Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-06-09

the office. He is to be there at work tS.
night until Very late.
Then he stepped into the buggy. and
they drove away down the path into
the darkness and the rain.
| did not send message to Harry.
however. Indeed, laughed little rs |
thought of fathers anxiety He WAS
almost as timid rs mother, after all.
was of rather easy, careless DISPOSE
ton. and really had not particle of fear
~ having the money in nv keeping.
And As we two sat there in the library
for long time after this. mother doing
in the big chair and | intent upon some
fancy-work which was anxious to finish
in time for friends birthday. forgot
altogether the package Of money that
lay at the bottom of my dress-pocket.
Joseph did not get back until nearly
ten o'clock. although it was only three
miles to the Junction, and he should
have been home long before that hour.
We thought little of that. however lie
had been with us for several years. and
| hal great confidence in his faithful
ness. 1t was not until atterward that
mother and learned tina; he had re-
Gently been led into bad company. ami
that father had several times had angry
words with him about his habits.
Joseph slept in the house; and for that
reason it had seemed to me quite un-
necessary that Harry Randall should be
there also. When the clock struck ten.
mother arose. declaring it was time IL
90 to bed. She Went into all the lower
rooms to See that the windows and doors
were fastened. and then came back IL
the library for me. But l did not feel
sleepy. and wanted very much to get on
with my work; So | begged her TO go up
stairs without me. promising to come up
in the course of an hour.
The clock struck eleven almost before
l 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, near the
lamp. At my left. a little way of
against the wall, was father desk. with
books and papers scattered upon it. and
the battery at one end. Opposite me
We're two long windows that opened
upon the side piazza. Over these were
thick curtains. closely drawn. which did
not shut out the sound of the pelting
storm outside. Directly behind me was
the hall-dOOr standing. as usual, wide
open. Just then heard. or fancied
heard, Il low sigh or breath out in the
hall. turned my head instantly. but
did not see any person; and listening in
tently. heard no farther sound. felt 4
little uneasy and smiled tO,mysclf at nv
nervousness; then took up my work
again. had not quite finished what
had set myself to do. l had not taken
three stitches when laid the work down
again. There was no Use denying it or
laughing at myself. For some reason
there had suddenly come over me a
strong feeling of nervousness and dread.
1t seemed as if | realized. as had not
before that evening, the fact that | was
sitting all alone down stairs in the house,
at eleven O'Clock at night, with large
sum of money in my pocket. glanced
at the desk. Possibly Harry was still at
work at the office. Ii he was, u Single
sentence over the wire would call him.
Twas just getting up to go to the desk
to signal and see if he was at the mill.
when something occurred that seemed
to turn ME cold and motionless as stone
in an instant.
Behind me, so close that ! knew il
must have come from the threshold OF
the hall-doOr. low. hoarsc voice. that
l knew, without seeing the speaker,
must be that Of desperate and wicked
man. broke the stiffness and babe me
"Good-evening!'
For moment, as l say, | felt as
though had been turned 10 stone Then
the voice, speaking again. seemed al
least to restore the life in me. and to sci
my heart to beating violently. The
language that the man used was moi
even rs good English rs. in attempting
to reproduce it. I find myself writing.
Don't be frightened. miss. beg OF
ye not ter be frightened. All ye've got
ter do is ter keep still, an not hair Of
yer pretty head shall be harmed"
Then turned my head, half-wheelins
my chair at the same time, and saw
standing in the doorway. large
brutal-lOOking man. altogether as ugly
and ill-cOndtioned, and fearful-looking
O person as had ever seen.
Naturally enough opened my lips to
uttera cry. but he stopped me by single
threatening motion OF club he carried
in his hand.
"St!" he fiercely hissed. "If you
raise single scream. I'll strike We a
senseless Us yer mother is up stairs"
These last words changed for the mo-
ment the nature of my fear, and gave
me strength to speak.
What haveyou done to my mother?'
l demanded. excitedly. "Do you mean
have you killed her?'
He uttered sort of low laugh.
"No. my dear; but she was wakin'
up. so we had ter use the chlOrofOrm
An you must keep still. or you'll be
served the same way. Yer see, it's jest
here
He drew step nearer and seemed
disposed to explain matters.
"What we want is some money that
yer father brought down from Palmer
Yesterday. Maybe yer don't know about
it; but We do, an we know he left il
in ther house when he went off To-
night. My friend is up stairs loskin' fol
it this minute. All we want is the mon
ey. We don't mean harm to nobody. "
sha'n't be touched if We behave ycrsell
an keep quiet
Somewhat reassured by this. and hav.
ing had time. while he had been speak.
ing, to collect myself. was now able to
assume an appearance at least of calm
ness. l took up my embroidery and
went on working-or pretending tC
wOrk-at tho pattern | was embroider-
ing. think the action helped me, too;
for presently found myself really quite
calm, and. with GOODNESS and resolu.
tion that can hardly believe in now. as
/ recall it. turning over in my mind
what | ought to do. What would these
men do when they found, as they very
soon would find. that the money was
not up stairs? They would BE- disap.