The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1877-02-15

answered him, however, as though he
had spoken sincerely, and told him, what
! do not often acknowledge, ! was en-
gagged to Steve Lashley, No man likes
TO hear ono" from u woman's lips when
ever his petition is an idle one. For the
first time | saw Mr.. Fordyce's face dis.
torted with n sheer Of mingled anger and
dislike, and ! knew that my poor Stevc's
strange feeling toward Mr., Fordyce was
reciprocatcd by that gentleman with
equal intensity,
One night there was a party at Steye's
fathers. 1t was Martins birthday. Mr..
FOrdyce took me over about 8 o'clock.
It was a gay party. We had dancing,
which we do not always have, and the
music ard supper were good. danced
with Steve several times, and, being in
good spirits, found it rather difficult to
maintain tho distance | had lately adop-
ted towards him. His eyes, too, had
such Il soft, tender light in them, and
his lips such brightness.
"Come into the garden a minute, Bell"
he whispered to meat the close of dance;
81 have something TO say to you and
for the life of me ] could not say no
When we were in the bright moonlit
garden he stopped where n clump Of
lilac bushes hid US from the house, and
drew from his bosom n roll Of notes.
81 shall finish paying for our house,
tomorrow, DEAR" he said in a voice that
exclusive happiness made tremuIous. 81
drew the money from the bank to-day
twenty-five hundred dollars. All, how
| have worked for this hour!"
should have been harder than a mill
stone If | had not forgotten all my fool
ish anger at that moment, if ! had not
melted rather from my GOODNESS for !
was as glad AZ he was, and | dropped my
head on his shoulder there in the moon
light, and cried happy, happy, remorse
less tears.
"Stcye," ! said, "you shall let me
keep the money till morning. ! shall
think rhavc dreamed if you don't"
Steve laughed, but let me have my
way. All, what a foolish within it was
Few women would have dared TO take
charge Of such u sum Of money; and
fewer men would have permitted them.
But Steve knew it was AZ safe, to all
common calculation, with me AZ with
himself.
As we turned toward the house for a
single instant / thought | saw the
shadow of a man across our path but,
looking back, | saw nothing but the
lilac bushes tossing in the summer air.
whats the matter p said Steve,
noticing my backward gaze.
a thought saw the figure of a man
crossing the path," | replied,
"Nonsense p said he; and we were
indoors.
Well, 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 | lancicd 10.
The party broke up at twelve O'Clock
that was late Tor us, and Mr.. FordyCe,
having brought metherc, took me home.
On the way he told me Of another rob
berry that had taken place the night be-
tore at one Of the hotels. A person had
been robbed of five hundred dollars,
which he had just received at the bank.
Perhaps it was that story that made me,
tired as | was, bestow some thought on
n hiding place for Steve's money. !
pondcrcd very seriously ~ ! took down
my hair and arranged for the night then
with Il laugh at my own ingenuity |
tucked the roll of notes in my luxurant
]tresses, and drew u net over to hold all
in place. | was asleep almost the instant
my head touched the pillow.
ought to have slept soundly and
dreamed happy dreams, but ! did not.
Some counter influence seemed to ruttle
my slumbers and | awOkc.
Some one was in my room, ! knew it
as well a. though | could see, and the
room was too dark for that. There was
no sound either, but for all that ! knew
| was not alone. tried to scream, to
raise my voice. | was frozen with ter
tor. never thought once of the money,
or robbers, or anything that | know of.
was only frightened so that | could not
move hand or foot, or make II noise. |
don't know,but | st0pled,breathing. can
remember yet how cold | felt, though
the night vas warm.
Suddenly, without the warning OF II
breath | was conscious that Il hand was
creeping steadily 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 dropped me II
firm hand held me, while the other hand
vainly 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 astempts
horribly. The pain was like n spur to
me. As his arm lay across my arms,
bent my head swiftly, and fastened my
, teeth upon il with Il vicious snap that
only a mi in my situation would
, have been capable OF.
The unexpectedncss OF the attack
J dissolved my bonds. With an audible
, oath he let me go, and | darted away
; with winged feet, and met father in the
! passage. OF course ! tainted then and
= there; and by the time anybody got in.
, to the room my robber had made good
his escape.
Alas, however, he should not have al
: lowed himself to swear, above all, to a
, woman of such acute ears "a | had. |
! had heard the voice, and | knew.it be-
, longed to Mr.. Fordyce.
y Father fairly turned pale when told
= him but he cautioned me not to betray
! that | suspected any one present, and he
, took Steve's money under his special
charge. Wdhllmet,at breakfast. Ishould
have'said that Mr.. Fordyce had made his
> ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS the rest
} Of the family whom my screams had
7 aroused, and in the most natural manner.
He came down to breakfast now, smiling,
: and Just interested enough in my adven-
> ture.
Father went away into town after
breakfast, and Mr.. Fordyce sat in the
garden and smoked. The officers who
came to arrest him stole upon him from
H. Lo,L and sacure1 him hpfore ha