The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-12-27
Was that the reason the room was so sell

Was that the reason the room was so sci
dom used
cold perspiration came over me.
covered my head on my pillow with an in
voluntary dread, when abruptly all wal
silent. However, the sounds were renewed
but altered. Now, they were without my
window, upon which came two distinct
taps, such as no human hand could give
laid half terrified with fear. Again il
came, tap, tap followed by the light pat.
tering of feet on the floor. What should
doS l sprang up, threw on my dressing
wrapper and fled to the door.
Before reaching it, the fire. falling togeth.
er, cast forth brighter glow, looked
around; the room was empty; and sudden.
ly there flashed across my brain the thought
of the rdicule I must bear did arouse the
house for some foolish cause.
/ stood irresolute, when tap, tap came
on the window accompanied by a long
drawn sigh. Summoning my small stock
of courage, approached. There being no
blind, the curtains had been drawn over
1t. Taking one in each hand, / quickly
flung them back. A moan burst from my
lips, for, before me, wavering in the red
freight which cleaned on the panes, was
the shadowy outline of woman, clothed
in white, with her hair streaming on her
shoulders, and her dilated orbs staring into
mine, while her arms were extended to
clutch me. waited no more but fled from
the room along the corridors, calling for
help, determining to rouse the whole house.
On turning into the second passage,
perceived before me an open window, and
man standing by it. fancied it one of
the servants,and renewing my cries rushed
forward. saw him move back-there was
II flash of light-a report and | fell, shot
in the shoulder, to the ground.
or course you guess my secret now p
The noises about the room were mice, con-
verted into sprites by my fears. The tap
ping was the ivy, and the woman was my
own reflection. All, but the mantle
pistol All, dear reader, accounted for
Some of the sounds in the garden had real
ly existed, for that very night an attempt
had been made 10y burglars, who had just
effected an entrance when my shrieks alarm
ed them. The last was making his escape
by the window when rushed toward him
causing him to fire.
Well, directly my senses returned, found
myself overwhelmed with praises and
euloglums Tor my courage, IN, slnglehand-
ed, so bravely attacking the burglars.
The Colonel declared he owned the pre-
servation of his plate closet entirely to me.
Indeed, before could explain, they made
me out such heroine, that for very shame
dared not admit the coward had really
been; but, with guilty conscience, accept
ed my ill-merited laurels.
Some little while after, Uncle Gray died,
and to my surprise, instead of leaving his
money to build almshouses, willed it to me
for having proved myself girl of spirit
A twelvemonth later, Herbert Lester
asked me to be his wife; but, before saying
YES" had the justice to reveal to him the
truth, and never in my life did see man
laugh more heartily; while to this day the
color flies to my cheek on meeting my hus
bands merry glance when my friends relate
the event which won for me the title "A
Perfect Heroine"