The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-03-24

port of the midnight depredations of the robbers coming to her ears, her fears in- creased in consequence.
 Early one Saturday morning letter was brought to Mir. Barton informing him that his father, who resided some thirty miles distant, was lying dangerously III, and that if his son wished to see him be- fore hendied he must come as speedily as possible This letter gave great uneasi- ness to Mir. Barton, for, apart from the grief naturally occasioned by his fathers situation, his wife would be obliged to stay alone to take charge of the gate, and it would be impossible for him to return until the following day. But he was im- pelled to go; and when he stated his in- tention to his wife, he endes-ored .e soothe and calm her fears with all req soning and words of comfort at his com mand. It WAS long before he could ven- lure to leave her, so much did she ap- pear [, dread his so doing-and nothing short of the strong necessity of the cir cumstAnce in which he was placed, could have caused him to do so. -
 When he had gone, As each moment sped by, Mrs. Barton felt her fears in- creasing, and, as though to add to the loneliness of her sltuation-the mail coach having passed at the time when the letter was delivered-not a single hu- man being came near the place. Long and weariiy the hours seemed to pass, as her terror increased more and pore. IL was bitter cold day in the latter part of December, and the snow lay to a consid- erable depth on the frozen ground. Al length to her great relief the butcher made his appearance, and so terrified had she now become that she determined 10 ask him to sit up with her until her husbands return.
 Had it not been that her fears had taken such firm possession of her imag- nation, as 10 completely overpower her better judgment she would not have formed such resolution as this: for the butcher was not, by any means, pos sesscd of a countenanoe calculated to prepossess any one in his confidence. He was thick set, burly man, about fifty years of age. whose dark k-looklng feature, were deeply indented with the scars oi the smallpox, and ever expressed a rest less, suspicious. uneasy look. And. what added to the almost fcrocity of his ap pearance, he had two small, keen. glanc- ing black eyes. which were almost Ind beneath the shaggy covering of his eye brows; and from beneath which they ap- pearcd wlth very sinister expression But despite the vilainy of Mr. GontIan's countcnanee. SD terrihed had she become coupled with the familiarity accustomed from his weekly visits to the house. she formed the resolution, we have sad, with full confidence that she would feel per feetly easy Tn ner mind should ne accedt to her request.
 ''l am so glad you are come, Mir. Con tran. she sad. IS the butcher reached the house. flor am almost terrified to death. John has gone to see his father who IS not expected to live. and he will not return until tomorrow and as we have got more than 100 in the house am afraid of the robbers breaking into the house and murdering me to get It Will you not stay and keep me company until John returns
 l During the hrst part of Mrs. Barton's address, the butcher appeared apathetic and unintercsted: but the momen, she mentioned the possession of the money he started, and his keen eyes shone with more than their usual brlllIancy.
 Il am very sorry" he replied, that am unable 10 do as you wish. for l feel for the loneliness of your situation But the fact Is. have yet to leave meat ai several places considerable distance from here. which will detain me to so late an hour, that could no, possibly do as you desire. Bu; Il tell you what l will I in l.. never watched d house will leave him wl,h you; and will agree To forfeit my head II he lets any one enter the house while he Is there.
 Obliged to submit to this arrangement, Mrs. Barton thanked hum for the offer though not feeling so well satisfied as she would had he stayed himself.
 Dash" sad the butcher. as he turned toward the dog. which was a large. pow eriully built one of the breed called mas tffs. stay here. and take care that no one enters"
 The dog replied by wagging his tail and looking up into his masters face with an intelligent expression. He then lay down on the carpet near the fire. and, stretching himself a, iull length, ap- peared to be perfectly at home.
 When the butcher had gone, Mrs Bar ton began to caress the dog, endeavor- ing to attract its notice, but m vain, for 1t remained stubbornly unmindful of her attempts quite inactive. as though without sense or motion. She then offered ii piece of meat, with the same want of success. It would neither appear to recognize her presence ortouch the proffered food. This behavior on the part of the dog revived Mrs. Barton's fears anew, for she thought lift remained thus inactive now. it would do SO should any one try to enter the house.
 Al length, as night closed in, she re- tired to her couch in the back apart ment, leaving the dog still lying impas- sive where he had lain since his master $ departure. But in vain did she try to sleep Now that the dark stiffness of night envelopeo the scene with its misty and almost supernatural shadows. her terrors increased tenfold And the weather had become still more bleak and stormy than Il had been that day. The falling snow had given place to mixture