Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-01-04

ness hy the wcll-made black dress, S,whirh
had evidently been the work of first
rate modtSe She wore no ornaments
except plain gold ring on the little
finger of her left hand, which noticed
was particularly large. lccased To crit.
iciSe her after we had been togcthcr for
i little while. She was SO pleasant, 50
chatty, and yet SO quiet withal, that Gre
evening came began to congratulate
myself on my own penpicacity i'll hay
ing engaged her, and was fully prepared
to indorSc Lady MontacutcS opinion,
that She was sure to hc not only favor
itc but an acquisition.
A fortnight slipped quietly away, and
in my weekly budget to my husband, |
gave most charming accounts OF my
companion, which our everyday inter
course seemed fully to confirm. But
about the third week something |
could not explain, made me take dis
like to her. HAD no, been very well,
and her kindness had boon lnrcmitGng;
consequently | felt almost angry with
myself for indulging in feeling which
| could not help acknowledging WAS
both unreasonable and chihish.
But it gained ground in spite of my
self; and one night, us | was standing
by the looking-glass III my bedroom,
which hwaS in the shadow, / caught sight
of Miss Burke, who was leaning on the
mantlepiccc in the full light of the gas,
which burned ON either side of il, re-
garding me with stealthy and search
ing glance, which instantly observed,
but had sufficient sense to take no notice
of. The expression III her large black
eyes haunted me for days, and caused
me to say good night to her ON the land
ing, and in addition, to lock my door, ~
prccaution had never before thought
Of taking.
One night shortly afterwards awokc,
fnncying | heard II movement outside
my door. My room was perfectly dark
and | was convinced some noise had
suddenly awakened me, listened i'll
tCntly, almost too terrified to breathe,
until heard most distinctly the handle
of my door cautiously turned. An nj.
most death-likc horror seized me- and
for an instant was absolutely rigid
with terror; but the spell was broken by
another audible effort to ppcn the door,
and the hall clock striking three, which
made me spring up in bed seize the
matches, and, with trembling fingers,
attempt two or three times to strike u
light. At last was successful, and the
welcome blaze Of the 81, which | lit
gave ne courage to call out boldly
Who is there ?' But no answer came.
| pulled my bell vigorously, and in n
few minutes heard steps approaching,
and Ellis welcome voice asked if was
i'll.
No, Ellis, not ILL.,, said, "but terri
fled, rs | unlocked the door and adj
mitted her Some one tried my door
not five minutes ago
Tried your door, ma'am? surely
not" calculated Ellis.
Yes, Ellis; | am certain of il, and il
has given me such n shock cannot
be left alone again"
"What is the matter, dearest Mrs.
C0nyers2 exclaimed Miss Burke, Nho
appeared IN my room just Us had
made the last remark to Ellis
:" have been frightened, answered
"but do not disturbc yourself, Miss
Burke; it was probably nothing.
1t could not have been anything, ol
! must have heard il, She said, hall
70 me and half to Ellis
Pray, do not trouble yourself"
responded; " ann only sorry You got
up at all.
She Staid for few minutes, hut get
ting no encouragement To remain rc.
turned To her own room, assuring me il
She heard II sound she would be Will
me i'll moment
The instant she was safely gone,
turned 70 Ellis, desiring her IN the frs
place TO close and lock the door; anC
i'll the second, TO prepare torcmain witl
me until morning; for ! was 20 un.
hinged by the circumstance, thrilling
though it was, that to be left hv myscl
was out Of the question
Ellis mad been with me ever since ny
marriage, now three years, and hac
been well known TO my husbands
family all her life consequently, | felt
! might trust her, 80 said Ellis,
have my own suspicious; but We mus
do nothing until We are sure. Mean
while, you must have bed made III
in this room. and We must watch"
Miss Burke p whispered Ellis.
F." Yes | replied :" il was she whc
tried my door.
Well, na'am, conlided Ellis, Al
have been downright afraid other thi'
sometime back eiyil SPOKEN though
She IS. But what could she want al
your door,
That ! ~ not know but VIC may
find out.
By dint ~ blanket oh ny led, and
sundry shawls, Ellis was made comfort
able for the rest ofthe night on the sofa
and ] returned to bed, not TO sleep, foi
| was thoroughly upset, but To lie and