Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-12-17
The False Alarm.

Great Rebellion, there was not q more
quiet, rural neighborhood in the vi
cinity of Boston than Hope Hill. 1t is
not high hill, but rather series of
easy rises and falls, the rising gradu-
ally gaining on the fall until tolera.
BILE elevation is reached, where wide.
spread view of Boston and its harbor
can be enjoyed. The residences scat
tered over three knolls, or built on the
slopes Of the meadows we're, ten years
ago, with only few exceptions, plain
cottage houses, let at low rentals to that
class of trades-people who prefer to en-
dure the drawback of the lack of city
convenience, rather than lose the
precious privilege OF sleeping in the
pure, fresh air. One of these unpre-
tending residences was situated. on the
highest Fart of large orchard at the
terminus OF winding lane, now
changed into pretentious avenue,
handsome brick houses adjoining both
sides of the widened 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 Of the lane, and as some fine
cherry trees grew close about the house
it had the appearance of very great Sc.
clusion. It was single house, with
but two parlors and kitchen on the
ground floor, with corresponding bed.
rooms over it, whose windows in the
gables Of the steep old roof might he
seen from many points glistening in
the morning or setting sun.
Mr.. Stanhope was clerk in q bank
ing house. He was q widower with
one pretty daughter, Hester by name,
living q quiet, retired life. He was
able to afford q servant to save his
daughter from the harder offices of
housekeeping, and in fact to give her
. sense of companionship 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 came down to tea at seven
o'clock, with q smiling face. He
brought an invitation for Hester to
witness some private theatrieals at the
house of Mr.. Smythe, one of the
" firm" by which he was employed. It
was for that very evening. Mrs.
Smythe had apoIogized for the short.
ness Of the invitation, and explained
that the performance was the sudden
within Of some visitors of her daueh.
ters, who had taken part in similar
entertainment at their own house. and
It was not until they were satisfied that
they were likely to accomplish any
reputation worthy of spectators that
the Miss Smythes ventured to invite
any friends to see it. They liked Hes
ter Stanhope, and knowing how seldom
amusemeAts came in her way, they had
very wildly impressed upon their
father the imperative necessity of not
forgetting to deliver the note of
invitation. 1t was friendly note, as
suring Hester that no fresh toilettes
were expected, Just to come in her
-" home Dress" and not to be later than
eight O'Clock. so the father and
daughter hurried over their simple
meal, and while Mr.. Stanhope went to
nlre or borrow carriage to take them
to Mr.. Smythe's distant residence,
Hester fastened joyfully to her room
to make such change in her attire as
her slender wardrobe permitted. She
had been thus pleasantly occupied for
about twenty minutes, and put on
neatly fitting plain brown silk with a
plain collar, and was studying the ef-
feet Of this or that colored ribbon to
make pretty finish at her throat, when
she heard q step on the stairs, unmis-
takably q mans step, and hastily
opened her door, enchanting, What
papa, back already? ?" when she saw
it was strange man approaching. T.
she felt frightened she did not show it.
" Is it the carriage ?" she said, net
knowing why she said it, or what to
Gay.
Yes, Miss" said the man. your
father has sent me for your purse to
pay the driver"
Then Hester knew the man was q
housebreaker, because he had only
guessed at her meaning. He eyed her
all over, she standing firmly holding
the door handle. If she had had on
any articles Of jewelry, it is probable
the man would have seized hold of her
Int Hester possessed neither rings nor
bracelets, and her brooch lay on her
eau.