The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1882-08-16

peu INTO the room. amy ielt ner-
self growing white with fear, but she
raised her poker threateningly; for a
moment they stared at each other In
silence, then the man spoke.
"Who the are you?"
Amy tried to shrek for help, but
the sound died away in her throat;
she was to frightened to speak or
move.
Presently he came towards her.
"Will you please lower the poker,
or else move away from the sink2 l
would like to come there and wash
my hands," he said, looking very
much inclined to laugh.
Was ever such effrontery known be-
fore2 Still speechless, Amy moved
around to what looked to be an out
side door.
Don't glare at me in that fright.
full way" he went on, with a glance
into her terror-stricken eyes.
Then came hearty laugh, which
treasured Amy very little. Ger
tainly, this was most extraordin-
ary burglar, or else there was some
ridiculous mistake. She would flee
to Mrs. Gates protection at all
events, she thought, dropping her
weapon, and tugging away at the
huge bolt with her trembling fingers.
By this time the young man had
finished his ablutions, and presented
quite different appearance,
81 am Mr.. Ackerman's brother"
he said politely; che asked me to re-
main in his house tonight, as a
means of protection during his alb.
sence."
"Mr. Ackerman has no BROTHER
contradicted Amy, stoutly.
"Are you sure of that2"
Certainly l am. Mrs. Alderman
has just made me visit; she would
have mentioned him if such q per-
son existed"
"Can it be that you are Aunt Het-
typ"
Aunt. Hetty, indeed"
Amy was finding courage and
voice fast enough now.
II beg your pardon" said Tom;
"but Mollie told me she was going to
visit her Aunt Hetty, and you said
she had been visiting you; thence
my mistake"
II am Mrs. Ackerman's sister,"
"Strange l never heard her speak
of you'll However, l am sorry l
frightened YOU. Miss-Miss Arden,
and if you will allow me, l will ex-
plain matters. / am a bookkeeper
at Bottoms hardware establishment"
"You looked more like d boot
black" interrupted Amy.
"or a burglar" added Tom. "Well,
as I was saying, I am bookkeeper,
but there was press of work in the
foundry tonight, and as they hap
ened to be short Of hands, l offered to
stay and assist; this accounts for my
late arrival, also for my blackened
face and hands,"
He looked very much like indulg-
ing in another hearty laugh, but re-
strained himself at the sight of
Amy's white, distressed face.
81 am afraid I was rude," she said,
"but it was such shock to me; l am
very tired and"
Tom sprang to her side, or she
would have fallen from sheer exhaus.
tion. He helped her over into the
parlor, brought refreshments and
wine from Mollie's generous store
room, and they were soon talking
matters over quite calmly. 1t was
after two o'clock when Tom proposed
to go and ask Mrs. Gates to come ov-
er for the rest of the night, but Amy
protested against this. saying she
was not afraid if he would remain. in
the house.
Mollie was almost beside herself
when size came home and found how
affairs had gone in her absence; cry.
ing one minute over Amy's fright,
laughing the next over Toms graph
ic description of the same. It was
some time before they settled down
ihtoanything like quiet.
As the days and weeks went by
Mollie could not determine whether
certain plans Of hers were to prosper