Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-03-21
The Eyes in the Bust.

The Eyes in the Bust.
Ia the winter of 1872, a gentleman ant
his daughter, young lady, while ira
yelling through Canada, arrived abOu
nightfall at an Old-fashioned tavern
The gentleman concluded to stop ther,
instead of going on to the village o.
s., which was ten miles distant, anC
which they had thought to reach. The
-Carrie-eXpressed her will
lingness, as the tavern presented com
Portable appearance, and they alighted
when il was plainly TO be seen that the
gentleman was quite lame, so much 81
that he was Obliged TO use a cane.
The landlord came out, and calling &
boy TO take the horse and sleigh to the
barn. he ushered Mr.. Spencer and his
daughter into pleasant sitting-rOom
where a 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 barroom.
Supper was shortly announced, and
after refreshing themselves, Mr.. Spen-
Ger and Carrie returned 10 the cosy sit
ting-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 as window, and
on the other was a door. Just above
the door was a bust of King George Ill.
The room was plainly furnished, con-
tanning two beds, a washstand ard a
few chairs.
Carrie took in the whole room at a
glance, and it must be confessed had
there not been a 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 b7en knocked
out, leaving two empty spaces.
"well Carrie" said Mr.. Spencer pre-
scntly, 81 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
proceeded to count them. While doing
so, Carries eyes involuntarily wandered
again TO the bust, when to her horror
and astonishment in place of the empty
spaces were two glittering eyes, greed
lily watching every movement OF her
father.
The young girl could hardly suppress
Il scream; but controlling herself, she
looked toward the fire, while her father
went on counting large roll of bills.
IL must have been Mistaken"
thought the fair girl. "What could
make me have such strange fancy,
thought" she continued, glancing
again at the bust.
The eyes were still there-two burn
ing, savage eyes-that Frightened as
Mr.. Spencer went on counting.
Good heavens" thought Carrie,
what shall we do, We are evidently
in a den of thieves, and will bemurdered
ior MY poor fathers money"
How 10 communicate their danger 10
her father without those terrible eyes
noticing it, Carrie could not think.
suddenly bright idea came to her.
"Father," she said aloud, '1et me take
L card and pencil. wish to make a
memorandum of some items | want TO
purchase in the village.
Her father handed them to her, after
slowing away his belt. Carrie wrote
tremblingly in fine hand:
"Father, do not be frightened; we
are in a trap. Go in the opposite cor
ner of the room, where your face will
be in the dark, and look at the bust
above the door. lT it you will see two
ylittering eyes that have watched you
count your money"
"Read it, she said, aloud, handing
the card to her father. 81 want you to
see if you think am too extravagant."
Her father betrayed no emotion while
he read it, but said:
You are pretty extraragant, Carrie.
I suppose you think your father is made
of money!" And he arose and went TO
the washstand, which was in dark
corner.
Once there he glanced tow r the
bust, and the glance confirmed his
daughters extraordinary statement.
When he came back to his seat, Carrie
saw that the eyes were gone. Then
leaning toward her father, she said in a
low tone:
.You see it is as said. have thought
of plan, however, by which we can
both escape. You would be perfectly
helpless in an affray Of any kind on ac-
count of your lame leg, so l must try to
save us BOTH"
Then followed whispered consulta-
ton, during which Carrie kept her eyes
fixed on the bust; but the glittering orbs
had not come back. As she concluded,
Carrie went to the window, threw it