The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-09-13

! he escaped abroad and hasn't been
card from since. Wasn't he wicked
man to kill his poor wife2'
"Was she youngl" Helen asked.
mot much oIder'n you, and real
beautiful, Deacon VIE says he kill
ID her one night" his Voice sinking
into an swe-struck whisper. stabbed
Ter with km lt. u:i uel.l, 20 look
under the bed!"
81 thought you weren't afraid, Il b,
bie,' forcing laugh There moth
ing here to hurt yJu, dear. wish l
had good supper for you; but, seeing
| haven't, you'd better go right t.
Sleep" As she spoke she approached
the bed.
"But can't sleep there!' said Rob
bic, with a shudder.
mo dear; you can wrap yourself Up
N these blankets, and lie down by the
fire if you wish. They aie fearfully
moth-esten. but l guess they'll keep
you warm"
But you-you don't take any care
of yourself, said Robert, in tone of
loving remonstrace
''Oh, I'm going TO attend to myself
now," said Helen, as she wrapped the
blankets warmly around him. | shall
sit up the rest OF the night in this big
arm chair. Here. put your head on
this cushion. Now. don't speak an
other word. Good night, and pleas
ant Dreams"
l. was after midnight The fire still
glowing on the heaIt th, AMI the candle
east IA faint, flickering light through
the room. Robert, exhausted by the
days fatigue and suffering, slept pro-
foundly. Helen reclined in the grea.
arm chair opposite-her eyes closed,
her cheeks resting on the soft folds of
the blanket in which she had wrapped
herself.
Suddenly she sat mp in her chair,
looking around her with a wild con,
fused glance. Ia moment she reali
zed where she vas. A frightful pic
ture rose before her; she shuddered,
and made half mo ion to rise. She
would feel less lonely if she stretched
herself by Robbie's side. Just then
she heard a stealthy footstep en- the
stairs!
Helen SAT, with her head turned 10
ward the door, perfectly rigid with
fear. She never moved, only clasped
the arm of her chair more coarulsiv-ly
Then she heard the footsteps passing
along the hall, and echoirg on tht
stairway overhead.
She drew long breath nov and pu
her hand mechanically o her forehead
A cold dew covered it, and she VIA:
shivering from head to foot.
Harkl The footsteps again, ap
proach the door! They cca>ed-t
hand tried the lock!
There was a pause ofa moment, per
haps, but it seemed an eternity to her
Then a voice exclaimed, in q deel
groaD, "Oh, my God!' The intens,
hollow bitterness of those tones sen
the blood back with ru b TO Helen
heart; she gave low, shuddering sob
and her head dropped on her bosom
The footsteps receded, as softly as the!
came.
Helen rose, and, with wild glanct
around her, tot cred toward the plac,
where Robbie lay. She dropped dow
bsside him, and with a faint moal
embraced him with one trembling arm
"Oh, Helen? how good it seems t
see the sunshine againi';
Robert was bustling about. hi
spirits quite restored by good night
rest, and the cheerful morning ligh
streaming into the room.
you look dreadfully Iale, Helen
don't believe you slept as well as
did. See, our clothes are quite dry
quite an adventure We We had, haven
we'll wonder If father and mothe
. | -orria1 ,I,1,,f ma go
They probably thought We stage,
at Aunt Lydia's, like sensable beings,
said Helen. DRESS yourself quick
Robbie-it is time we were on on
way"
Half an hour later they were toilin
through the snowy streets again. al
ter trudging along some time, they
heard the sound of sleigh bells az
preaching them.
''Oh, it's MIR. Jones, Helen" erie
Robert, joyfully; he'll take US home.
"Why, it's Nell Wilson and he
brother" exclaimed the farmer, check
ing his horse. "What upon airth-
"Oh, Mr.. Jones, take us in, an
well tell you about it," said Helen
half crying with excitement and ex
haustion. ''We are almost dead
| On the wav to Milford they toll
him their story.
so you slept in the Haunted House