Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-11-08


rather ashamed of the Stiffness of the pro-
ceeding, and laughed at her own reflection,
standing in modern furbelOwed dress, apple
in hand, beneath those ancient pictures.
Three, four, five, six. Still no stir, no ap-
pearance. Still her eyes vainly explored the
shadowy space behind her doubly reflected
in the twin mirrors. Look over your right
shoulder all the time" Lucy had said. What
was il that at the stroke of seven suddenly
drew her gaze, as by magnetic attraction, to
the left, and gave her curious uneasy sens
alton as of some one watching her, or of an
other presence in the room ? There was
nothing in the parlor All! but in the glass
behind her was mrrored the door through
which she had come. 1t was hidden from
her as she stood by the bulky black cabinet !;
but in the mirrors depths she saw plainly a
crouching form appear for an instant in the
gloom of that doorway, and an ugly sinister
face look in. Another instant and it was
gone; and Bertha's heart seemed to stop
beating, and the apple fell to the floor.
1t was a wonder she did not scream in her
first surprise. She was not afraid of the dead,
but she certainly was Of the living, and the
shock caused by that momentary glance made
her faint and cold with terror. Mechanically
she picked up the apple. No ghost could
have been whittier than she as she faced the
mirror again.
"How much thinking can be done in a
second It seemed 10 Bertha that an age
was compressed into the time occupied by the
last four strokes of twelve. That first glance
had shown her the whole peril Of the situa-
ton. Two girls and helpless old man in a
lonely house two miles from the village, and
ut least one from the nearest neighbor One
robber already in the house, probably another
outsde-fnr she leaped at once to the conclu-
sion that She had really seen a figure looking
in the shrubbery. How many more might
be about she dared not think, but that the
one in the hall had just followed her she had
10 doubt. She shuddered at the remem-
brance Of her own light words uttered not
ten minutes ago He will follow me to the
cast parlor, and I shall see how he looks"
What was to be done? There were no fire
arms in the house but her fathers pistols, and
she doubted if those We're in n condition to
use, for Mr. Morriss careless, improvident
security was too well known in his family
Her father asleep above with unlocked doors
scarcely an inner lock in the house was in
order-Lucy waiting for her in the kitchen
(she would not dare give her sister any hint
of her fearful discovery. What a position !!
Would the burglars be satisfied with the sill
yer below stairs q? No surely; there was
jewelry and money to tempt them in the
chambers. And if her father were aroused
as he was sure to be, there might be murder
as well rs robbery Oh, what should she do !?
And how should she go through the halls
again with that uncanny follower, who no
doubt had been listening grimly to all their
nonsense in the kitchen about Hallow-eve
magic.
1t was all she could do to keep up an ap-
pearance of Indifference as She closed the
east parlor doorand began to retrace her steps
1t seemed MS if that crouching figure were
ready 10 spring upon her from every sbadowy
corner Still, she compelled herself TO move
slowly and 90 on eating the apple. Any
thing was better than to excite suspicion.
When she came opposite the dark recess un-
Der the stairs, she dared not glance that way ;
but listening as she passed, with hearing
quickened by apprehension, she was certain
she heard a stealthy movement. Again it re-
quired an effort to control the impulse to run
and scream She did close the kitchen door
rather hastily, and came into Lucy's pres
ence with n face SO different from the one
with which he left it that the latter ex-
claimed,
oh, Bertha! you're white as sheet"
White? Nonsense I'm only cold. The
room was ike a tomb
"B Lucy's voice dropped to an awe
stricken whisper-"did you see any thing :"
Il saw ali l expected TO see-tho walls and
furniture. l didn't see any thing else, was
the unnece ssarily loud reply.
You didn't? O% dear :" said inconsistent
Lucy. "Well, then, let's go to bed"
Don't 90 Just yet" Bertha said, feeling
that she must gain time somehow.
Il must. I'm dreadfully worn out"
"Well, then, you'll have to 30 alone. 1
shall stay up while"
why, what for? How unreasonable. :"
What for, indeed Bertha's brain was in
such a whirl that she thought she was going
crazy as she sat by the fire, trying to warm
her trembling hands.
Lets try some more magic" she said,
desperately. "Hallow-eve only comes once
year don't feel in the least sleepy Let's
roast some chcstnuts. That will be good
fun"
"Chestnuts? Those that were gathered
were all left outside in the store-house. I
know, for wanted some to-day, ard it rained
too much to get them"
An idea darted into Bertha's head. She
rose to her feet, saying in careless tones,
still intended for the listener who she was
sure was Just outside the kitchen door, "Well,
come and get them now, then"
go outdoors at this time Have you
lost your wits For mercy's sake, what
makes you speak so loud ?" she ended, quer-
ulously.
Something in her sisters face checked her
here, and brought her to her feet in obedi-
ence to an imperative motion from the latter,
who already had the key Of the outer door in
her hand
why should you he afraid ?" Bertha said,
forcing a laugh. Nothing ever happens
here. It's bright moonlight Wen lock the
door and be back in few minutes with the
chestnuts." And again a look checked the
query on Lucys white lips.
In another moment they We're both outside.
Then without q word of explanation Bertha
seized her sisters hand, saying in an agtated
whisper, Don't stop to ask why. Run with
with me MS fast as you can !" and she started
swiftly down a side path almost dragging her
alf-paralyzed sister with her.
If they only were not followed at once II
seemed to Bertha the only chance lay either
in getting help or in drawing the robbers
away in pursuit She knew that the outlaw
in the house would soon discover their flight,
but she was most apprehensive of the accom-.
plice concealed outside.
On she went at desperate speed, under wet
branches and over sodden ground Lucy
kept at her side with difficulty. But just as
they struck the main avenue near the street
gate Bertha looked behind, and this time
could not suppress cry of alarm. A mans
figure was dashing down through the moon
light in full pursuit. Lucy looked also, ut
tered a scream of terror tore her hand from
her sisters and rushed away among the thicl
trees on the right Bertha did not stop. She
knew the man would not follow Lucy. He
would pursue the one running toward tie vii
lage, and stop her at all hazards. And the
nearest house was at tine crossroads, mile
away
She had been famous runner in her girl
| hood. Remembering that her pursuer was
heavy and thickset, she took courage as she
sped like an arrow along the lonely moon-lit
road On and on, past woods, past fields
past meadows, she ran as she had never run
before, still spurrod TO greater efforts by the
| quick footballs behind.
! The distance had never seemed so great
| The robber kept close in her rear. 1t seemed
ages before she reached the tree that marked
| the half mile Would she never come il
SIGHT of the cottage at the cross roads AnC