presented con- fortable appearance, and they alighted, when it was plainly to be seen that the gentleman was quite lame, so much so that he was obliged to use cane.
 The landlord came out, and calling a boy to take the horse and sleigh to the barn, he ushered MT. Spencer and his daughter into a pleasant sitting where bright fire was burning on the hearth, which proved very acceptable to our travellers, who had been in the sleigh since morning.
 "Your room will be ready by supper time, sir," said the landlord as he left the room and went into the bar room.
 Supper was shortly announced, and after refreshing themselves, MT. Spen- cer and Carrie returned to the cosy sit ung-room, where they chatted until half-past eight. They were then shown to their room, which was on the second story, in a wing somewhat remote from the main portion.
 The room was very long, with high ceiling. On one side vas window, and on the other was door. Just above the door was bust of King George III. The room was plainly furnished, con- taining two beds, washstand and a few chairs.
 Carrie took in the whole room at a glance, andit must be confessed had there not been cheerful fire burning, she would have felt nervous about sleep ing there. As it was, the warm glow lit up the room into comparative cheer fulness.
 While she and her father sat by the fire, her eyes wandered to the bust be- fore the door, when she noticed that the eyeballs had evidently been knocked out, leaving two empty spaces.
 s'Well Carrie," said MT. Spencer pre- scntly, s'I think you had better lock the door. am going to count my money" After Carrie had done SO, he drew out money belt, heavy with bills, and
 nir n so, Carries eyes sinvoluntarily wandered again to the bust, when to her horror and astonishment in place of the empty spaces were two glittering eyes, greed fly watching every movement of he1 father.
 The young girl could hardly suppress a scream; but controlling herself, she looked toward the fire, while her father went on counting large roll of bills.
 ''I must have been mistaken ; thought the fair girl. "What could make me have such strange fancy thought" she continued, glancine again at the bust.
 The eyes were still there-two burn ing, savage eyes-that frightened al MT. Spsncer went on counting.
 Good heavens!'' thought Carrie "what shall we do? We are evidently in den of thieves, and will be murdered Tor my poor fathers money."
 How to communicate their danger tt her father without those terrible eye noticing it, Carrie could not think Suddenly bright idea came to her. Father" she said aloud, 'let me talk d card and pencil. wish to make memorandum of some items want t. purchase in the village.
 Her father handed them to her, afte slowing away his belt. Carrie wrot tremblingly in fine hand:
 ''Father, do not be frightened; w > are in trap. Go in the opposite cor her of the room, where your face vii be in the dark, and look at the bus above the door. In it you will see tw glittering eyes that have watched yo count your money"
 'sRead it," she said, aloud, handin the card to her father. 'I want you see if you think am too extravagant.
 Her father betrayed no emotion whil he read it, but said:
 "You are pretty extravagant, Carrie suppose you think your father is mad of money" And he arose and went the washstand, which was ill dar corner.
 Once there he glanced tow r tn bust, and the glance confirmed hi daughters extraordinary statement When he came back to his seat, Carri saw that the eyes were gone. The leaning toward her father, she said in low tone:
 "You see it Is as I said. have though of plan, however, by which we ca both escape. You would be perfectl helpless in an affray of any kind on at count of your lame leg, so must try | save us both." E..
 Then followed whispered consu1ts tion, during which Carrie kept her eye fixed on the bust; but the glittering orl had not come back. As she conclude, Carrie went to the window, threw