Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-12-08

the range of hills fronting our dwelling,
tinging the sky with radiant hues viii 6.
varied momentarily.
could have sat for hours watching the
numerous hues that swept across the
heavens, but with the uprising moon and
gathering twilight saw that Maude was
once more becoming nervous.
"Won't you close the shutters?" inquir-
ed Maude.
Mot unless you particularly wish it,
DEAR" replied.
''But do, she answered.
was about to shut out the moonlight
view, and make a desperate effort to
change the conversation, when Maude,
who had her eyes fixed On the lawn, sud
denly clutched my arm, and involun-
tarily retreated step. "Sis," she cried,
"what is that moving in the laurels2'
looked, and in moment observed
emerging from the shelter Of the laurels,
but still remaining beneath the dense
shadow of the overhangjng tree. what
seemed to be the figure Of man. He
looked III heightvery short, almost dwarf
IKE, but was stout of frame, and appear
ed dressed in white, or was without a
coat; what seemed to be his shict-sleeves
being alone seen as he raised his arms
when freeing himself from the bushes.
SOh SIS exclaimed Maude, ''it is q
man. Let Us give him all our iewelrv, or
mayhap we may be murdered ere any Of
our people may come bacl17'
''Maude,' I cried, 'Sfor heavens sake,
endeavor to retain your senses. You yes
tarday remarked the double barrelled
gun which hangs over toe mantlepiece in
the kitchen, and asked me If it were load
me while keep watch here?"
Sie nodded; / knew her fright prevent
ed her speaking. Clasping her hand
tightly within my OWE, and then releas-
ING if, said:
Bring it to me then; The gun is per
fectly safe 50 long as you do not touch
the trigger.
Whilst Maud was gone it seemed to
me as though the figure drew closer; it
was careful to remain within the shallow
of the tree, but it struck me as exceeding
ly strange that, although the white
sleeveo arms were continually raised, as
though their owner had just awakened
from a sound sleep, could not see the
creatures head.
In very short time heard Mauds
approaching footsteps AS she placed
the gun in my hand felt that her fin
gers were cold and trembling.
At that moment the mysterious being
drew few PAGES nearer, and seemed to
have limping gait, whether from natur~
al imfrmity or drunkenness I could not
tell.
Flinging open the window, and raising
the gun, cried at the top of my voice
who's here? Answer, or I'll fre!'
A few seconds elapsed, but no response
came to my Inquiry.
"Who are youa" 1 again shouted.
NY fingers closed upon the trigger,
then came q flash Of liz hit and loud re-
port-the intruder upon the lawn stag
gered and fell.
simultaneously poor Maud sank Iaint-
ing On the CARPET.
Not daring to move from the room. I
rested the gun against the table, and rails
ing Maude's head in my hands, enaeav-
ored to restore her to consciousness.
What seemed to me hours, but what real
ly could not have been more than twenty
minutes, passed, and then came the sound
of vehicles driven rapidly up the lane. I
heard my father clamoting for admit
lance, and hurrying to the door, fell al
NEST swoolmg into his arms.
As coherently as could I told him of
CUR adventure, and that the body of
man lay beneath the laurol bushes; so
resigning me TO the care Of Que Of the
gentlemen, he hurried TO the spot indi-
Gated. In moment after, his CHEEKY
voice sounded through the still air, give
got him; but he's more frightened than
hurt. Why, girls, its representative of
yourselves! It's nothing but a9goose.'
Neither Was it. That boy Smith, VINO
was so much to be depended on, had for
once proved himself unworthy OF his trust,
and tits poor bird, in its futile endeavors
to seek his companions, had in our new
Gus fancy, became magniied to the pro-
portions Of q HOUSEKEEPING desperately;
its ougstretched wings in the shadow, to
which it SO persistently kept, helping to
carry out the delusion we had entertained.
Of course we were pretty considerably
rallied about the matter, but we never
after volunteered to remain in the house
alone.