The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1879-10-02
The PAIR OF BOOTS.

alone, at the IoOt OF an immense gar
den. far from neighbors, and Lad no
other occupants than Monsieur and
Madame Aubrey. their son-aD infant
Of twelve months and domestic, Re
Gently admitted into their service.
One evening IN the month of Novem-
Der. Madame Aubrey was awaiting
with some anxiety the return Of her
husband, who had been gone since
morning to q town distant = few miles
from Dame. His business was to col
lect . debt. and he expected to bring
home large sum Of money. and his
wife now remembered. with . feelil g
Of unessiness. that she had seen him
arm himself with pair Of pistols
1t was about six O'Clock and Madame
Aubrey went 70 her chamber accom-
panied by tie domestic with the iLt-n-
tion Of putting the little boy to bed.
This apartment. large and high. was
situated ON the second floor. looking
iuto the garden.
The night was . true November mig ht
black and gloomy. with torrents Of
rain. which beat continually upon the
window.
Madame Aubrey "a. upon low ch Air
ia the corner Of the fireplace. holding
upon her knees the little boy whom
she WAS undressing, While the servant
at the other enc of the room execa,ed
certain orders for her mistress.
The baby hal c-as.d his laughing
play aud already had closed his drowsy
eyes. The mother threw her eyes to-
ward the cradle to assure herself that
oil WAS prepared. At this moment the
fire blazsd up suddenly Snd threw a
strong light upon the bed exposed by
the little curtain. As MndAwe Aubrey
Looked she nearly fell from her chair; /;
under the bed close to the cradle in
which she had been about to deposit
her sleeping child. she now beheld tw,
great feet AhOd in course brogans.
In an instant the sense Of ber si,ua-
ton flashed across the mind of tho
young woman as If shown 10y flash
Of lightning. This hidden man no
doubt was thief. perhaps all ass-ssin-
she WAS alone. without help present or
soon TO be expected. for her husband
was rot to return until eight o. nine
o'clock aud it Was now bat little past
SIX What should she doy How should
she defend herselfy
Madame Aubrey had ulterc! no cry
she had not even novel. but the
servant making the sans discovery
might not show the same prudence.
The thisf probably intended to re.
main in his present position until the
middle Of the night. then to issue forth
and possess himself Of tho SUN brought
home by Monsieur Aubrey. But if
discovered and having no
opponents but two women. would prob.
ably make his escape. after securing
their silence by their death. Then who
knows but the servaD. herself was an
.ccnmplice; suspicious circumstances.
hitherto disresarded. returned with re-
ne wed violence TO the mind Of Madame
Aubrey.
All these thoughts passed through the
MUD Of the young mother in less time
than have occupied in telling. Before
many minutes had entirely passed. she
had decided upon her part in the terri
BILE drama. But she mus, get rid of
the servant.
You know. said she. without the
least faltcriug Of her voice. the dishes
which my husband prefers. aud l think
he will he well pleased to find u good
supper ready against bis return. had
forgotten to tell you about it before.
but 60 now and begin your preparations
and bcstow attention upon it,
After somc attempts at delay. which
doubled in Madame Aubrey AN unessi-
ness which she was obliged to conceal.
the girl Quilted tho chamber. Her
died away upon the stairs. and
her mistress found herself alone with
her child and those two terrible feet.
which, half seen in the now dying light
seemed rs immovable as the bedstead
itself.
She still remained sitting near the
with the baby on her lap. ad-
to him almost mechanically
words. and soothing him to
sleep, while her eyes never wandered
from the menacing feet. The little
fellow. tired Of his position. began to
cry for his cradle and its soothing mo.
tion; but tho cradle was close to the
slcovs. near 20 the feet. The young
mother conquered herself With violent
effort.
Come. then. my little child she
,Aid, aud rising from her chair. she
forced her tottering steps TO b. firm aud
went toward the slcove. Behold her
close to the ominous feet! She placed
the baby in the cradle. and with .
yoics which all her resolution could
hardly keep from trembling. she CON-
menced.t TO sing her usual lullaby to the
child. aud ss she sang. the
idea Was ever in her mind that each
word might be her last. At last the
boy slept souudly, and the mother re-
turned to her seat by the fire.
The clock struck seven. One hour
more. and Madame Aubrey may expect
A deep silence reigued in
the chamber. The infant slept peace
fully.
The half hour strikes. The snxions
watcher could have almost sworn that
il was two hours since il had struck
last. bot no; she knows that the c'eck
i, faithful. and there is still another
weary half hour before she may expect
her delivescr.
Madame Aubrey took book OF
religious meditstions from the chimney
piece above:ber head. and attempted to
read. Vain effort! Her eyes wander
ed continually from the page.
E;,ht o'clock sounded, and nobody