The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-01-31
Some One In the Room.

Some One In the Room.
Elijah Croly, my husband, was owne,
and captain OF coasting vessel, doing q
good trade; and we occupied an old fash
oned and somewhat dreary house at
tepney. Elijah liked the place more
han I did, and it was on his account that
We stayed there so long: I thought it
could make very little difference to him
where we lived, for he was at home only
two or three weeks out Of every ten. I
was often alone two months at time; ard
lonely enough it was sometimes.
"Get some one whom you like to stay
with you my DEAR" the captain said,
when told him one day how unpleasant
l felt to be alone so much. SECT any
one you please, ard before long I hope
shall be able TO stay at home with ysu
myself"
l took his advice, and after some in
quiry. found a woman whom thought
would suit me. Her name was Emily
Sands, and she was pleasant. faced wom-
an Of about forty. She told me she had
been left a widow with no means, and had
since earned her living by needle-work
and although I had intended that the
woman who came every morning to do
my houseword should still come, found
Emily SO handy and so willing that I
soon discontinued the services Of the other.
She was so amiable and so virtuous, that
was satisfied that had done the best
that could do in the matter.
II hope So" he said doubtfully.
"And don't you think so?' asked.
"Wcll, no." he replied.
"Now, I'd like to know why, Elijah.
Do you see anything wrong about herr"
II can't say that do; presume it is
only notisn; but have IN some way
conceived kind of distrust in her face.
can't explain it, and you had better not
bc prejudiccl by it,
"You may be very sure I shall not"
| rejoined, IF it has no more foundation
than this
And this was all that was said between
us on the subject. I was too we'll &C
quainted with the captains sudden
whims to attach much importance to this
one.
The captain remained at home this time
barely two weeks. On the morning that
he left to take his vessel for another trip,
Just after he had taken his hat to 90, he
called me into his chamber and shut the
door.
"Hcrc is something, Fanny" he said,
''that want you to keep safe for me
till l come back" And he took paper
package from his breast-p pocket as he
spoke. "Thcre are ten tifty-pound notes
in it--tivc hundred pounds in all. l will
lock it up here in this bureau drawer, and
give you the key" And he did so. mo
one would think of coming here for
money!
"Do you think you had better leave it
here, Elijah??" asked. "Why not put
it in the bank?"
II mean to; but shall not have time.
The money was only paid me last night.
Bot no matter, the money will be safe
where it is, aud there will be no danger
about it; or if you don't think so you may
deposit it yourself"
My husband took little thought of
possibilities, and presume that he never
once thought of money from the time he
left the house until he returned. AS for
myself, was not so easily satisfied. had
Outrages of that kind to make me afraid
to keep this large amount with me. My un-
casiness increased rs day wore on; and the
about three o'clock the same afternoon,
took the money and went to the bank, de-
tcrmincd to deposit it. The bank was
closed; all the banks were closed, for it
was Saturday.
took the package home again, re-
placed it in the bureau drawer, locked it,
replaced the KEY in my pocket, and re-
solved that would not worry any moro
about it. Emily called me to tea in a
little while, and though not hungry, I
went into the dining room and sat With
her while she drank her tea and laughed
and chatted in her vivacious way,
The evening wore rather long, and
Emily and l sat together in the dining
room after the table was cleared, she
reading aloud, and listening, as was our
custom. When the clock struck ten she
laid down her book; and took my
lamp, and bidding her good night, wen,
up to my room.
My chamber occupied the whole front
Of the second story, and Emily had a back
room upon the same floor. A bcll-wire
ran from my room to hers, 50 that ]
could summon her at pleasure.
placed the lamp upon the bureau
shaded it, and returned and closed the
door. Then drew my easy chair to the
middle of the room, put on my slippers
and sat down for few minutes before re-
firing. And Immediately 1 became vexcd
at myself to find that was looking at the
drawer that held the money, and that ]
was feeling in my pocket to see that the
key was safe. I felt no alarm; I had al
most cured myself of my uneasiness; but
II seemed as if that money, and the dan
ger of its custody, would obtrude upon
me. In the Impotence Of the moment
turned my chair half round, and looked
toward the opposite wall. The shade that
1placed over the lamp confined its rays
within small circle. beyond which the
bed, the furniture, the carpet and the
wall paper were obscure. In the corner,
to the right Of the door, was an antique,
h-backed chair, a favoritc piece of
furniture. AS l turned my own chair
from the bureau, my eyes rested on this
object; and I saw by the same glance tina:
human figure was sitting in it
1cOuld not at first make out whether
it was man or woman: I only became
conscious, as sat in bewildering, dumb
terror, that I was confronted by a strang.
er there in that scmi-darkness-by some
one who had hidden in the room for some
object; and what the object is I well knew
No person VINO has never been placed
in such terrifying situation as that can
describe the sickening feeling which 70,
moment takes possession of the heart
and can only say for myself that I sal