Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1879-04-09
I did not reply. but thOuphtfully

"that little box contains fafaabfe
paper-private papers-and | have
lost the key, or it has been stolen.
| should not wish to have you re.
member that | ever come here on
such an errand," she continued,
with some hesitation, and giving
me look which it was no difficult
matter to understand.
"Certainly madam, if you desire
it. II ] cannot forget your face, !
will at least attempt to lose the rec
objection of ever seeing it here
The lady bowed rather coidly at
what | considered q fine compli.
ment, and | proceeded to work, sat.
isfed that suddenly discovered
Partially for me had nothing TO do
with the visit.
Having succeeded, after much
filing and fitting, in turning the
lock, WAS seized with a curiosity
to get glimpse at the precious
contents of the box, and. suddenly
raising the lid, discovered q bundle
of letters and daguerreotype, as
slowly passed the box to its own.
er She seized it hurriedly, and
placing the letters and picture in
her pocket, locked the box, and,
drawing the veil over her face
pointed to the door. opened it,
and as she passed into the street,
she merely whispered:
"Rcmember!T
We met again, and have been
thus particular in describing her
visit to the shop to render probable
n subsequent recognition.
About two o'clock in the morning,
in the latter part of May following,
was awakened from sleep by a
gentle tap upon the window Of the
little room back of the shop, in
which | lodged. Thinking of burg
lars, | spraug out of bed, in a mo-
ment / was at the window, With a
heavy hammer in my hand, which
usually kept at that time within
convenient reach of my bedside.
"Who's there'7 | inquired, raising
the hammer, and peering out into
the darkness-for it was as dark as
Egypt when under the curse of Is
raels God.
"IIist!' exclaimed figue, step
ping in front of the window; Opel
the door; | have business with you.
"Rather past business hours,
should say; but who are yOu''
"No one that would harm you,
returned the voice, which | imagin
ed was rather feminine !Or burg
lars.
"And no one that CAM | replied
rather emphatically, by way of {
warning, as frightened my grip OF
the hammer, and proceeded to tn
door. | pushed back the bolt, ant
} slowly opening the door, discOvere'
the stranger already upon the steps
, "What do You wantf" | abrupt.
inquired.
} 81 will tell yOu.' answered tn
f same soft voice, sit you dare opc
the door wide enough for me t
enter
"Come i'm said l., resOlutel,
! throwing the door alar, and proceed
/ ing to light IA candle. Having SUI
, ceeded, | turned to examine til
; visitor. He was a small and neatl
4 dressed gentleman. with a heav
!, Raglan around his shoulders, an
!. IA blue navy cap drawn suspiciOusl
:. over the eyes. AS | advanced Il
f ward him, he seemed to hesitate
D moment, then raised the cap trOl
I his forehead and looked me curiou
I ~ in the face.
a did not drop the candle, but
!. acknowledge to little nervousne'
:, as hurriedly placed the light upC
t. table, and silently proceeded
It invest myself with two or thr'
V very necessary articles of clothin
IS AS the Lord liveth, my visitor vi
d lady, and the same for whom
1 had opened the little box about
% month before! Having complet,
Ie my toilet, | attempted to stamm
i an apology Tor my ruueness, ID
utterly failed. The fact is, ! VI
d COMPOUNDED.
ii, Smiling at my discontinue, s
Y, said:
p, disguise is useless; presur
II you recognize me''
N 81 believe told you, madame
n. should not soon forget your fa'
ar In what way can / server
"By doing halt an hours wo
ne before daylight tomorrow and
ne ceiving five hundred dollars
lie your labor was the reply.
of at is not ordinary work. said
or inquiringly, What commands
ly munificent compensation
as at is labor common to yC