The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-05-20

nOU ureaulul people, BIS
Perhaps, Maude, even they are more
sinned against than SHINING. At all
events, tramps seldom, If ever, come
near u.s. You see we lie off the main
road. The lane leads to the farm, and
nowhere else."
But,' pursued Maude, that fact
would be all the worse for us If tramp
should come here"
" Really 1 replied, 81 shall get
quite angry with you If you pursue the
subject further. TO put an end, how
ever, to all your fears you shall come
with me, and we will bolt the outer
doors'''
The alacrity with which Maude rose
from her chair was good proof that
the proposed measure was of a welcome
nature, SO, proceeding from the drawing
room, we walked to the lawn, and,
fastening the gate which opened on the
lane, we re-entered the house. We
then locked, bolted and barred the back
premises, saw that all the the windows
were fastened, and then came back to
the drawing-room.
1 must confess that when we had Sc
cured all the approaches to our citadel,
/ was myself good deal more at ease
than l had been previously.
Slowly the autumn sun sank beneath
the range of hills fronting our dwelling,
tinging the sky with radiant hues that
varied momentarily.
could have sat for hours watching
the numerous hues that swept across the
heavens but with the uprising moon
and gathering twilight L clearly saw
that Maude was once more getting
nervous.
Wont you close the shutters ?" IN
quired Maude.
"Not unless you particularly desire
it DEAR" 1 replied.
But 1 do" she answered.
was about to shut out the moon
light view, and make a desperate effort
to change the conversation, when
Maude, who had her eyes fixed on the
lawn, suddenly clutched my arm, and
involuntarily retreated step. Sis,"
she said, "what is that moving in the
laurels ?"
Hooked and in a moment observed
emerging from the shelter of the lau-
rels, but still remaining beneath the
dense shadows of the overhanging tree,
what seemed to be the figure of man.
He looked in height very short, almost
dwarflike, but was stout of frame, and
appeared dressed in white, or without
a coat and seemed to be in his shirt
sleeves; being alone seen as he raised
his arms in freeing himself from the
bushes.
"Oh, Sis," exclaimed Maude, " it is
man. Let us give him all our jewelry 4,
or mayhap we may be murdered ere any
of our people may come back"
Maude," 1 cried " for heavens sake
endeavor to retain your senses. You
yesterday remarked that the double
barreled gun hangs over the mantle
piece in the kitchen, and asked me if
it were loaded Do you think that you
could fetch it to me while keep watch
here ?"
She nodded L knew her freight pre-
vented her speaking. Clasping her
hands tightly within my own, and then
released it, said:
Bring it to me, then; the gun is
perfectly safe so long as you do not touch
the trigger
While Maude was gone it seemed to
me as though the figure drew closer !;
it was careful to remain within the
shadow of the tree, but it struck me as
exceedingly strange that, although the
white sleeved arms seemed continually
raised, as though their owner had just
aroused from sound sleep, could not
see the creatures head.
In very short time 1 heard Maude's
approaching footsteps. AS she placed
the gun in my hand l felt that her fin
gers were cold and trembling.
At that moment the mysterious being
came few PAGES nearer, and seemed
to have limping gait, whether from
natural infirmity or drunkenness could
not tell.
Throwing open the window, and
raising the gun, cried at the top of
my voice, " who's there ? Answer or
I'll fire."
A few seconds elapsed, but no response
came to my inquiry.
"Who are you 2" again shouted.
My fingers closed upon the trigger,