The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-11-01
"A MIDNIGHT RECOGNITION.

Some time ago the wife OF o merchant
was suddenly awakened in tho night by
the sound of footsteps in her bedroom,
and the next momeut the light of
dark lantern flooded her face so near that
she could almost feel The heat and hear
the suppressed breathing of the intrud-
er. Her husband was from home, and
the only other person in tho house ex-
copt herself was servant girl, who slept
In the story beneath. Her presence of
mind did not, however, forsake her. It
doubtless requires great amount Of
resignation and fortitude in woman to
listen to, without screaming, the ran.
sacking Of her store of valuable laces
and the appropriation Of her jewolry;
but the lady, very nationally deemed her
life worth all the lace and diamonds in
the world, quietly closed her Dyes and
awaited the result.
The light was withdrawn from her
face, and she heard the rnstling of silks,
the picking of locks, and occasionally a
low whisper of surprise or disappoint-
ment Then there was silence for full
minnte-it seemed an hour to hcr-and
n soft footstep approached the bed, and
the glare of tho lantorn again fell upon
her face. Through tho closed lids of
her eyes she saw the light, but remained
calm and motionless in it's scrutinizing
rays, fearful that tho least movement
might imperil her life. What moment
of suspense Tho light was removed
from her face and sho felt that some ono
was leaning against tho bed. Still she
remained mOtionlcss. nor did she stir
when tho warm breath of tho burglar
famed her check. Not until his lips
hnr Il i
and half shrick:
"Who is in this room?"
"1ush T. responded voice in n
hoarsc whisper. while q rough land was
laid on her shoulder: "Spcak nothing
and fear nothing"
The next moment sho heard thosoupd
of retrcating footsteps and the creaking
of shuttcr, then all was still aQain'
Satisfied that she was alone she spranp
from, tho bed and touched q liebtcd
match to tho burner, thon sank into n
chair, completely prostrated with tho |
danger through which sho had passed. |
Recovering Sho looked round to asccr-
tain Of what she had been plunderd.
ThC drawers were all in the utmost
butt strange to say, little or
nothing was missing. A casket OF lew.
clry was open on the bureau, but the
ana gold were all there. Be-
side the caskct she discovered little
roll of paper containing Il ring which had
been given to her many years before,
and which had been in her possession
ever since. Half bcwildcred mt the sim
rular proceeding shc was about 20 cast
he paper from her when her eyo caught
The marks of apencil uponit She care
fully opened it and read:
''This ring, which once was mine,
tells me i'll whose house l am. You
know | am nh outlaw-thc world knows
it, and [ do not care to deny it; but.
fallen rs am, I cannot rob you, Maria
Forgive me and God bless yon.
"HENnY."
This explained NIL. Falling on her
knees, she prayed for him who had
written the scroll. And who was
"Henry?'
Ten years ago he loved that same
Maria, and he wonld have made her his
she had promised to bo his
had he not taken to drink and gambling
and finally forged the name OF his ON
ployer, for which ho WAS given n homo
in convict prison When ho was
wor"!.y of her love ho gnvcher that ring.
md she had kept it in remembrance of
what he had been. This is the story
of the ring.
On the return Of the husband tho wife
related to him the adventure and showed
him the note; but he never ATTEMPTED
to arrest the burglar. - Chicago Iri-
June.