The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1877-05-04

I
their work, for they were going out to
tea and to spend the evening. They
talked galy about their visit, paying lit
tie attention to the stroller, who was
quietly eating. He had laid his straw
hat on the floor, and saw that his head
was bald on top, and the thinnish hair
brushed up from behind over it
He had prominent ears, low forehead
and large mouth, with receding chin
where grew stubby beard of grizzly
black like his hair. don't know why
| observed all this, or his eyes, small and
hid under grayish brows, that seemed to
glance furitively about him when no one
appeared to be looking. His voice was
harsh and croaking, and had startled me
when he first addressed me.
We were used to strollers of all kinds
as have said. Perhaps was mentally
contrasting his responsiveness with my
fathers noble and dignifed features
He seemed to me very ugly. Iwas glad
when he had finished his mealand risen
to go. He asked permission to light his
pipe, which was readily granted. He
went out directly, passing accidently
through the dinning room and out of
the great hall, where he fingered for a
moment or two. He ia 'nked me civilly
enough for his breakfast, but the girls
laughed and nodded as he went out, and
said they should think had picked up
q raven.
All that long, bright day was busy
and happy in the flower garden, or sew
ing, or reading; and when the girls left,
looking very cheerful at their half holi
day, | wished them a merry time, and
told them not to hasten home for Thomas
should come for them.
expected my father and mother soon
after eight o'clock, and told Thomas he
might 90 about that time, as they would
soon be home, and it looked little like
rain. Heavy clouds we're gathering in
the west, and the thunder rumbled sui
lenly. He took the covered wagon and
old gray, and before he stepped in, said:
Miss Ann, think you had better
fasten the doors, as you may be all alone
for short time if should go soon
Wuold you not rather would wait until
your father comes?"
20 no, Thomas, / don't mind being
alone in the least, and you ought to go,
least it should rain hard, for it is more
than two miles to ride, and they may
not wish 10 leave in minute / expect
father and mother every minute. Don't
wait"
So Thomas left, and The wagon rat
tied merrily up the lane. / bolted the
doors, because he had told me to, for
otherwise | would not have thought oft.
1t grew dark rapidly, and the thunder
began TO peal heavily, while the wind
rose, and the flashes Of tightening grew
more vivid and frequent. Iwent out to
the east parlor, and looked to the south,
but the sudden tightening up of the sky
and the falling darkness did not interest
me long. L could not see out very well,
either as the honneysuckles covered the
windows. The large mirror reflected
me as turned away TO cross the room,
and | stopped moment with natural
vanity, for was young and fair enough
to look upon.
l let my hair fall loose, and wound
it in long shining curls over my fingers.
1t certainly did look handsome, +, for it
was very thick and fell below my waist
and curled almost of itself as it fell.
There came great fash of tightening.
and l saw distinctly reflected in the
glass a face looking in at the window.
1t was an instant Of terror, but neither
screamed nor moved. The face could
not see my face, and [ kept my body
still and rolled tie lcng. shining rings
off my cold, white fingers # WIS an
ugly face, and | recognized il. ! had
seen it that morning, and knew wha,
lay before me. Iprayed inwardlv brief
prayer fer help.
Turning from the glass went steadi-
ly toward the table that stood near the
window, on which | had left my candle
| moved steadily rs usual and took upl
the pitcher and looked in, and
then took my candle and went toward
the kitchen. The tightening kept fash
ing, but the face did not come again. !
dropped my candle on the kitchen
hearth. and put my foot on the wick l
set down the pitcher on the dresser, and
with soft, light football fastened through
the west room, up the front stairs, into
my fathers chamber, and softly closed
and bolted the door at the top Of the
stairs unlocked his box took out the
bags of gold, relocked it and made my
way into the great chamber.
heard voices; heard the doors tried
below. knew it was not my father. l
dared not tremble or grown faint. |
went through that room and two others
to the garret stairs. hardly brea;hed
| heard a window pushed UP; more than
one person came in at it. | felt about in
the dark There was sliding panel in
the inside of The stairway. Ipushed it
and it rolled back 1 entered into g |
long closet under the stairs, and slid the
panel carefully into its place. i feltl
cautiously to see ifall was safe. pulled
my dress clos about me least it might
be caught, and the door not closed tight |
IL. Then | waited. ! heard steps COM
ing up the stairs. / heard search |
through all the rooms below. My heart
beat till I thought every bound must be
audible; heard voices-one voice, the
Ravens | knew that harsh croak. III
told me nothing. The facehad revealed
all to me. The man must have learned
in some unaccountable way of the bag
of gold, and learned, too, when here IN
the morning, thar ! was to be alone. Ii
was all plain to me now. He had re-
turned, and had brought accomplices.
Ny peril was terribly imminent Very
soon the steps and voices came my way.
l could distinguish plainly the word
that were spoken:
aDrat her. she must have seen you"
No matter: we'll spit the box open
with this AK
| knew the ak WAS in the little porch.
Thomas had set it in when he had done
chopping the brush, as if looked Ike
rain.
heard steps and voices move away,
a dull. crashing sound, and then s;ifled.
angry tones. | knew that they had
opened the box. and found nothing but