The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-12-18

anus whose rect leave no traces on the
sea sand or the winters snow" and
whose presence only the watch-dogs
know. And can assure you that with
the storm, and our evenings entertain
ment, weak minded folks like we were
in small humor for sleep when sleep
time came; and | fancy that even the
gentlemen looked forward with more
than usual satisfaction to their nightly
cigar in the library to have soothing
effect not wholly unwelcome. As the
maid was lighting our bedroom candles,
heard Dick Francis say, in answer to
some question of Uncle Philips: emo
sir, they've not caught him yet; heard
the grooms saying this afternoon that
they had traced him into this neighbor-
hood, and thought he must be in hiding
somewhere hereabout. l haven't frag-
ment of my usual sympathy with justice
hunted men, in his case. The man is
cold-blooded scoundrel, and | hope
they'll have him-the sooner the BETTER
"Of whom are you speakingP" sever.
al of us asked, in a breath.
"Of that rascal, Burroughs, who es'
capped from the county jail last Thurs.
day." said Dick. "The one who beat
and robbed that old man al
Lester-left him for dead, you know
and 1 believe they had Other
charges to bring forward against
him at his trial next week. Some of the
best men of the force are on his track,
and 1 don't think he'll slip through
their fingers. 1t is a puzzle to me,
though, where he can be in hiding here,
abouts; the country is so open, should
think he'd find it hard work to keep
cover"
The gentlemen were still discussing
the matter when we left them. AS ]
stopped on the upper landing to say
goodnight to Eieanor-her room was at
the opposite end of corridor from
mine-a blast of wind struck the great
staircase window behind us; and one of
the shutters, partially torn from its fas-
tening, came crashing against the glass
with a noise that reverberated like a
thunderclap through the quiet house. l
threw both arms around Eleanor, with
a terrified scream; and the next mo-
ment, realizing my folly, and weak
from the nervous strain of the evenings
talk, burst into passion of hysterical
crying.
"My ar!'' said Eleanor, "my
dear! ''-and held me to her, smoothing
my hair with her strong warm hand.
{" You must not stay alone such night
as this, in that great room of yours, you
foolish child" she said "Why, we
should have you in brain fever before
morning, Ellice! What do you say to
my making you visit for the nightp 1
might be useful in tying up shutters, you
know, or soaring hobgoblins; and you
might find little leisure to sleep. Shall
Gomez" 8. 7.
tearfully eptreated her to come
| was not a heroic young person,
you may perhaps have remarked
and we were soon established in the
great room was then occupying. l
had given up my own private and par
ticular little sbower''-a cosy, sunny
place opening directly from Aunt Hes
ter's room-to a small cousin, who, be-
ing still young enough to need occa-
sional peepings in upon during the night,
was naturally established as near Auntie
as possible. This beng the only room
then vacant, 1 was forced to take pos
session of it. And what room it was
Quite large enough, am sure, for a
small banqueting hall; it had been the
state bedchamber in colonial days. 1t
had too many doors for one even to be
sure one had counted them correctly
and every door, like the windows, was
curtained with some heavy, somber
drapery; and the floor and wainscotings
were of dark wood. You can fancy it
was cheerful sleeping-place for nerv-
GUS person, on stormy night.
We prepared for bed slowly; and
while was brushing out my hair by the
fire, Eleanor was "rummaging' hither
and thither about the room, bringing to
light its many quaintnesses, and SEEM
ing to enjoy herself heartily. Opening a
drawer in tall old cabinet which stood
near one of the curtained alcoves, she
CHANGED upon some odd bits of bric-a-
brac that interested her for she fingered
long over them. l noticed that one of
them, as she lifted it, seemed to have, in
the freight, the CLEAN of steel; and
was about to ask her what it was, when
the wind, suddenly scurrying down the
wide chimney, sent the Goals flying over
and beyond the hearth; and in the hur-
ry of gathering them up, forgot my
curiosity. ...-.....-... .....
Not long after, we blew out our can
dies; and, comforted and protected by
the sense of Eleanor's dear and strong
oompanionship, it was not long before 1
fell asleep.
l woke suddenly, with sense of sti-
fling and oppression, and became con-
scious that was struggling with both
hands to free myself from some weight
which was being close pressed against
my face. My eyes once fully open,
saw, to my amazement, that it was the
coverlid from whose pressure over my
mouth was struggling to free myself,
and that Eleanor's hand held it there.
She was very pale; there was no color
in all her face but the burning gray of
her eyes; and they were looking down
into mine with such command in them
to be silent and motionless as no spoken
word could have made more forceful.
In the moments pause, after my con-
seriousness fully came, heard the dis
tant clocks across the river strike one.
Then the storm, which had lulled mo-
ment, broke forth again with roar as
of loosened demons; and through the
tumult, Eleanor spoke, in whisper so
low that senses less terror-keen than