The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-03-29

Ten mindtes later as father was
going down the steps to get into the
carriage, he turned back to me, and
holding his umbrella so that mother
should not hear, he said:
"Ive been thinking, Christie, that
young Randall better come and sleep
at the house. I shall feel easier about
you. You can telegraph him at the
Office. He is to be there at work to-
night until very late"
Then he stepped into the buggy, and
they drove away down the path into
the darkness and the rain.
I did not send message to Harry,
however. Indeed, laughed little as
/ thought OF fathers anxiety. He was
almost as timid as mother, after all.
/ was of rather easy, careless dis
position, and really had not a particle
of fear of having the money in my
keeping. And as we two sat there in
the library for long while after this,
mother doing in the big chair and
intent upon some fancy-work which 1
was anxious to finish in time for q
friends birthday, I forgot altogether
the package of money that lay at the
VI luJ OIObb POChCbs
Joseph did not get back until nearly
10 o'clock although it was only three
miles to the Junction, and he should
have been long home before that hour.
We thought little of that, however.
He had been with us for several years,
and l had great confidence In his faith
| fitness. It was not until afterward that
mother and / learned that he had re
Gently been led into bad company, and
| that father had several times had angry
words with him about habits.
Joseph slept in the house; and for
that reason it had seemed to me quite
unnecessary that Harry Randall should
be there also.
When the clock struck 10 mother
arose, declaring it was time to 60 to
bed. She went into all the lower rooms
to see that the windows and doors were
fastened, and then came back to the IL
brary for me.
But did not feel sleepy, and wanted
very much to get on with my work; so
begged her to go upstairs without
me, promising to come up in the course
of an hour.
The clock struck IL almost be
fore knew the time had passed.
laid down my work and counted the
strokes without looking at the clock
itself.
was sitting at the center-table, neal
the lamp. At my left, little way of
against the wall, was fathers desk, with
books and papers scattered upon it, and
the battery at one end.
Opposite me were two long windows
that opened upon the side piazza. Over
these were thick curtains, closely drawn
which did not shut out the sound o.
the pelting storm outside. Directly
behind me was the hall-dCor standing
as usual, wide open.
Just then heard, or fancied 1 heard
low sigh or breath out in the hall.
turned my head instantly, but did no
see any person and listening intently
heard no further sound. l felt httl,
uneasy and smiled to myself at my ner
voQsness then took up my work again
I had not quite finished what / had Sc
myself to do.
/ had not taken three stitches whel
, / laid the work down again. There wa
no use denying it or laughing at myself
4 For some reason there had suddenl
, come over me a'strong feeling of mel
vousness and dread. 1t seemed as if
realized as had not before that even
ing the fact that was sitting all alon
: down stairs in the house, at IL o'cloc
a at night, with large sum OF money /
my pocket. -,
n I glanced at the desk. Possibl
n Harry was still at work at the Office
s II he was, single sentence over th
b wire would call him.
was just getting up 10 go to tn
a desk to signal and see if he was at tn
q mill, when something occurred thu
v seemed to turn me cold and motionleI
e as stone in an instant.
q Behind me, so close that ] knew
q must have come from the threshold
70 the hall door, low, hoarse voice, tn
n knew, without seeing the speake
I must be that of desperate and wicke
,t man, broke the stiffness and bade n
4" Good-eveningl"
'. For a moment, as / say, l felt
Il though I had been turned to ston
,e Then the voice, speaking again, SCENE
"a at least to restore the life in me, and
4 set my heart to beating violently.
,d The language that the man used W
en- not even a5,good English as, in nattemI
3, ing to reproduce it, 1 find mys'
q, writing.
1s "Don't be frightened, miss. I beg
to ye not ter be frightened. All ye've 6
YER do is ter keep still, an not hair
w YER pretty head shall be harmed"
of Then turned my head, half-whe
Q, ing my chair at the same time, and sa
to standing in the doorway, large bl
v. tal-looking man, altogether as ugly a
is ill-conditioned and fearful-looking
ot person as had ever seen.
SO Naturally enough opened my lips
on utter a cry, but he stopped me by
single threatening motion Of a club
81 carried in his hand.
ok +" Str he fereely hissed. If J