The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-10-18

the doors for no long
any doubt as to the real
guest. Everything went to
close confinement to the,u~-
the day the uncertain view I've had ever
obtained of his face the voice Of youth
and the assumption of old age; the spec.
ttacles which seemed so effectual dis
iepise-all, all! But my enlightenment
had come too late.
Tue grating sound continued, when
tsaddehly there came to me Q desperate
lcourage. I was alone, an unarmed girl,
but would confront those midnight
msrauders, possibly murderers, and COW
them by my very hslplessness. ~
/ / threw open my door and passed
swiftly down the hall. Yes, Mr.. Sage's
door was ajar. His room was empty.
ran on down the stairs. The dining.
room was in darkness, but ss crossed
the threshold light Jared up. Mr..
ISage stood beside the table, the obnox-
ious glasses gone, 8 pistol tightly held
lin his clenched hand.
/ now saw him as he was, man who
could not have attained his thirty iifth
year--a man both Young and singularly
Handsome, now that one could see bis
bright. flashing eyes.
Miss Margalet-" he began 10 q
tquick, alarmed tone, bat my wrath could
| 40 longer be repressed
d"Coward! traitor r. exclaimed.
But at that instant there was sudden
noise IS the window was opened, a blind
ling fash, deep g,osn, then my courage
fed and tainted When / opened my
eyes, Douglas Sage was holding me in
bis arms. snxiously bending over me.
"Poor Child" be nurmured tenderly.
"How dare you!' | cried, wrenching
myself from him; then, catching sight
of . policeman iI Uniform, ! added wild
ly, aArrest this man." and again tainted
away. ~
A long fever followed. For days
lay unconscious and delirious; they
would not let me talk, even after had
recovered my mental balance. Fresh
flowers and rare fruits filled my room
during the long period Of my convales.
cenca.
"Heleu, you must not!" I declared
cit is wrong to be so extravagant."
But, she only smiled, and my luxuries
we're more plentiful than before.
But one day as was sitting, dressed
Tor the 6rst, time, In q large easy chair,
here came quiet tap at my door.
sCome in =" l called
And then thought my delirium had
'etsrned, for 10 walked my robber.
lnrnsd deadly pale, and felt as though
niakt as@i~ ~disgrace mgaelf BIZ faieting
but somehow the 6rst tones OF his voice
reassured ne.
From his lips I then learned my mis-.
take; my delirium had revealed it all tc
him
Poor little girl!' he said.
And then he told me how, restless and
unable to sleep, he, too, had heard the
uuwoated sounds and stolen, down
stairs, pistol in hand, to discover the
cause.
Ny answering signal, then, was all
(my excited imagination, for Mr.. Sage
had been barely in time to save the
thieves from; entering, aud to put bul.
let through one mans leg and into an
others shoulder, to guarantee their cap
ture
A hot blush OF shame rose to my
lcheek as l listened and looked into thu
face of the man had suspected Of sucf
villainy. / understood now from whenc,
came the flowers and fruits, but, when
tried to thank him he would not let me
II cannot yet be sbsolved from my
|sin, Miss Margaret" he said "for dc
You know ] am not yet sure but that
shall turn thief and steal from this house
Its most priceless treasure
What could he mean, l wonder2 Why
did his words thrill me with new w,sudder
hsppiness And doubtless my reader
has guessed. yes. guessed rightly. Bu
there is more yet to tell; for one day
(when had grown, quite we'll and strong
lagsin, Helen came to me With the olt
sad look gone from the brown eyes ant
| . wonderful new light there.
4 aThe Eleventh has come home, Daisy,
she whispered, .and have seen Will. ]
was cruel mistake, dear. He never re
ceived my letter. Oh, Daisy! Daley!
am 80 happy J" .
! And then she broke down into gla'
tears. ss
Well, Will was sadly impatient. HI
said he had been cheated out OF year
!. enough-he must claim his bride 9
) once; and as / could not be left alone {
take care Of the silver, Douglas said b
must guard it with me-that had calle
fhim ! robber, and robber he must prov
II himself 49,. ~. s.
4 aBut darling" be added, "yop shar
1.-The crime; for it WAS you who stole m
heart long ere you had given me th
sweet gift OF yours in return r. 4.ss s