Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-11-22
The False Alarm.

quiet, rural DelgnOorHoou III tue Vlctu-
ity of Boston than Hope Hill. 1t is not
a high hill, but rather series of easy
rises and falls, the rising gradually
gaining on the fall until tolerable ell
ovation is reached, whence widespread
view of Boston and the harbor can be
enjoyed. The residences scattered over
three knolls, or built on the slopes of
the meadows where, ten years ago, with
only few exceptions, plain cottage
houses, let at low rentals to that class
of trades people who prefer to endure
the drawback of the lack of city con-
venience, rather than lose the precious
privilege of sleeping in the pure fresh'
air. One of these unpretending resi-
dences was situated on the highest part
of large orchard at the terminus of a
winding lane, now changed into pre-
tentious avenue, with handsome brick
houses adorning both sides of the wild
ened roadway. At that time there were
no other houses down the lane; it led
to Mr.. Stanhope's, and there stopped.
A large orchard spread around the
house, and on both sides on the lane,
and as some fine cherry trees grew close
about the house it had the appearance
of very great seclusion. 1t was a sin
gle house, with but two parlors and a
kitchen on the ground floor, whose win
dows in the gable of the steep old roof
might be seen from many points glis-
tening in the morning OF setting sun.
Mr.. Stanhope was clerk in bank
ing house. He was widower with one
pretty daughter, Hester by name, liv-
ing quiet, retired life. He was able
to afford servant to save his daughter
from the hard offices of housekeeping,
and in fact to give her sense of COM
panionship in her lonely life, for he was
often absent from an early hour in the
morning till late at night. One winter
evening, Peter Stanhope come down tc
tea at seven o'clock, with a smiling
face. He brought an invitation to Hes
ter to witness some private theatrical:
at the house of Mr.. Smythe, one of the
firm" by which he was employed. II
was for that very evening. Mrs
Smythe had apologized for the short
ness of the invitation and had explain
ed that the performance was the sud
den whim of some visitors Of her daugh
ter's who had taken part in similar
entertainment at their own house, anC
it was not until they were satisfied tina
they were likely to accomplish any rep
utation worthy of spectators that th,
Miss Smythes ventured to invite an,
friends to see it, They liked Heste
Stanhope, and knew how seldom amuse
ments came in her way; they had yer.
vividly impressed upon their father tn
imperative necessity of not forgetting t.
deliver the note of invitation. 1t was
friendly note, assuring Hester no fresl
toilettes were expected, just to come il
her "home DRESS" and not to be late
than eight o'clock. So the father AM
daughter hurried over their simple meal
and when Mr.. Stanhope went to hir
or borrow a carriage to take them t
Mr.. Smythe's distant residence, Heste
fastened joyfully to her room to max
such change in her attire as her slende
wardrobe permitted. She had been thu
pleasantly occupied for about twent
minutes, had put on neatly fttin
plain brown silk with a plain collar
and was studying the effect of this {
That colored ribbon to make prett
finish at her throat, when she heard
step on the stairs, Enthusiastically man
step. and hastily opened her door, e,
claiming, "What, papa, back already ?
when she saw it was strange man al
preaching. If she felt frightened 81
did not show it. sis 1T the carriage ?
she said. not knowing why she said i
or what to say.
"Yes, Miss" said the man. "Yo1
father has sent for your purse to p;
the driver
Then Hester knew the man was
housebreaker, because he had on
guessed at her meaning. He eyed h
all over, she standing firmly holdil
the door handle. If she had had
any article of jewelry, it is probable t
man would have seized hold of he
but Hester possessed neither rings n
bracelets, and her brooch lay on h
bureau.
"Jane, come here" she called, in
steady voice, and as she called, sol
shawl or dress fell on its peg, making
sound as of some one moving behl
her. The man made one irresolute st
'e backwards, and on the instant Hest
u availed of the movement to close
door again and bolt It, Her trepie
&c tion became SO great she did not KIN
= what to do next. Hurriedly she dragg
the heavy bureau against the door,
If the man was using his strength to fol
it open. Then next she ran the b.
>? stead against the bureau, lest his gre
I'd brute strength might move the SIM