The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-07-15
NIGHT OF HORROR.

"A MUTT Or I7OfRORs
"And you are sure you Will not be afraid?"
they asked for the hundredth time, as they
leaned from the carriage 10 bid me goodbye.
"But then, added mother, reassuringly,
"thcre is no occasion 20 ne, with three ser
wants in the house as good as cold. Besides,
no one can possibly have heard Of our going
tonight, as. we decided so suddenly; so it
will not be known that you are alone"
"No," replied, laughing, 81 will not be
afraid. Phil viii be here until ten, you
know, and after that l shall sleep until
broad daylight"
So they left me, and after hearty supper
I sat upon the porch and waited, with no
more fear in my heart than if Caesars
Guards had been stationed in the very yard.
Afraid indeed ~ exclaimed, Indignantly;
then forgot all about il, and thought only of
him who was coming. Even Phil seemed
worried over my being left alone, and wanted
to drive back for his sister to keep me COM
pany; but / only laughed at his nonsense
until he realized how silly it all was. As he
was leaving the moon shone down upon us
fall, round and bright.
"The very idea said, "of robbers upon
such night? Don't you know they hate
the light ?"
lie took my hand gently between his own,
and slipped over my finger magnificent
ring
There have turned robber myself" he
said "and your father is my victim. 1 have
robbed him of you"
Even in the moonlight it flashed brilliantly
as turned to look at il.
81 have read somewhere" he went on
lightly, "that every wedding ring worn rep
resents mans impudence and woman's
folly. Do you think that of our engage
ment?"
well, under ether circumstances, might"
I returned, laughing carelessly, "but you,
oh, I have known you so long. That makes
all the difference in the world, you know. 1
could never grow up with another sweet
heart. have grown mp with you"
And then, well then he became serious,
and again anxious about my staying in the
house with only the servants.
at seems almost cruel to leave you alone,
little woman, brave as you are" he said ten
derIy. "Are you sure you are not afraid? Is
there any money or other attraction for
thieves about the house just at this time?"
"Only my ring" l returned, flashing it in
the light.
He covered that with his hand and then
continued:
at is generally known that your father at
times handles considerable sums of money;
but there is no occasion to suppose that any
is on hand at PRESENT."
eyes, l remember there are some bonds in
the house now / am to lock them in my
room tonight, and father will place them in
bank tomorrow.
"And is this ?" he asked anxiously.
"No; Of that 1 am sure"
"Thon there can be no danger. ! would
leave you pistol, only you are so unskillful
you might shoot yourself instead of the rob-
ber But there cannot possibly be any dan
GER" he reiterated, and STOPPING over kissed
our ring, and then was gone.
l know not how long l lad slept when I
heard noise as if some one rubbing and
Juggling in the effort of climbing and then
shadow fell in the room from The roof OF
the porch. l turned my head but slightly,
and there was a figure in the very act of
raising the window. If they only spare my
life, prayed silently, they can take all else.
and then thought of my beautiful ring. 1t
lay in the full glare of the moonlight. as nv
hand rested upon the coverlid; but the win
dow had beea noiselessly slipped up by this
time, and one masked head Was already in
side, so | dared not even move my hand be-
meath the cover. The bonds were in q small
cabinet, which had placed on the mantel-
piece before retiring. The two mufaed forms
made directly for that, which could be plainly
seen in the pale light.
Here it is now" came in distinct
whisper. "Is there anything else worth the
troubl- 2"
Nothing worth the risk" the other re-
piled, except" and then they both
looked at my hand. One figure approached,
andstooping over, dropped his mask. 1t was
the work of n second to replace it, but in
that tine had recognized Phil. He looked
me full in the face
"You saw me-" he said, in an undertone,
but the world shall never know and taking
rope from his companion, he commenced
flashing me to the bed. l felt that it meant